Our Mixed Flock Journey!

[WhoDatChick]

Good morning! That's probably because their feathers are so new. I do know that we had a mess of loose feathers at one point...but no naked chickens...

Oh, I guess like Bob said.. partial moult...

 

[drstratton]

Here are some pics of my setup... these pics show it best I think.. this is when I had five broodies ... one of them had to go in the baby coop cuz she was angry! The green wire I leave in there.. it rolls up to keep it out of the way so that space can be utilized while not in use...View attachment 2362431View attachment 2362433View attachment 2362436

That's such a nice setup! I remember when you were battling the broody's! They all seem to have settled down for you now!

 

[drstratton]

Oh, I guess like Bob said.. partial moult...

I'm sure that's what it was...I still have a bunch of feathers around the pen! I will get them all raked up when we do our fall cleaning!

 

[WhoDatChick]

That's such a nice setup! I remember when you were battling the broody's! They all seem to have settled down for you now!

Yes... haven’t had any since I rehomed the bantam Cochins which were always broody! It’s contagious as they say so others would fall in line ... I do think though that Rosemary was considering it recently and I was already planning on letting her hatch.... boy, that didn’t take long! But she probably read my thoughts and decided that although she’d like to sit for three weeks she really couldn’t commit to being a mama ... It’s a good thing that I rehomed my broodies... I can already see how much trouble Ima be in! What am I gonna do with all those roosters!

 

[drstratton]

Yes... haven’t had any since I rehomed the bantam Cochins which were always broody! It’s contagious as they say so others would fall in line ... I do think though that Rosemary was considering it recently and I was already planning on letting her hatch.... boy, that didn’t take long! But she probably read my thoughts and decided that although she’d like to sit for three weeks she really couldn’t commit to being a mama ... It’s a good thing that I rehomed my broodies... I can already see how much trouble Ima be in! What am I gonna do with all those roosters!

I was giggling to myself yesterday, I saw a post you made in my thread earlier this year about how good you were planning on being about not getting any new chickens...that commitment didn't last very long......and I'm glad it didn't! I've loved following your journey!

Yes, what to do with all those roosters! I certainly wasn't planning on 6 of them! I ordered one at the very beginning and they sent me an extra chick...which of course was another rooster! I then wanted a FBCM rooster, so took a chance on 4 new chicks and got 50/50, plus one turned into my sweet little olive egger and then my friend generously gives me 3 silkies...2 more roosters...I am overrun with roosters! The silkies are going for sure! A friend wants one of my FBCM, but I'm not sure when that will happen, so I'm thinking I will be keeping my 2 original BO and I definitely want to keep one of my FBCM! I think we might try and separate the FBCM & some of our hens to breed next spring, that way we know what we're getting! I really wish I had a Cream Legbar hen to breed to him! I might also try for more FBCM hens when I order, of course no guarantee's and I will probably get more roosters...

 

[Ribh]

Oh good. You got lots of extra comments on moulting. I had a thunk too, after WhoDat's comment about chickens not moulting their 1st year. All mine have but I get my POLs in autumn so by the next winter they are over a year old. Some of what will happen will depend on when your chicks were raised. My usual supplier often has chicks going into our winter, not so problematic here as we are subtropical & never see snow, & they start laying as my older girls take their rest. By the following winter they are ready to moult. It's why I have a staggered flock.

 

[drstratton]

Oh good. You got lots of extra comments on moulting. I had a thunk too, after WhoDat's comment about chickens not moulting their 1st year. All mine have but I get my POLs in autumn so by the next winter they are over a year old. Some of what will happen will depend on when your chicks were raised. My usual supplier often has chicks going into our winter, not so problematic here as we are subtropical & never see snow, & they start laying as my older girls take their rest. By the following winter they are ready to moult. It's why I have a staggered flock.

My flock was born on March 16, so I can possibly expect a molt just about time for them to start laying again...perfect timing...lol

I would like to get some new chicks in January, but I have a feeling that we might be on a trip to a warmer climate at that time...depending on any travel restrictions!

 

[drstratton]

I took a few update photos today!

Madeleine! Love this little surprise of mine...

Maximus

Marquis

 

[Ribh]

I took a few update photos today!

Madeleine! Love this little surprise of mine...
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Maximus
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Marquis
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I love blue & lavenders! Madeleine is gorgeous!

 

[drstratton]

I love blue & lavenders! Madeleine is gorgeous!

She is beautiful and such a sweet surprise...so glad she wasn't a Marans!