Bought a chick from feed store (Pic Heavy!)

[MichaelC]

Hi folks.

I had a pet chicken as a boy (from age 7-16) and have been wanting to have another feathered family member ever since (! am now 36).

Well, in march I went down to the feed store and adopted "Peanut". He/She is really great and loves to be held and doted over. Peanut even likes to be held on his/her back, which seemed a little odd to me. Anyway, I was hoping some of you would be able to shed some light on whether Peanut is a boy or a girl, before the crowing/laying starts

Peanut does have a pale creamy comb with a touch of pink, and little budding wattles that are much pinker than the comb.

This is important because I am also looking to buy a home with a larger yard. If Peanut is a Roo, I'll need to look outside the city limits. If Peanut is a girl, then it doesn't really matter if I buy in town or not. Which is a little annoying, seeing as the neighbor's dog is far louder than any Roo I have heard!!

So, on with the pictures. The first is the day I brought Peanut home... 3-17-08. I think he/she was a few days old or so. The last pic is from today, about 9 weeks later. And a few others in-between

Peanut on 3-17-08

Peanut on 5-8-08 (Ignore the dirty beak, Peanut had just attacked my Cheescake!)

Peanut on 5-13-08

Peanut today 5-21-08

Thanks in advance!

 

[heritagebirds]

peanut looks like a Rhode Island Red to me, but I've only had them and Barred Rocks before.... that is until Friday!!!

 

[heritagebirds]

Looks like a pullet to me, too, but again, not very experienced.

 

[firem3]

looks like a hen to me.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

LOL...can you say spoiled chicken!!!!!

Some are going to say Peanut needs a chicken friend ASAP.....just a little forewarning there. Now, it looks to me like you have a pretty little Rhode Island Red hen there. However, if you have the option of moving where you can have lots of chickies and especiallly a gorgeous crowing roo, I would make that choice, myself, and get lots of chickens.

 

[MichaelC]

Yeah, sorry I do believe he/she is a RIR. Just not sure of the gender. Thanks by the way

Have any of you found your chickens like to be cradled on their back like Peanut?

 

[firem3]

its been my experience that if you hold one like you are they naturaly assume a cradling position, I dont know why but they do. when i have to handle mine and they get rowdy i flip them and they go into a cradle position and calm down.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Peanut is beautiful and looks just like our Rhode Island Red hens did at that age. Our rooster already had waddles by that time.

Our RIR's never really liked to be held and still don't, but our black sex-links always have and still do like to be held and cradled on their backs. Guess maybe it depends on the bird. She is a very lucky little bird!!!

 

[MichaelC]

Thanks everyone!

Yeah, you are right about moving outside town to have a few more, and so Peanut can have a boyfriend.

My only real concern, and it may be a stupid one, is would I be able to introduce more birds safely to Peanut once she is an adult? I'd be heartbroken if they were to fight and get hurt.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

Yes, you can introduce more chickens when they are grown. You just have to make sure they are of equal size and go slow. There are quite a few good threads on here about introducing new chickies to an established flock. She is a cutie and sounds like a lucky little girl.

Welcome to the world of chicken addiction!!!! Oh, and a huge part of the fun of having more than one is getting to enjoy all their different personalities. There is an endless variety and it is an absolute joy getting to know them.