Thistlewick Smallholding - Chickens & Sheep (for now)

[thistlewick]

Yes, that trip to Orkney was with my ex and some ex family and we had a "schedule"

I now travel much more relaxed and like to see the places off the beaten path much more.

I have been to many places of my own accord in the UK that would not even register as touristy and they are always the absolute BEST places. I used to keep a photo blog, but I took that all down years ago.

I hope you don't miss your chicks too much, I wonder if they will stay with the man's daughter indeed haha

 

[thistlewick]

So, the past few days I have gotten a few less eggs and I haven't seen a Chocolate egg in 2 days and THAT is bizarre as she never misses (poor thing)


So my husband and I were moaning about how it's too hot to go looking for a nest and just being crabby old people when I turn around to do something-or-other in the hen house to actually catch sight of:

This is UNDER the brooder. I don't know WHAT made me look back there -- and I was JUST SAYING how 'no one ever goes back there, they must not like tucked away places'

HAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHH how wrong I was!

Well it's only been 2 days, I gathered them. I left the little indent of bedding -- it's in the hen house, its nice and quiet and secure -- they can lay back there if they want to. Let's see if they keep going.

So I have another green egg layer finally -- Ayu (who is broody at 18 weeks old lawd), Francoise and then someone.... else of the new batch is laying. I have a sneaking suspicion it's Elayne -- who was supposed to be a "Calico Princess" but doesn't look like one, she looks like Coffee -- almost exactly to a T -- and they are Starlight Green Eggers (even though Coffee lays a warm, darker brown egg)

That day at TSC was a clusterf((( lol

I am surprised I did get the Light Brahma;

Lil Peep got her name bc as babies she YELLED all the time. Everyone else was quiet but her. She is now shy shy shy shy and I barely see her. So this pic was a treat. She floof.

Cracker crowed for the first time today - he's 15 weeks old. He is VERY good and mindful. He was the first chick we hatched ourselves.

Caught Spitfire being very photogenic. She squatted for Oscar today and he was like 'oh, I don't have to chase you? No thanks' and didn't get on her >< What a brat he is. Speaking of Oscar - @wrathsfarm how is he looking>?

He needs to grow his tail - but his coloring?? His beak is perfect and his comb and wattles look lovely. Just wondering if he needs more copper on his back? He's only like 19 weeks old though.

Dolly, our Golden Campine looking amazing!

 

[wrathsfarm]

At 19 weeks he's still growing. I see the mahogany just starting on his wing bay, so let's give him some time yet to fill out and get that tail.

Keep posting pics of him. If Oscar is comfortable with you and the camera, get a photo shoot focusing on just him, in his relaxed state. Overall pics... Both sides, behind, above back, front, close up of face, eyes and comb both sides and a close up of his leg stance. He needs to be in his relaxed state so take your time and get lots of pics, dedicate your time (when you have it) to just him. If he alerts or is skittish that throws his head and tail up and these are not his correct stance. Then weed thru your pics getting the best ones that show his correct stance and coloring.
Cameras like to change coloring especially so pick the ones that show him and his true coloring as you see him everyday.
That's when we can get a proper overall evaluation on him for SOP. But like said, he's still young, he's got a lot of growing to do and he'll change at his first juvenile molt around 18 months...
Where he's at now I'm selecting for major DQ's only. Body type, tail set, vulture hocks, copper extending too far down the breast for example in my breeders.

Overall I quite like him. His chest is starting to fill out, his copper looks nice, his comb and eyes do look nice so far with proper amount of leakage in his chest. We need to see what that tail is going to look like.

 

[thistlewick]

@wrathsfarm thank you so much!!! he is very comfy with me, I can absolutely get loads of pics of him as he grows - I will start an Oscar folder in my chicken folder haha

 

[wrathsfarm]

@wrathsfarm thank you so much!!! he is very comfy with me, I can absolutely get loads of pics of him as he grows - I will start an Oscar folder in my chicken folder haha

Great...looking forward to seeing more pics.