Welcome to Chicklandia

[deidreg]

Meet Poppy, the newest member of the Chicklandia flock!

Poppy is a 14 week old Favaucana (Faverolle/Ameraucana hybrid) who should lay blue or green eggs. She replaces Oliver the surprise cockerel. Introducing her to her new flock slowly.

UPDATE: Poppy may be an Icelandic!

 

[TwoCrows]

Meet Poppy, the newest member of the Chicklandia flock!

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Poppy is a 14 week old Favaucana (Faverolle/Ameraucana hybrid) who should lay blue or green eggs. She replaces Oliver the surprise cockerel. Introducing her to her new flock slowly.

She is beautiful!

 

[deidreg]

Rhaega gifted us a perfect egg thus morning!

Unfortunately I failed to check the nest when I tucked them in yesterday, so it's frozen solid. (8 degrees this morning!) But the shell is hard. We're getting there...

 

[deidreg]

 

[zyzzyr]

Chicklandia news! (bawk, bawk, bawk...)

This morning, I was distressed to discover Rhaega was locked out of the coop last night.
Fortunately, temperature was 27, cold not not super fridged. She moved slowly at first, then began to eat and drink. I went back out to check on her, and discovered she laid a soft egg in the run where she had spent the night. It was not frozen, so she laid it early this morning.

View attachment 2504673

Rhaega is about four years old and has not laid all winter, as expected. The rest are pullets, about five months old and not yet laying. I was slowly introducing layer feed mixed with grower feed, but have now switched to 100% layer feed. There's also oyster shell available in a separate feeder.

Several days ago, I opened the nest box for the first time and placed a couple fake eggs. They've been checking it out, especially Rhaega. I'm hoping she'll lay there in a day or two. And I will do a headcount every night and not rely on just a quick look around the run.

Always something to learn in Chicklandia!

Oh my!! Rhaega always was a bit of a night owl ... er ... chicken ...

Glad she's safe and laying eggs again!

 

[deidreg]

Sad news. Rhaega slowed down a lot the last few weeks. Losing weight, keeping to herself, etc. When she didn't get up yesterday morning, I knew her time had come. I was able to cull her myself, quickly and painlessly for her. (Though I had a big cry.) She was about five years old and a wonderful teacher to me and my young little flock. I miss her.

 

[deidreg]

I'm so sorry about Rheaga.

Your flock story is so interesting.

Thank you. I knew Rhaega wouldn't be with me too long as she was older. While I'm sad to lose her, I am grateful to know that I do have the ability to cull a chicken myself. Everyone on BYC has given me courage and support.

 

[TwoCrows]

CHICKEN JAIL
Inmate #24601 (aka "Olive")
Crime: pecking pin feathers on feet

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Perfect! I hate when they go after feet, toes and feathers. Awful habit. Looks like the white one is trying to break Olive out.

 

[TwoCrows]

That's Cricket, a spunky Whiting True Blue. Olive doesn't mess with her.

Cricket must feel she has power now.

 

[TwoCrows]

It's winter in Chicklandia!

An early snow is testing the winterized coop/run and so far, so good. I have an Omlet Eglu that has a heavy duty tarp roof, and is now wrapped in both clear and translucent tarps. I left the top of the run open for ventilation. I'm happy to report that the roost and nest are both dry--no condensation. I use sand in the poop tray with dries it out. (I scoop it out daily.)

Inside the run is pretty dry and not overly humid. Some rain/snow get in, but not enough to make a mess--at least not so far. Hens are dry and happy. Gigi, one of my Faverolles, makes a cameo. Rhaega is in the background.

Glad they are all warm and dry!