Hello-I received an invitation to post,so I will start off with some sad news-and happy news.First,on the 2nd of April,my little 16-year-old bantam black cochin rooster died of heart failure,after his last meal.He had a heart murmur for the last 6 years or so,but was still quite active and feisty,until about a month before his death.He was the oldest chicken I had to date,outliving my 15-year-old partridge cochin hen(full size),my 14-1/2 year old brown leghorn,and my 13 year-old golden sebright.He had just celebrated his 16th birthday right before he left.He will be sorely missed.
I also lost my pal Jerry 2 months ago from a sudden heart attack as well.I had rescued a pair of red sex-link roosters,Tom and Jerry from some people who could not keep them--because these two "naughty boys" would not leave the geese and ducks alone!They were quite a pair,a comedy team that lived up to their cartoon character names!I got them home,and-true-to-form,they were in hot pursuit of my geese! But they were a friendly pair,and instead of wanting to be with the other chickens--they followed me around the shop in my barn! Now,I just have Tommy,who has found friendship(sorta) with one of my Americauna roosters,but it's just not the same without Jerry.He was the real life-of-the-party.
On the good side,I just acquired some new chicks from the feed store for the first time in several years.Last year,after I had moved to a much better location with a fixed-up barn,there was one baby that was born after my feisty little mixed-breed bantam boy bred with one of my red-star hens.My baby girl just turned one year old this last April 6th,and is doing well,just a bit on the small side,though,after a bit of a rocky start.One of my new chicks this year,turned out to be a very rare breed Svart Hona hen--and she is growing very large,very fast!About a third bigger than the other "girls" she is with.I would like to get more Brahmas,they are my favorite.
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