Greetings all you lovely D'uccle enthusiasts and fellow hatch-a-holics! Well, I'm officially up to my eyebrows in feather footed munchins that are peep crowing like crazy making me wonder if I have mostly cockerels. But none dare to peep a diddle peep when I'm in the room. Smart chickies.
We have 14 baby D's with 6 eggs left to hatch next Tuesday. Its amazing how these chicks can change from hatch to hatch. From the first batch, they are strong and thriving with super large (at this point) feathered feet. (The camera & computer "filed" my photos somewhere)
The next batch of 4 were small, a little different in color, one is actually yellower then the others and has a tail that seems to tip under a bit...wondering if "someone" flew over the pen wall for a conjugal visit with the bantam Cochin. Time will tell! Everyones tails tip up but one. Another unusual thing is that their outside toes tip under until they grow feathers and then they straighten out. The first and this last group have not shown any of these issues.
This last 6 that hatched, their muffs seem to be large, their down is almost around their legs and doing well. Lively, where some liked 90 degrees and thrived in that, this last group pant in 90 F and prefer out where its around 78F. What ever, they are funny, hopping and attacking the thermometer!
Anyways, been helping a friend through some rough times and she is enjoying these babies, nurturing is something we need when our nerves are frazzled. It seems to be the best medicine for my friend, I'm so glad these feathered friends are therapy for more then me.
Enjoy your peepers and send good thoughts to my friend! I do sneak in and read a bit, more like skim, so to keep up with the work and projects that are transpiring in beyond your pc screens! Be well and take care!
