3 month old rooster - is he weird?

[Dandelion and Clover]

He kinda looks like my HH Rainbow (breed/mix) that may have Valgus deformity. She limps, I haven't really seen the 'flick' like yours have. She plops and isn't super active. She steps on her own feet and always lays on her side so she can't roost on a typical bar. I could be totally useless and making stuff up.

The Rainbow Chickens are some kind of dual purpose mix, not listed. I think my girl has more traits from her meat bird ancestry. She isn't too much bigger than others of her breed/mix, they are all big birds and they are all much bigger than their litter mates.

I'm really annoyed on your behalf about the Hatchery dismissal. I can't imagine this is the traits that want advertised. Crap happens, bad genetics makes there way through for whatever reason. Own it, say it's not their standard/typical/ideal bird. Thank you for bringing it to their attention so maybe they can catch the parents and prevent more issues.

I agree with others, don't breed these birds. I'm not super thrilled with the Rainbows and am watching closely if I have to cull my pretty girl. I'm really debating selling all the other rainbows so I don't accidentally breed them. (I'd keep the one I'm worried about to ensure she doesn't suffer.)

My pretty Pin-Pin.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I'm really annoyed on your behalf about the Hatchery dismissal. I can't imagine this is the traits that want advertised. Crap happens, bad genetics makes there way through for whatever reason. Own it, say it's not their standard/typical/ideal bird. Thank you for bringing it to their attention so maybe they can catch the parents and prevent more issues.

Right?!

 

[LaFleche]

I took your advice and emailed the hatchery with the weights, photo of the small vs lg chicks, and video of walking. They said they do not see any issue, they are just "big" and it's all feathers and they are just laying around because it is hot and I shouldn't worry about it.

Well, that in my opinion is not the right way to respond to a customer that takes the time to document and make them aware of something going on with their breeding stock.

 

[LaFleche]

I'm really annoyed on your behalf about the Hatchery dismissal. I can't imagine this is the traits that want advertised. Crap happens, bad genetics makes there way through for whatever reason. Own it, say it's not their standard/typical/ideal bird. Thank you for bringing it to their attention so maybe they can catch the parents and prevent more issues.

This exactly.

 

[AnneCanne]

Well, that in my opinion is not the right way to respond to a customer that takes the time to document and make them aware of something going on with their breeding stock.

Right? It was the same kind of response when I emailed to tell them 2 chicks died during shipping and 2 were looking pretty bad. Their response was basically a pretty cold "Turn the heat up. Which ones died?" Which would have annoyed me even if I didn't have 2 young kids sobbing over dead chicks. And now they just tell me "don't worry about it, they're fine."

This poor chick is clearly not fine. I saw him run today - imagine a clumsy 10 year old, wearing scuba flippers and a bathrobe that's way too big, trying to run over uneven ground. He only ran about 10 feet, and I have no idea how he managed to not wipe out.

I'm bummed out because my intention was this would be my last time buying chicks, and going forward, I could just let nature do the work. Now even if this rooster turns out to be nice (the one from last summer was definitely not), I can't keep him because I wouldn't want his offspring in the flock and I don't have enough space or hens or patience for 2 roosters.

 

[AnneCanne]

Thank you for bringing it to their attention so maybe they can catch the parents and prevent more issues.

I don't have a lot of confidence this is going to happen there. :|

 

[AnneCanne]

My pretty Pin-Pin.
View attachment 4156324

Awww she's so pretty! Love her feathers

 

[AnneCanne]

Annnnnnd just noticed this morning he's also sprouted some feathers on both feet/legs within the last week. Not full-on fluffy feathers (yet?), but not just wayward stubs either.