Thanks for all the helpful info! I totally agree that it’ll be fun to experiment with colors—I have no plans to show or breed seriously so working toward the SOP is secondary to achieving some interesting colors.
I actually ordered these eggs from a breeder as an assortment of her project...
I completely agree with the exciting/confusing future color project, lol!
I'm definitely not entirely sure it's dominant white—my understanding is that standard white Ameraucanas are typically recessive white and have slate shanks. My cockerel's pink shank color is throwing me!
Hello! I want to preface this by saying I am very new to genetics and still pretty new at chicken keeping (1.5 years). Please have mercy on me!
I've hatched a few clutches of Ameraucanas this year, and believe I may have hatched a dominant white Ameraucana cockerel from eggs that I ordered from...
Another update on mama:
The babies have officially graduated to sleeping on the roost! Unfortunately I lost one chick to an aerial predator 😞 at around 3 weeks old.
Something I found interesting is that mama seemed to be confused by the chirps of the chicks I brooded indoors vs. her own. I...
I fully agree! For me, as an industrial designer by trade (and lifelong tinkerer), I've had a ton of fun with my coop build. There's also something so lovely and satisfying about watching something grow—especially at the pace of chicken raising. Eggs are also positive feedback ◡̈
I've also...
I've ordered from Chickens for Backyards, Meyer, and Seabreeze Hens (smaller hatchery) and haven't had any issues with sexing!
I will also add that while my order from Seabreeze Hens was a bit pricier, those are by far my friendliest birds.
Hmm, I don't have any experience merging two groups of new chickens but my instinct is that you should treat the new chicken as her own entity!
If anyone else has experience, please chime in!
Hi! I've had luck transporting chickens in cardboard boxes. 30 minutes isn't too long, so that should work. I cut a few holes on the top of each side of the box, and the chicken will calm down in the dark.
As for introducing her to your flock, the see-no-touch method usually works. That...
Just wanted to share an update on my Polish's mothering journey:
She and the babies are slowly increasing their perimeter outside of the coop/run. She's been so attentive and protective and just a great mother all around.
Hey there! I’m in the Hudson valley, so not too far from you. This person’s been working on a “Catskill Homesteader” breeding project for chickens suited for the area—cold hardy, good foragers. I don’t know too many details beyond that, but I’ve seen them offer started pullets too...
My girls go nuts for the insides of cantaloupe. Dido usually grabs a huge piece and scurries off, then swallows it one gulp. It’s hilarious and horrifying. Sometimes I shop for produce with them specifically in mind 🫣
And then this isn’t really a special treatment tip, per se, but I have a hen...