Pipd's Peeps!

[2ndTink]

In other news, ugh, I'm rather sad. I think that that last Judy egg has given up the ghost.

I'd mentioned that it was under Inara and she'd abandoned it a while back to sit on the eggs in the laying box. After that, I'd moved it under the other broody, Morena, but the two of them have been swapping nests back and forth this whole time, so it ended up under Inara again anyway. Well, yesterday Inara did it again. She abandoned her nest to sit on the golf ball that I had put in the laying boxes a week ago to entice the other girls into laying there instead of trying to lay in the broody nests.

I candled the two developing eggs last night after once again moving them under Morena, and I did see some faint movement in them both after Morena had warmed them up a little bit. But this morning I don't see any movement in the Judy egg, and I feel like the veining doesn't look as good as it did... but I'm not 100% sure there. I left it under Morena just in case, but I don't know if it's going to keep going. If it doesn't, then Inara's got a ticket straight to broody jail because I don't think she'll share the single chick left developing with Morena.

I do have a Blue pullet and a Splash cockerel I know for sure are out of Judy, so at least I have some part of her that can stick around, but I was kind of hoping for just one more little Judy booty. Oh, well.

I wish you had a few more Judy Booty chicks as well, so I can see them grow up. She really caught my eye but, your other birds are gorgeous as well.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

I wish you had a few more Judy Booty chicks as well, so I can see them grow up. She really caught my eye but, your other birds are gorgeous as well.

I may have given up too soon on it. Fortunately this is why I always opt to leave things incubating a bit longer just in case! I don't want to jinx it, but the veining doesn't look any worse this morning and I think I saw a little movement I believe they're due to hatch on Tuesday, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're delayed a day or two from Inara's shenanigans.



Anyway, picture of the day day 6. I had a few good ones this morning but I think the twerp squad wins out. This is, from left to right, Achernar, Louis, Rigel, and Feldon, the OEGB boys. I prefer to keep my mixed flock used to an afternoon free-range schedule just in case I have appointments or errands to run because I don't like to let my birds free-range unless I or at least someone is home and actually awake to keep an ear out for them. So, in the mornings when I don't have things to do away from the house, I instead let their little rooster flock out to free-range.

Runners up for today, here is Inara and Morena in their nests this morning, hard at work.

Reuben and Flury, a couple of old birds that hadn't gotten out of bed yet Flury had to have a booty trimming this morning, so that's probably why she's looking extra grumpy here. I thought for sure with as messy as she was so suddenly that she would have a fly strike starting, but thank goodness she didn't!

A moment captured seconds before disaster. One of the Easter pullets, with Nora in the background racing in to peck at her.

And... okay, this one is from last night at roost time, but here is Vega and Sumi getting snug down for bed. They for some reason insist on sleeping up here on the hutch where I put all of my random junk not currently in use like extra feeders and feed bags cut for winter window coverings instead of on a roost like normal chickens.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

The picture of the day today is going to be a throw back. Miss Flurian 'Flury' Floofle-Poofles has passed on. I'm not sure what exactly happened, but I suspect that something was going on with her, as I'd mentioned I had to trim her rear because it was very suddenly messy yesterday and what I hadn't mentioned was I had also noticed her being a bit dusky in the comb as well, and that the relatively intense heat of yesterday was too taxing on her aged and already ailing body. She passed away overnight, just a little over 8 years old.

One of my only two large fowl Cochins, Flury was grand and fluffy, but very much reserved. She had the sort of attitude where you could tell she didn't mind being handled, she just had a reputation to keep. Her glorious fluff was the densest and most delightful fluff of any bird I'd ever owned, perfect for hugging on and running your fingers through. But she begrudged such affection, responding with her characteristic scowl every time as if she disapproved.

That dense fluffiness was great in the cold months, but as a result Flury absolutely hated the heat. If we'd get any higher than about 80°F, Flury melted. It was because of her that I'd always say that temperature was the melting point of large fowl Cochins.

Flury was elegant in everything she did. Even during molt when she'd be walking around looking outwardly ridiculous, patchy or short on tail feathers, she carried herself with an air of elegance that could not be denied.

