Straub’s search for colored eggs

[Tstraub]

After reading about other members flocks and sharing some details of my own flock across several different threads I have decided to open my own thread detailing my flock. I run a mixed flock of egg layers. My chickens fall somewhere between pets and livestock I spoil them when I can but I don’t raise house or lap chickens

The flock currently consists of my rooster Axl he is a pet quality Black Copper Marans. He has 15 hens and 6 up and coming pullets that are just starting to lay. Breeds include BCM, Wyandotte, JG, OE, EE, BR, light Brahma, buff Orpington, cinnamon queen, and one unknown breed that I bought as a buff Orpington but clearly is not an Orpington.

I do some breeding. My main goals with breeding are getting more colorful eggs and meat for the freezer. I have only been at this for an about a year and a half so I still have a long way to go but I’m getting there. I’ll try to update this thread as things progress.

Anyone who would like to follow along is welcome. Most of my chickens are not in top camera ready condition some of the girls do have significant patches on their backs from breeding and I believe we’re at the beginning of molting season but that all part of chicken raising so I’m sure people will understand.

 

[wrathsfarm]

After reading about other members flocks and sharing some details of my own flock across several different threads I have decided to open my own thread detailing my flock. I run a mixed flock of egg layers. My chickens fall somewhere between pets and livestock I spoil them when I can but I don’t raise house or lap chickens

The flock currently consists of my rooster Axl he is a pet quality Black Copper Marans. He has 15 hens and 6 up and coming pullets that are just starting to lay. Breeds include BCM, Wyandotte, JG, OE, EE, BR, light Brahma, buff Orpington, cinnamon queen, and one unknown breed that I bought as a buff Orpington but clearly is not an Orpington.

I do some breeding. My main goals with breeding are getting more colorful eggs and meat for the freezer. I have only been at this for an about a year and a half so I still have a long way to go but I’m getting there. I’ll try to update this thread as things progress.

Anyone who would like to follow along is welcome. Most of my chickens are not in top camera ready condition some of the girls do have significant patches on their backs from breeding and I believe we’re at the beginning of molting season but that all part of chicken raising so I’m sure people will understand.
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Following your beautiful flock and eggs...is that Blue in the solo pic by herself?

 

[Tstraub]

Following your beautiful flock and eggs...is that Blue in the solo pic by herself?

That is blue’s daughter. I have been calling her smoky. She looks a whole lot like her mother except for the straight comb. Blue has a pea comb. Still waiting on eggs but I think she is close. This morning I did see her squat down for Axl and her comb is getting really red so the hormones are hitting her.

 

[AinaWGSD]

That is blue’s daughter. I have been calling her smoky. She looks a whole lot like her mother except for the straight comb. Blue has a pea comb. Still waiting on eggs but I think she is close. This morning I did see her squat down for Axl and her comb is getting really red so the hormones are hitting her.

She's so pretty!

 

[Tstraub]

She's so pretty!

Thank you.

 

[Tstraub]

Smoky is only pullet that hatched from the toaster oven hatch along. She was called chicken and noodles back then but she was too cute and well behaved to serve with noodles so she got a new name and now she’s a permanent resident.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I remember now, my mind was going back and forth if that was blue or her daughter.

Get us a pic of blue here soon. That girl is stunning. I really need some eggs from her, I think I've only got 1 female from my 3 OE's. Having horrible luck with boys from Esther.

 

[Tstraub]

I remember now, my mind was going back and forth if that was blue or her daughter.

Get us a pic of blue here soon. That girl is stunning. I really need some eggs from her, I think I've only got 1 female from my 3 OE's. Having horrible luck with boys from Esther.

Blue is looking pretty rough at the moment I snapped a few pictures real quick but she didn’t want to pose today she just wants to lay in the shade under the coop.

She took a lot of feather damage in the spring. Axl was rough on the girls in the beginning but has since learned better techniques. Her beard feathers are all matted and sticking together from the corn on the cob she has been eating. And she has been fighting with all of the other girls recently.

I’m pretty sure the fighting is just normal pecking order stuff. I currently have 6 pullets near point of lay trying to find there place and Blue is determined not to lose hers.

The good news is I believe she is going into molt. Her egg production is dropping off and she is starting to drop feathers. I can wait for her to grow in a brand new set of feathers

 

[wrathsfarm]

Blue is looking pretty rough at the moment I snapped a few pictures real quick but she didn’t want to pose today she just wants to lay in the shade under the coop.

She took a lot of feather damage in the spring. Axl was rough on the girls in the beginning but has since learned better techniques. Her beard feathers are all matted and sticking together from the corn on the cob she has been eating. And she has been fighting with all of the other girls recently.

I’m pretty sure the fighting is just normal pecking order stuff. I currently have 6 pullets near point of lay trying to find there place and Blue is determined not to lose hers.

The good news is I believe she is going into molt. Her egg production is dropping off and she is starting to drop feathers. I can wait for her to grow in a brand new set of feathers

Ahhhh... She's still stunning.

Joannie hasn't laid in a week. I think she's doing a soft molt here so it's not as noticable.

 

[Tstraub]

I believe one of the pullets just made her first rent payment. I was hoping for some shade of green but I can’t complain about this speckled brown color. Now I need to figure out who laid it.