Blue Andalusian thread!

[Tikkijane]

Quote:
Still a girl, Mary Beth?

I am a bit sad at the moment. We had some terrorizing going on this morning, from my blue. Since it's the only one, I don't know if it's a girl or not. Her comb is pinking up, for sure.

This morning, though, she took to terrorizing the others. I know mating isn't a quiet event, but this was pecking and eating mouthfuls of feathers- no mounting, just staring and chasing, then pecking all over and plucking.

And if it is a roo, is this normal for a 4 week old (4 weeks today, actually)?

I posted over in the behaviors forum here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=6484176#p6484176 but thought I would post something here, too.

At this point, no one seems bloodied and I have separated that one out into the smaller brooder. The others have settled right now now that he/she is gone. I hate separating them out, but without knowing what really is going on, I didn't want to leave it in with the others. Will try to take some pics this morning and update.... *sigh* Birds have recovered, but I'm still traumatized, lol.

 

[Hens and Roos]

Quote:
Still a girl, Mary Beth?

I am a bit sad at the moment. We had some terrorizing going on this morning, from my blue. Since it's the only one, I don't know if it's a girl or not. Her comb is pinking up, for sure.

This morning, though, she took to terrorizing the others. I know mating isn't a quiet event, but this was pecking and eating mouthfuls of feathers- no mounting, just staring and chasing, then pecking all over and plucking.

And if it is a roo, is this normal for a 4 week old (4 weeks today, actually)?

I posted over in the behaviors forum here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=6484176#p6484176 but thought I would post something here, too.

At this point, no one seems bloodied and I have separated that one out into the smaller brooder. The others have settled right now now that he/she is gone. I hate separating them out, but without knowing what really is going on, I didn't want to leave it in with the others. Will try to take some pics this morning and update.... *sigh* Birds have recovered, but I'm still traumatized, lol.

Can you post a current picture showing the comb? Sometimes the girls can be mean as well especially if they are setting pecking order. This is what our pullet looked like at 3 weeks old.

 

[Tikkijane]

Gorgeous baby, but really being mean to the others this morning!

 

[Hens and Roos]

Quote:
Can you tell if the wattles are pinking up too? I just went and look quick at our girl who is 6 weeks old and her comb is still pale and there isn't any sign of wattles dropping down. I'll see if I can get a good picture to post later today.

 

[Tikkijane]

Yep, looks like they are pinking up.

But really, this behavior at 4 weeks old?? Is it possible this is some other breed? Eeek. *sigh*

Thanks!

Tikki

 

[Hens and Roos]

Quote:
Depends on the birds- some can be aggressive/meaner than others and yes there is mock fighting that goes on at a young age or establishing it's place within the group. When you got the bird did it come in an assortment or where you told it was an Andalusian? We have some 5 month old cockerals and the 1 is very aggressive to the other birds in that pen and it also peck me last week when I went in to check water- broke open skin across my knuckle- needless to say it isn't staying- I have 3 kids and can't have them being attacked.

 

[Tikkijane]

This was my mystery chick from TSC- straight run. They had no idea what it was, but thought it was a Black Minorca. I don't think it is, though, and it was suggested to me that it could be a Blue Andalusian, which seems to be the closest coloring. TSC does have BAs on their pamphlets as oe they sell and one of the ALBC conservation breeds. So that is really my best guess.

The only other chest bumping this one has done (and really, any of them) was with one of the younger birds (a week younger) that is supposed to be a BO pullet. And then today, the second one was with my Dominicker (pullet) before Blue (we have been calling her Jasmine, lol) went for her feathers. She wasn't doing this to the others when she was going after them, and I haven't seen any other out-and-out chest bumping from any of the rest of them.

I have errands to run this morning and then I'm going to put her/him back in with the others and see what happens. Keeping my fingers crossed....

 

[Barrdwing]

I had an Andalusian hen for three years before re-homing her . . . and when she was gone, the rest of the hens grew in their feathers and stopped looking so tattered. She was such a feather-eater that she even barbered the Andalusian rooster! (And he let her!) His hackles and saddles were bitten off so low that he looked like a dandelion clock. So yeah, even the hens/pullets can be a problem.

That little munchkin looks awfully pink in the comb to me, for four weeks old; I would suspect a roo. I'm very sorry to hear about feather-eating so young! It's been said that feather-eating might be related to inadequate grass/greens in the diet, or inadequate protein. I dunno; Susan was just a little fiend and she did it to bully the rest. I wish I had some suggestions as to what to do to re-train this kid, but separation may be necessary. Otherwise, he/she will just teach that bad behavior to the rest . . . and believe me, it is NO FUN to have a feather-picking flock!

Our Andy roos have also been a lot more territorial and aggressive towards other roos. Right now the boss roo is an Andy/EE cross, and I would like to keep him in the flock because he's a nice big boy and throws good chicks. But he's a lot like his dad--territorial to the other roos--and becoming a greedy swine as well! He steals treats from the hens--what's up with that?

What a disappointment, because his daddy is as courtly and dutiful a roo as you could hope to find. Sigh.

 

[cochinman2005]

Quote:
It's a cockerel.

 

[Tikkijane]

Quote:
Ya, dunno.

Had them outside most of yesterday, so they got lots of greens and grass. I was wondering if the change in behavior was related to having been brought in, but they did just fine all night long. I am pretty sure they would have woken me up with that kind of racket.

I put her back in when I got home before lunch, and while she tried pecking and picking a little at first (and they gave her a really wide berth), within 15 or 20 minutes, she/he was on the roost with others beside. So I don't know. She didn't want a whole lot of the yogurt like usual, but did go walking right through it. (really, I have two more than the others that will stand in the middle of the plate and not eat a whole lot, and those are the two that did the chest bumping the first time and one of them is this one).

I don't know that I've seen any other roo-ey behavior; it gets treats just the same and goes sneaking off with them, and doesn't seem to be concerned or startled with noises and acts like the others, except not even as curious. And, at this point, there doesn't seem to be a protective bone in his/her body, but that could just be adolescence.

I guess I'm just going to have to wait and see. Do these start trying to crow around 5 weeks like some other breeds?

I am *definitely* keeping my eye on this, though. This was the first time I've seen them that freaked out.

Thanks for you input!