Adorae’s Family Flock and Farm

[Adorae]

Oh gosh, I am so sorry for your losses. Things happen, don't beat yourself up about it.

Yeah, but I still feel like poop since this was directly something I should have checked on.

 

[TwoCrows]

Yeah, but I still feel like poop since this was directly something I should have checked on.

I've done things too that have ended badly, I think we all have. Be kind to yourself, I know it hurts.

 

[Adorae]

So I have some interesting colors coming out of the WTB's and the NN's. I am wonder if anyone can identify what these patterns are, of if I need to wait until they get their adult feathering in before trying. All the genetic things I know I got from the Chicken Calculator, and those images aren't terribly graphic for what the patterns look like.

Sprout - Still thinking Pullet

Wheat - Not sure if Cockerel or Pullet anymore

NN Cockerel - Is this quail pattern?

NN Pullet - Another quail pattern, just lighter?

 

[Adorae]

Some group photos from this weekend. Chickens are 6 weeks old this week.

The Silkie gang.

Chicks getting a treat of wet food.

A Columbian Rock cockerel looking down on everyone.

Pita looking a bit like an eagle, and the Faouymi, still looking like a cockerel, though I keep hoping, no crowing yet that I have heard.

Took Pita out on the grass for a couple minutes, you can really see the red leakage on him in the sun light. I wonder what he'll look like when he's fully grown.

 

[Adorae]

Flock update-
Got the babies outside over the weekend. They eventually all got brave enough to go out after I sprinkled some feed on the grass.
They didn't stay out for too long though, after it started getting hot, they went back inside. Everyone is 7 weeks old now.
The Columbian Rocks are standing out by being much bigger than everyone else. I managed to catch a Dark Cornish and they are pretty hefty for being smaller, but they are starting to get a bit squarish.
Everyone looks like they are getting in their neck feathers this week, so I am leaving the brooder plate in for 1 more week, through I think the larger chickens won't be able to fit under it.
This next weekend I will get a grounding rod for the electric fence and finally get it activated.
I've been working on a lot of stuff inside of the house since it seemed like they had plenty of room, but it's starting to look like I need to finish the other side of the coop in the next month or so to stay ahead of the big birds' growth.

So far I believe I have 1 WTB cockerel, and 6 pullets.
2 Dark Cornish cockerels, 1 pullet
4 Columbian Rock cockerels, 2 pullets
2 Naked Neck cockerels, 3 pullets
3 Lakenvelder cockerels, 2 pullets
Still no idea on the Silkies, the biggest white one is a cockerel, and the others could be pullets. I'll get photos of them individually soon to try and assess their combs.

 

[Adorae]

I did not get a photo of the 2nd white Silkie, but I believe it to be a pullet.

I think this one may be a cockerel.

I thought cockerel at first, but it's comb doesn't have any height. So maybe pullet?

I think the Splash Silkie could be a cockerel.

This black could be a pullet.

Another cockerel?

 

[Adorae]

The babies are now 8 weeks old. I let them out of the coop on Sunday with the naïve thought that the fence would keep them contained even though the solar panel isn't hooked up yet. All but the biggest NN and Rocks could slip through the holes. Long term it's not going to be a problem, since it will get hooked up and start working soon, but short term it's a bit of a problem.

They loved being outside and It was a struggle to get them back into the coop prior to sunset.

Naked Necks are suppose to have yellow skin, but it looks to me like this cockerel has white skin.

The Fayoumi is still the smallest except for maybe the smaller Silkies.

The Lakenvelder especially love the chance to get out of the coop. It looks like I have 3 cockerels and 2 pullets.

One of the Dark Cornish cockerels and Sprout.

I'm really interested to see what Sprouts pattern is. I think I'll submit a question to the ask Nicalandia thread.

 

[Adorae]

Took a few quick photos of the whole gang when I went to let them out yesterday.

Everyone's gender seems to be pretty obvious at this point, except for Wheat. I cannot tell yet if they are a late developing boy, or an early girl. The group as a whole is only 9 weeks old now. Wheat is the creamy grey/tan one hiding behind the little box/dust bath in the above picture.

In the 2nd picture one of the CR's look absolutely awful, but he's still feathering in. out of the CR group I have 2 pullets and 4 cockerels. I'm starting to narrow down who I want to keep. I don't think I'll be keeping mr. slow grow. The other 3 boys haven't really made any impressions, good or bad, to help me sort through them. My next step I guess will need to be to weight them in the next couple weeks, and see what they weigh. I'm still planning a big cull at 20 weeks to remove all the extra cockerels.

I took a couple picture of them as I put them away for the evening. I thought it was cute how many still pile together for the night. I really need to get the roosting bars installed for them. Though there are a few that found ways to roost already.

 

[Adorae]

So I am starting to collect and organize the information I feel I need for a good breeding program. I'm making my profiles for my chickens that I plan to beget progeny from. Part of that effort has me taking close ups of each bird.

I managed to get all the True Blues and the Fayoumi last night. I'm listing what I think their coloration is, and their gender.

Pita- Blue Cockerel with red leakage

Sprout - Blue Partridge Pullet

Pumpernickel - Blue Pullet

Brioche - Paint Pullet

Baguette - Splash Pullet

Wheat - Splash Partridge Pullet

Soda- Splash Pullet

The Fayoumi - Silver Transverse Penciled Cockerel

 

[Adorae]

Got pictures of the Columbian Rocks, the Lakenvelder, the Necked Necks, the Silkies and Dark Cornish. I left out the NN cockerel that I will not be keeping and also the Silkies that I will not be keeping. I originally wasn't going to keep the NN cockerel I got a picture of, but I'm liking his coloring, so he might get a pardon.