Backyard Brahmas!!

[WendyF]

Aaw! I love that sleeping chicky pic!

 

[holm25]

Aaw! I love that sleeping chicky pic!

Thanks!!!

 

[carcar80]

"Are you my Mommy?"

Staring at my babies again today.. I agree, two for sure pullets and two FOR SURE cockerels. But you know what? The other two that we were torn on? I really have a pullet feeling now. Their patterning is more "checkered" now whereas the cockerels are "striped", for lack of better wording (like the cockerel in the pic here). Also I'm seeing the combs on the cockerels have the three-rows-of-peas appearance and the others have much smaller, single-row combs. Will wait a week or two to post more pics; I'm sure it'll really be obvious by then.

 

[carcar80]

Ugh.. I almost wish I hadn't started "hanging around" you guys sometimes, lol!! I used to love this gold pullet so much and lately I question everything about her..

Like just today I realize she's got these feathers on each side
(flight feathers?).. That are different from her patterned ones.. Will this go away as she matures?

I also wonder how true her patterning is.. I realize this is the backyard thread, just hoping some of you might give your opinion.. I love them either way and think they're beautiful, but the reason I bought these was to hatch/sell at least a couple.. And now it's hard to do that with a clear conscience if my birds aren't good quality. I know I can work on things with selective breeding but I've got a LOT to learn!

 

[Huntress78]

Quote: If you're going to breed birds to show or develop a new variety you need to look at them with a critical eye! It's the only way to develop a quality flock.

Quote: Are you talking about the color or that they're not folded in tight? I think the color is OK. I've had young birds with loose, twisted feathers but when they molted, the new ones were strait and tight. If they don't come in tight after a molt read up on 'split wing'.

Quote: I suggest more pictures. Top, front, and both sides...without other birds or fencing in the way. Then you can post again here or just look at the pictures yourself and compare them to pictures of show quality darks. The pattern should be the same.

Quote: Do not feel alone...there are others of us here in the same boat!

 

[carcar80]

If you're going to breed birds to show or develop a new variety you need to look at them with a critical eye! It's the only way to develop a quality flock.

Are you talking about the color or that they're not folded in tight? I think the color is OK. I've had young birds with loose, twisted feathers but when they molted, the new ones were strait and tight. If they don't come in tight after a molt read up on 'split wing'.

I suggest more pictures. Top, front, and both sides...without other birds or fencing in the way. Then you can post again here or just look at the pictures yourself and compare them to pictures of show quality darks. The pattern should be the same.

Do not feel alone...there are others of us here in the same boat!

Aw thanks! YES, I totally agree I need a critical eye- and have/want one! I was just saying, ignorance is bliss as they say lol.

And as for the pullet, I was talking about the pattern AND the stray feathers. Yes, maybe they're just not folded tight. I'll have to pay more attention to her. I really do like her and think she's filling in pretty.

 

[carcar80]

And thanks for the offer to post here. I love the breeder thread too, but often (ok always) feel totally lost once anyone starts getting too "deep".. I have to have folks keep it simple for now but still be honest. If that makes sense.

 

[bumpercarr]

Aw thanks! YES, I totally agree I need a critical eye- and have/want one! I was just saying, ignorance is bliss as they say lol.

And as for the pullet, I was talking about the pattern AND the stray feathers. Yes, maybe they're just not folded tight. I'll have to pay more attention to her. I really do like her and think she's filling in pretty.

Her pattern looks fine to me, I don't know about the wing feathers. Sometimes, you just catch them at the wrong time when taking pictures. I would say wait and see. It is best to post pictures from both sides, front, back and top.

 

[carcar80]

Yes. Kinda like with horses, lol. Except horses are MUCH easier to photograph. :/

 

[carcar80]

I did watch her more this evening and those feathers weren't out. You could just see the tips of them behind the wing, like 1" of them.. Maybe she was just puffed up for the chicks; she was pretty interested in them, lol.