Sad for the lossesI’m in the coop (counting my chickens.) This is a fairly large coop, and I’m starting to think that there are just not enough chickens in here. Only my nine left. After Beethov-Hen, Emily, and Rocks-Anne now gone, this ol place seems a little empty.
Breeding lines on the 2 of them: I suspect they're both from either PITA or Blanche (or one from each) and Cheetah. The blue would definitely be from either of those ladies. They both have Cheetah's comb (in black, matching their legs) and a sleek, lean almost delicate looking build. One hatched under Jessica, the other a couple of days later in the incubator and was the only one Jess adopted. That one had a hint of brown in her back down. No idea on the first. Close inspection wasn't possible. Now that they're mostly feathered out, I'm not sure which is which anymore. I'm kinda hoping there's some gold/red bleed through in the adult moult to make id easier, but a month and a half +/- to reach that point.
Red-barred Cochins? (I think the black is dominate though).Sad for the losses
But.......are chickies in your future???
I don't know if you'll like my suggestions for a name, but the one clear mug under Jessica just looks absolutely like our wild Cat Birds!!!
So how about 'Donatella' (Grey catbirds are in the genus 'Dumetella') I will say, our cat birds are a bit darker then the ones show as grey catbirds...so I wonder if they are a variant?) 
Looks to me like Lilly at her finest!!
'Iron Beak", but still so much a chicken (scratching, digging, getting the beak right in there!)
Azure is one we've thought about (such a vibrant color, I'm leaning more toward a cockerel for it, but will likely use it at some point). Donatella is an entirely new suggestion. Not sure I like the name, but the background I REALLY like (birdwatching is fun). Obviously this requires some thought....and maybe a browse through the bird book (new train of thought). Thanks!I don't know if you'll like my suggestions for a name, but the one clear mug under Jessica just looks absolutely like our wild Cat Birds!!!
?You could always shorten it to 'Ella" as a nick name?
Donatella means 'beautiful gift' or 'gift of the gods'
Edit to add: How about Azure? Azure is blue (though, Iam partial to your name 'indigo'
I see what you mean about the cat birds.I don't know if you'll like my suggestions for a name, but the one clear mug under Jessica just looks absolutely like our wild Cat Birds!!!
?You could always shorten it to 'Ella" as a nick name?
Donatella means 'beautiful gift' or 'gift of the gods'
Edit to add: How about Azure? Azure is blue (though, Iam partial to your name 'indigo'
That’s kinda what I meant by posting that! It’s sad to lose some, but I can’t be too sad. I think of the future.Sad for the losses
But.......are chickies in your future???
When Baby was a chick with her brother until I could tell I had a boy and girl the pair were called Frick and Frack.I WAS going to do different mugs, but the deer moved off before it was light enough to get fawn mugs. So instead, some from last night's sunbathing. It rained most of yesterday afternoonAAnAnd the clouds broke up (temporarily
)just in time for the gloaming (the warm golden tones just before sunset). The younger crew took advantage.View attachment 3138150Hector...Asphodel half off screen doing the chicken version of 100 brush strokes before bed. This lot is also going through the voice change.....lots of honking squeaks.
View attachment 3138151Behind Hector, Ember watching Asphodel while Whiskey and Horus (top) do their own 100 strokes.
Mmeanwhile inside...
View attachment 3138152The "clones" are getting big enough Jessica is getting challenged covering them. She's also been a bit less vigilant about chasing encroaching babes away and the pair are getting a little bit of interaction with the 5 (Whiskey the most). watching them flit up to roost is a picture of grace and beauty. Their short flights have the same economy of motion as wild song birds flitting about the trees. Naming this pair is a challenge (no cockerel signs on either) and even if we settle on names, they're likely going to be interchangeable until after the 12 week moult/until combs show differences. Any suggestions?
