Any guess on the sex of these two?

[swift4me]

The plot thickens. I'll report back when things are certain.

Stay tuned, Film at 11.

Pete

 

[Ladybird CA]

I agree with Minnie, those are hens. The only spurs I see are on the biggest bird, the rooster. They all appear to be Japanese/Cochin crosses.

 

[swift4me]

This is great. Thanks for the help. Around here, my neighbors don't get too fancy about their chickens.

In fact, these birds came from a farm about a half an hour away, (two minutes for a crow), and they had been in a part of a cinder block henhouse with only one small window. Alot of these farmers let their birds free range all day, but some get tired of losing them to the foxes, so they keep them in all the time. I'm certain that none of the 5 birds have seen the sky or the mountains, or eaten fresh grass in their lives. Their view across our valley is spectacular. They are happier in the coop than the run, and go back inside the coop at seeing me. I has only been a few days, and I'm sure it will change, especially after I add the new hens.

Pete

 

[Ladybird CA]

How nice that you took them in to give them a better life

I was in France in July 2003, nice country.

 

[AccentOnHakes]

Quote:
My chicks did that for a while, we eventually "cured" it by moving the food outside. If they are really hungry, they will do almost anything for food.

 

[swift4me]

Just an update. Weeks ago, I posted the photos of the two young bantams I had, wondering about their sex. Several folks thought they were both roosters, and several said they were both hens.

The birds a month ago

Photos this morning...
He's the one in front of my bumper...

This is the feisty hen

As it turns out, one is a hen and the other is going on a one way trip to my mother in law's roasting pan. I don't want two roosters, and my wife DEFINITELY doesn't. He made his first attempts at crowing this morning, sealing his fate.

All good with the flock, and no predator problems... knock on wood.

All from France for now.

Pete

 

[chickened]

Chicken a la carte?

 

[swift4me]

Yes indeed.

Here it is very common to see young roosters sold for roasting. They cost about 4 Euros, ($5.50), a piece in the stores, and alot of elderly folks like them as they can't eat a whole chickn by themselves. My mother in law loves them, and that's where he'll go.

The good thing is that now I get to buy another hen.

Pete

 

[chickened]

I butcher a beef every year and always gave the liver to some elderly folk that absolutely loved it. Good to see him go to some one that will enjoy him on a different level.

 

[swift4me]

It is funny to see the change in tastes as time goes on. Many of the great tradtions of French butchers and cooking will go by the wayside with the next generation as they eat frozen food and pizza.

I shot a nice Yukon moose one time in Alaska and ended up leaving almost 800 pounds of meat with the elders in a remore village who had asked, "begged", the local pastor to find them some moose meat, as their kids didn't hunt anymore.

I fear alot of great cooking will die with convenience.

Pete