It was perhaps because of this air of elegance she had that she ended up with such silly nicknames as Floofle-Poofles, Floofins, Flury Floofy, etc. Despite it all, she was forever a high-class hen.

The flock is much smaller today, both in personality and in sheer mass of fluff.


We also sadly lost one of those weird chicks from that last hatch. It had not grown much if at all, so at about 4 weeks of age was still the size of a few days old chick. Because of this, I knew it was inevitable it would not live long. Poor little dear. The other two have grown, but still look odd and are feathering super slowly. I've left them in the little brooder and moved the other, 'normal' kids of that brood next door to start prepping them for going outside.


For a bit brighter spot in this post, the two eggs developing out under Inara and Morena have both internally pipped. Looks like I might get my one last Judy-booty after all I moved the eggs around so each hen should hatch one chick, and that way I should know for sure which is the Judy-booty as well.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

The picture of the day today is going to be a throw back. Miss Flurian 'Flury' Floofle-Poofles has passed on. I'm not sure what exactly happened, but I suspect that something was going on with her, as I'd mentioned I had to trim her rear because it was very suddenly messy yesterday and what I hadn't mentioned was I had also noticed her being a bit dusky in the comb as well, and that the relatively intense heat of yesterday was too taxing on her aged and already ailing body. She passed away overnight, just a little over 8 years old.

View attachment 3865020

One of my only two large fowl Cochins, Flury was grand and fluffy, but very much reserved. She had the sort of attitude where you could tell she didn't mind being handled, she just had a reputation to keep. Her glorious fluff was the densest and most delightful fluff of any bird I'd ever owned, perfect for hugging on and running your fingers through. But she begrudged such affection, responding with her characteristic scowl every time as if she disapproved.

View attachment 3865019

That dense fluffiness was great in the cold months, but as a result Flury absolutely hated the heat. If we'd get any higher than about 80°F, Flury melted. It was because of her that I'd always say that temperature was the melting point of large fowl Cochins.

View attachment 3865017

Flury was elegant in everything she did. Even during molt when she'd be walking around looking outwardly ridiculous, patchy or short on tail feathers, she carried herself with an air of elegance that could not be denied.

View attachment 3865018

It was perhaps because of this air of elegance she had that she ended up with such silly nicknames as Floofle-Poofles, Floofins, Flury Floofy, etc. Despite it all, she was forever a high-class hen.

The flock is much smaller today, both in personality and in sheer mass of fluff.


We also sadly lost one of those weird chicks from that last hatch. It had not grown much if at all, so at about 4 weeks of age was still the size of a few days old chick. Because of this, I knew it was inevitable it would not live long. Poor little dear. The other two have grown, but still look odd and are feathering super slowly. I've left them in the little brooder and moved the other, 'normal' kids of that brood next door to start prepping them for going outside.


For a bit brighter spot in this post, the two eggs developing out under Inara and Morena have both internally pipped. Looks like I might get my one last Judy-booty after all I moved the eggs around so each hen should hatch one chick, and that way I should know for sure which is the Judy-booty as well.

Awe. 8 years is an amazing chicken life. She was gorgeous.

Sorry to hear about the chick as well.

Sending good thoughts for the hatchlings.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

I just went and checked on the eggs and the non-Judy egg has externally pipped!!

I have an appointment with an advisor tomorrow for college and I get the feeling that the Judy egg is going to wait it out just long enough to hatch while I'm gone

 

[2ndTink]

The picture of the day today is going to be a throw back. Miss Flurian 'Flury' Floofle-Poofles has passed on. I'm not sure what exactly happened, but I suspect that something was going on with her, as I'd mentioned I had to trim her rear because it was very suddenly messy yesterday and what I hadn't mentioned was I had also noticed her being a bit dusky in the comb as well, and that the relatively intense heat of yesterday was too taxing on her aged and already ailing body. She passed away overnight, just a little over 8 years old.

View attachment 3865020

One of my only two large fowl Cochins, Flury was grand and fluffy, but very much reserved. She had the sort of attitude where you could tell she didn't mind being handled, she just had a reputation to keep. Her glorious fluff was the densest and most delightful fluff of any bird I'd ever owned, perfect for hugging on and running your fingers through. But she begrudged such affection, responding with her characteristic scowl every time as if she disapproved.

