We took drastic measures today and took a scalpel to Rose's foot. I hope we helped, but it sure looked rough. We got a lot of slimy stringy gunk and one chunk that looked almost like a tendon (it came out too easy and didn't cause any foot spasms or flopping). I'm not convinced some of the gunk...
I'm very sure #1, 4, 13, 16, and 20 are cockerels. With those combs at 5 weeks I have no doubts.
I strongly suspect #9, 11, and 17 to be cockerels based on the red shoulder patches. That's usually male specific coloration.
#12 I am 100% sure is a pullet because she's partridge and has the...
Poor Rose seems to have stalled on her bumblefoot infection 🫤 There's so much swelling still, I feel like there's gotta be infection that won't come out through the hole in the bottom of her foot. Seriously considering taking a scalpel blade to it at this point.
I agree, based on comb size and color both are cockerels.
At this age, comb development is the only clue. Males don't start getting male specific feathers until about 12 weeks. Male specific tail feathers take even longer to come in. If they are a color variety that has marked differences...
How old? Age makes a huge difference in guessing gender.
Right now, I'd guess the white bird and the wyandotte are female, based on a lack of male saddle feathers that the mystery chicken clearly shows.
The white one might be a zombie, or she could just be a mix of a dominant white breed...
Nope, all girls. By 24 weeks you should be seeing thin pointy saddle feathers and at least the beginning of curved tail (sickle) feathers on boys. Not to mention that if they were sexually mature (most cockerels would be, though sometimes you could have a very slow developer) they are usually...
We're all dressing up as pirates at work for Halloween, so of course I had to do pirate themed nails!
I used clear gel tips and painted so the underside also has a design
It doesn't show up very well in person, but it's still a fun little detail
Well, not all of them
Paprika is being hit pretty hard by her molt right now. Ratty tail, shriveled comb, and I suspect she's the one leaving big watery droppings off the roost overnight. The droppings have me considering doing a prophylactic deworming. At least she still seems to be eating and...
Well, I thought we were getting better, but Rose's bad foot is still very swollen. It's mostly "soft" swelling, I'm wondering if it might be soft tissue inflammation. We're going to try flushing with just saline and daily bandage changes for a few days and see where we're at. I'm also going to...
Well that should rule out barnyard mix, most farm stores get their chicks from a hatchery so she's probably a specific breed or hatchery hybrid. You might be able to call the farm store and ask them which hatchery they order from. Then you can check the hatchery website and see if you can find a...
100% pullet, congrats!
As to breed, it might help to know where you got her. Farm store? Previous owner? Poultry auction? Breeder? Shady back alley deal?
Just going by the pictures she could be a black wyandotte.
Welcome to the club! What surprised me the most my first year with chickens was how cold hardy they are. Sure, you should avoid drafts with very young chicks, but fully feathered chickens are wearing their own personal down parkas. My first winter with chickens we were hit with a polar vortex...
Loving the motion effect in this picture of Limu
Amalthea is still my star layer. Being both the best layer and head hen keeps her busy busy busy.
Paprika is having some loose stools. But other than that, and a ratty tail from molting, she's doing pretty good.
Artemis is photogenic as ever...