Arizona Chickens

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Okay, for everyone who is following this... here are the pictures of my 12 chickens. In a quick re-cap... I ordered 11 chickens from Ideal. I specifically asked for NO males except for what I might receive with the silkies as they were straight run. They sent me 12 chickens and it seems like I have a LOT of roos. So disappointed...

I don't know about silkies, but I think you are right about all the others. The BAs all look like roos. You can't always tell by comb because chickens develop at different rates but you can tell for sure by the pointy black cascading feathers by the tail.
That's really a bummer. I got 3 BAs from Ideal last year and they were all pullets. You should definitely let them know. 3/3 is pretty bad, somebody messed up.

 

[Demosthine]

CountryGirl, that is horrible news having that many roos. I would definitely call them and complain. If they truly do refuse to pay and your order confirmation shows you were supposed to get females, I would also file a claim with the bank. Depending on how long ago the order was, the bank may take care of the issue for you. And, of course, there is always the Better Business Bureau. Of course, the results from that are as hit-or-miss as sexing the fuzzy butts...

Since you're in Northern Arizona, it won't help you much, but The Stock Shop here in Glendale will buy your roosters for $8.00 each. You might try the local shops up there and see if they'll do the same. As a last resort, before Camp Freezer, you might try putting them on Craig's List. I'm sure you won't get out what you put in to them costwise, but maybe it'll help a little.

When I went to learn how to process a chicken, she sent me home with the rooster than she did that day. He was fairly young and there just wasn't a lot of meat to him. I'm sure it depends a lot on breed, but I just don't want you to get your hopes too high about getting a good chunk of meat out of him. I will say, though, it was some of the best darn chicken I've ever had!

 

[squeakyballs]

One of my favorite bats is Centurio senex. We were mist-netting for bats in Costa Rica the first time I ever saw one. It has a face only a mother could love...or a bat lover. Oddly enough, it has a flap of skin that it can move up to cover it's face, at will.

 

[squeakyballs]

BTW, what do other Tucsonans do when they end up with roos? We can't have any in the city, whats the plan if I get some? Try to raise them until they're fat enough for a roast and hope no one complains?

I post them on Craigslist for free, and everyone who has ever picked one up has always promised that they'll give them a lovely home out in the country. I'm sure that what they really mean is this:

 

[squeakyballs]

 

[kacklinkelly]

OMG - THAT IS HIDEOUS!! That looks like it belongs on a sci fy show.
Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder.

 

[squeakyballs]

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

Okay, for everyone who is following this... here are the pictures of my 12 chickens. In a quick re-cap... I ordered 11 chickens from Ideal. I specifically asked for NO males except for what I might receive with the silkies as they were straight run. They sent me 12 chickens and it seems like I have a LOT of roos. So disappointed...
I will start with all the silkie photos and see what you guys think.

These photos were taken today and they are all almost 16 weeks old.


These first 2 photos are Snuffleupagus, our red silkie. I think he is a roo, but no crowing yet. But he fights a lot with our blue silkie.






These two are of Cloud, the white silkie... I think she is a hen - smaller, very mellow.





Here is the blue silkie Disco - think he is a roo too. No crowing yet, but fights with the red silkie.




The Rhode Island Red - a sweet hen (Esther)



I have 2 of these Barred Plymouth Rocks - both are hens! (Pocahontas & Mayflower)


This is one of the EE's of the two that I ordered - pretty sure this one is a hen. (Chipmunk)


The only speckled sussex female I ordered (Cookie) and it's not a girl! He is crowing as of today!


The other EE female I ordered who is now crowing regularly as well.

(Chubby)
The funny thing about this one is we thought she was just the sweetest little girl ever... She/He was bullied for a while and we worked very hard to get her/him back into the flock. At one point this chicken was so scared of the rest of the flock that it would run and hide in the house all the time and run and hide under us when possible - even jumping up into our lap and burying its head into our jackets to hide... Now he is fine but still very personable.


Now, the next few pics are tricky - can't quite tell if these australorps are roos or hens... no crowing from this one. (Shimmer)





Also, no crowing from this one... (Ninja)





This one, however, was the extra they sent and he is definitely crowing! (Falcon)



Okay, so, if the other 2 australorps are not roos, my total is 3 roos and 6 hens (not counting the silkies as I knew they were straight run). That is not the 90% accuracy rate that they claim. If the australorps are not hens, then the rate is worse. What are all your thoughts on this?

On your silkies I believe your white one is female. Males have that "slicked back" look on their crest. I agree as well that your BA's are roos.

 

[squeakyballs]

I think it is cute.

 

[squeakyballs]

I think it wants a kiss