View attachment 3865019

That dense fluffiness was great in the cold months, but as a result Flury absolutely hated the heat. If we'd get any higher than about 80°F, Flury melted. It was because of her that I'd always say that temperature was the melting point of large fowl Cochins.

View attachment 3865017

Flury was elegant in everything she did. Even during molt when she'd be walking around looking outwardly ridiculous, patchy or short on tail feathers, she carried herself with an air of elegance that could not be denied.

View attachment 3865018

It was perhaps because of this air of elegance she had that she ended up with such silly nicknames as Floofle-Poofles, Floofins, Flury Floofy, etc. Despite it all, she was forever a high-class hen.

The flock is much smaller today, both in personality and in sheer mass of fluff.


We also sadly lost one of those weird chicks from that last hatch. It had not grown much if at all, so at about 4 weeks of age was still the size of a few days old chick. Because of this, I knew it was inevitable it would not live long. Poor little dear. The other two have grown, but still look odd and are feathering super slowly. I've left them in the little brooder and moved the other, 'normal' kids of that brood next door to start prepping them for going outside.


For a bit brighter spot in this post, the two eggs developing out under Inara and Morena have both internally pipped. Looks like I might get my one last Judy-booty after all I moved the eggs around so each hen should hatch one chick, and that way I should know for sure which is the Judy-booty as well.

What a beautiful girl your Flury Foofie-Poofies was. Thanks for sharing about her, I'm so sorry for your loss of her and the chick.

I am so happy well have one more Judy Booty chick! And yes, it will probably wait until you are away from home to hatch

 

[NagemTX]

We also sadly lost one of those weird chicks from that last hatch. It had not grown much if at all, so at about 4 weeks of age was still the size of a few days old chick. Because of this, I knew it was inevitable it would not live long. Poor little dear. The other two have grown, but still look odd and are feathering super slowly. I've left them in the little brooder and moved the other, 'normal' kids of that brood next door to start prepping them for going outside.

I have a chick doing the same thing! It's one my friend picked from my hatch from the bantam/Dusty's pen. It was almost killed by mom/Zilla the blue cochin because it got left out from her heat. Thought it wasn't going to make it in the brooder but it did but it's still really tiny to the point the wing feathers it has in are a 1/3rd longer than it's body. I told my friend to pick another because it might not make it.

So happy you have a Judy chick coming!

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

I have a chick doing the same thing! It's one my friend picked from my hatch from the bantam/Dusty's pen. It was almost killed by mom/Zilla the blue cochin because it got left out from her heat. Thought it wasn't going to make it in the brooder but it did but it's still really tiny to the point the wing feathers it has in are a 1/3rd longer than it's body. I told my friend to pick another because it might not make it.

Yeah, my experience with chicks that are delayed in growth is that they generally don't make it to maturity. The oldest one I ever had like that made it to about 6 months old smaller than everyone else of the same age, and then succumbed to a simple ear infection that stubbornly would not go away. Usually I'll do everything I can for them, but I don't expect them to live very long at all. Probably a good idea to have your friend pick a different one.

Speaking of your little ones, did you ever say how those OEGB bitties were doing? I remember you saying you were giving the one until Friday to get going again...

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Day 8 picture of the day--we have our first tie!

Morena and her new little one

And... Surprise! Inara and the last little Judy booty!!

I knew Morena's would be out by this morning because it was zipping last night. Inara's I figured would hold out until my appointment later, but instead just hatched overnight so I missed it either way. She's not a Splash like I was hoping, but hopefully she's a pullet at least--everyone send all your girliest thoughts her way


Anyway, the runners up, we have Gwenyth sitting on a brick for some reason She's teetering on the verge of going broody again, which unfortunately is probably the last nail in the coffin of me being able to hatch from her this year.

And Caz Cochin, now my last large fowl Cochin. It must be the angle or something, but this picture makes her look so much smaller and thinner / less fluffy than she really is

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Awe look at that Itty booty.
And Morena's little.

I just love chicks like I love puppies. Gimme!