Twelve Days Of Chcikens...Raquel

Raquel Welch is our Easter Egger. The EE's lay pastel green or blue eggs (thus the name Easter Egger). The color egg they lay first will be the color that EE lays for life. She as not started laying yet but it should be any day now. Not only are we excited about having another laying, but the color will be a surprise.

Fluffy Baby...

Teenagers hanging out!

Newly hatched and in the brooder, Raquel's markings were similar to Julie, our brown leghorn. She looked like a chipmunk with a beak! She was, like the rest, a sweet fluff-ball. She an Julie were close in the size till about three months. Then  Raquel absolutely took off growing.  Julie's growth was so much slower that  I became concerned (new mommy -remember). But I did my research, look at photos of sizes each were supposed to be at that age, talked to my chicken buddies. They were both right where they should be. I just LOVE this new education I'm getting! Raquel and Talulah are the biggest in the flock now. Although some of Talulah's size is due to fluff, Raquel's size is just BIG fluff or not. 

Which is mine?

During the summer months, when I was reading everything I could on egg production, I learned that chickens larger in size, like the EE's, start laying later. Bummer…I was ready for eggs then! The two middle-sized barred rocks started laying first. Julie, next to the smallest, started laying right aft they did. Raquel should be next. She certainly acts ready! 

Sunbathing and ignoring Talulah. 

Raquel's favorite pastime is also dust bathing. She's bigger, has strong claws and gets a hole ready faster than any of the others.  Once she gets settled into the hole she dug -all by herself - the others suddenly show and want her to share! She doesn't try to chase them away but she makes sure her large body and out-stretched wings leave little room for any of the others!



Liz-

Twelve days of Chickens..Raquel

Although all our girls are beautiful, “Raquel” Welch has grown up into a fluffy natural beauty. 

You would think she is self-aware, as in every step she takes across the yard is with the grace of a Hollywood star. The last few months her feathers have exploded in colors and patterns. 

  And what makes it more unique, they are grouped and mapped in regions like little States.

  Even as a small teenager you could start to see the grouping of the different feathers. Have to say her teenage period was not the best beauty time.

  As an Americana, she is referred to as an Easter Egger and we hope her eggs are as interesting as her appearance.

She is also the most independent one of the group. She doesn’t bully anyone even though she is the largest. It appears she is in her own little world and does as she pleases. She stays near the group when free ranging but wonders off on her own exploration 

Afternoon Break Time

The first couple of nights the girls were in the coop with the three perches, she slept in the back of the coop with someone tagging along with her. More on roosting drama go to;

learning-how-to-roost

Older Teenager Look

  She grew the fastest in size and is the larger of all of the girls. Her headgear bloomed a little later than the others but it added the final accent to her overall look

It's wild how this little ball of brown feathers grew up into a showcase glamor model 

 ...Harry