Bantam chickens.. a friendly discussion about all pure and mixed breeds.

[Arbutus Peregrine]

We are further north from most of the fires so we are safe for now, we are near a wildlife reserve so lots of bushland we need to keep an eye on. I do have family and friends who evacuated and some who have suffered damage/loss of property from the fires south of us, thankfully all animals are OK.
Scary times for sure

Wow. So scary. I hope the fires stop very soon.

 

[chickens really]

Hey thanks!! They’re a good crew! The big balls of fluff with pantaloons or bloomers (as Pipdzipd calls them)... those are Golden-laced Cochin Bantams. The really golden one is Rosie (missing head feathers) and the other two are Merry and Pippin. Pippin is the least “gold,” and the cuddliest, although they are suddenly getting cuddly! They are my hobbits! My last two boys, Nicky and Morse, are going to live on a farm today! I called the people who took my other boys two months ago and they are happy to take these. How nice there are people who love the boys just for being beautiful!! I’m excited to visit my old boys too. They have a 20 acre farm!!

Awesome! I sure like that Cochin..
Enjoy the visit today.

 

[chickens really]

Oh my goodness!! You are committed !! Lucky ducks!!!

Well I'm committed but actually thinking of selling my Calls because winter is too long and they are too messy. I have tennis elbow so hauling water hurts my arm.

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

Well I'm committed but actually thinking of selling my Calls because winter is too long and they are too messy. I have tennis elbow so hauling water hurts my arm.

makes sense! And tennis elbow never heals until you really rest it a LONG time. I had calls when I was a kid and know that they are too messy for my small city lot. But I love them!! And Indian Runners. But they need water...and we already have way too much here!!

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

Awesome! I sure like that Cochin..
Enjoy the visit today.

Thanks! Hopefully I'll get some photos. Can't wait to see my cockerels all grown up...and you would love the two Cochin cockerels, Frodo and Sam! The nice adopters send me photos now and then and it warms my heart! The Cochins are soooo silly and "not" graceful. So it's so fun to watch them run and party. I highly recommend the breed! The other bantams really appreciate them for snuggling at night on the roosts. They almost disappear into the Cochin feathers. The Sebrights especially try to always roost next to Cochins!! I think those Sebrights are wicked smart...! You should get some Cochins! They come in neat colors, too!

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

@pipdzipdnreadytogo & @chickens really
I got solid proof on the feather pluckers yesterday and today. It's my Sebrights! I wondered if it was them... they are the ones that peck faces the most! I just figured they were very fastidious... I mean...they are soooo clean always! And if you do get a chance to pet them...wow! Their feathers are like satin! But... looks as if sure enough they have beard envy! Or, being the vain little bitties they are... they are very controlling about appearance and say no beards here! Well... I hope that now with my boys gone... maybe everyone will be more calm and the feather picking can stop. Sure enough I saw my D'Uccle cockerel doing the damage that my one Cochin had with feather-loss. Blergh! I think to keep roosters... you just need more room.

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

Awesome! I sure like that Cochin..
Enjoy the visit today.

It was a quick visit and I left my cell phone in the car!! Darn it! So no photos. But I'm allowed to go back and visit! It was so great seeing my boys after not seeing them for two months. They were so happy. And the two that I left today seemed to assimilate quickly. We did it right at dusk. I'm really in love with the Rosecomb and Cochin boys. They turned out stunning! I will miss my Dutch boy. He was a real sweetie. But now he is a real farm chicken!!

 

[chickens really]

@pipdzipdnreadytogo & @chickens really
I got solid proof on the feather pluckers yesterday and today. It's my Sebrights! I wondered if it was them... they are the ones that peck faces the most! I just figured they were very fastidious... I mean...they are soooo clean always! And if you do get a chance to pet them...wow! Their feathers are like satin! But... looks as if sure enough they have beard envy! Or, being the vain little bitties they are... they are very controlling about appearance and say no beards here! Well... I hope that now with my boys gone... maybe everyone will be more calm and the feather picking can stop. Sure enough I saw my D'Uccle cockerel doing the damage that my one Cochin had with feather-loss. Blergh! I think to keep roosters... you just need more room.

My Silkies used to have huge puffs on their heads but not anymore. I know my chickens are eating off their feather but zero injuries. As long as everyone gets along I don't care.

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

My Silkies used to have huge puffs on their heads but not anymore. I know my chickens are eating off their feather but zero injuries. As long as everyone gets along I don't care.

I have a secret plan... when I get large fowl chicks this year... if the Sebrights are still feather-plucking...they can go live with the large fowl!!! Ha! They will have less success with them, perhaps?!!

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

Point of lay time! It's way too exciting of a time with my chickens lately! I can't get over it! Ha! It seems like for many of them, their faces are getting bright red over night and their combs are doubling in size! I'm going to be traveling and I'm so sad to miss out even on one day of all the changes!! Two have been laying really regularly: one Dutch and one Rosecomb. Another Dutch started squatting yesterday (none have done that yet). Today, one of my Sebrights squatted for me! I was shocked! Then she wanted attention! I've picked her up for cuddles three times today! My Sebrights NEVER WANT TO BE TOUCHED!!! They do love to perch on me and fly to perch on me before any other chickens every time I visit. This Sebright who squatted and is now cuddly is named Celia and she suddenly has a comb and is red in the face. It feels like getting to hold a wild animal! I wonder if it is a passing phase or if this is how she will be going forward. My tiniest chicken is a Dutch...much smaller than the others... she has been very skittish from day one. In the last month, she wants to be picked up and cuddled and falls asleep in my arms when I have time for that! I think I love the point of lay time! It must be a very confusing time for them, though! They seem to want more comforting. What have your experiences been?