First Time Chick Parents, Spring 2016

[Jensownzoo]

Yes, once I recover from the metric TON of hardware cloth I just bought (plus I ran four Lowe's out of 1" fender washers), might see about getting one.

 

[ladynewtochicks]

I never thought I'd be so happy to see the little buggers go, but I am officially rooster free!... Or so I hope. Made my last ditch attempt and posted them for free on every site I could think of and I got a taker for all 3 in just a couple hours

no freezer camp for them. 12 hens is my final count out of 16 so I guess that's not too bad. Now I just hope they all adjust to the new pecking order easily.

 

[Jensownzoo]

Thought I'd start introducing some of my flock as I get pictures.

Here's Cab Calloway, a white Silkie with an incorrect comb. He reminded me of Cab in his white suit--first introduced to me on Sesame Street! He's huge, fluffy, and very dignified.

 

[Jensownzoo]

This is Polly, a Sicilian Buttercup. She got her name for being too impatient for me to dish out the fermented feed, instead choosing to fly up to my shoulder to eat directly from the bucket. She's a sweet, pretty little thing.

 

[jessschlles4]

She's a cutie!

 

[Jensownzoo]

This is Bruiser, a Partidge bantam Cochin. He was hatched with his entire beak pointing off to the side, sort of like a broken-nosed boxer, hence the name. I think since I do fermented feed, he's never had an issue eating. A few months ago, I noticed that his top beak was growing over the bottom, a little to the side. Now he's a true scissor-beak...his bottom beak is perfectly aligned and the top is to the side. Still doesn't have any issues. He was trying to breed the ladies way back when he was 3 weeks old, but isn't top roo in that coop. I have one more partridge roo and one pullet his age. I just got a few more to replace some of the birds that I lost because (1) they had them at the farm store and (2) I think these guys are pretty and personable. The cochins and silkies are going to brood for me, but I may hatch some of this breed's own eggs. Crooked beaks being undesirable, we'll see if he has to be relocated temporarily when that happens.

The door was just cut to allow them into the secure run, so he's still not too sure about coming out...but he likes to peek!

 

[cannon6]

This is "Big Daddy". He was gifted to us along with 10 7week old longhorn and comet pullets. We named him Big Daddy because of his cocky attitude. Lol I am brand new at having chickens and have only had them for a cpl weeks but they have already brought me such joy and I'm continuously thinking of ways to improve their home. I almost dread when the fall comes and I have to return to work when school starts....I'd rather jst stay home and garden and be with the chickens haha

 

[cannon6]

This is Bruiser, a Partidge bantam Cochin. He was hatched with his entire beak pointing off to the side, sort of like a broken-nosed boxer, hence the name. I think since I do fermented feed, he's never had an issue eating. A few months ago, I noticed that his top beak was growing over the bottom, a little to the side. Now he's a true scissor-beak...his bottom beak is perfectly aligned and the top is to the side. Still doesn't have any issues. He was trying to breed the ladies way back when he was 3 weeks old, but isn't top roo in that coop. I have one more partridge roo and one pullet his age. I just got a few more to replace some of the birds that I lost because (1) they had them at the farm store and (2) I think these guys are pretty and personable. The cochins and silkies are going to brood for me, but I may hatch some of this breed's own eggs. Crooked beaks being undesirable, we'll see if he has to be relocated temporarily when that happens.

The door was just cut to allow them into the secure run, so he's still not too sure about coming out...but he likes to peek!

They are so beautiful!

 

[GardenNut]

X2! Definitely beautiful!

 

[GardenNut]

My BO who just started crowing today broke his top beak a few weeks ago, so now he's a bit scissor-beaked too, but he's had no problems eating and drinking. I don't know if he caught the top on something in the fence or what. He does look funny though.