fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[fuzzi]

Is it the Dominiques that are always trying to get out or are the Sussex sneaky too?

My Dominique is much more wily than my Marans, and will take every chance she gets to slip between my boots and get out into the yard. She often sneaks by my husband when he is scooping out their coop.

Ah, the number of times I’ve heard him shout “Dadgummit little chicken, you get back here!” and then turn to see Juin running by at lightning speed to scratch under the nearest rose bush…

Actually, both do it, but the Sussex are a little smaller, so better at slipping through!

 

[Winderdear]

Actually, both do it, but the Sussex are a little smaller, so better at slipping through!

Lol, well I hope your new fencing setup can contain them!

 

[fuzzi]

Around the coop today...

Zacchaeus!

I pulled carrots this morning, brought the greens into the run. Even the May chicks were grabbing beakfuls, everyone but Zack. I took a couple carrot greens stalks over to where he was perched, on the back of my chair. He watched me carefully, not sure about The Giant. I very slowly extended a carrot green until it was directly in front of his beak. He didn't respond immediately, but eventually pecked at it.

"Hmm. Pretty good."

So I broke off the individual leaves and offered them to him, cautiously, one at a time. After a couple minutes Zack started taking greens from my fingertips (no blood!), woo!

I secured the second feeder so they don't knock it over...again.

I've been seeing a bunch of Dominique feathers around the run, looks like someone is molting. Thinking that feeding the flock some extra protein might be a good idea I brought trimmings from our own chicken dinner leftovers and witnessed Clucks Amuck!

I tried to toss a few pieces to Zack but he wasn't able to stand his ground, had to retreat from the onslaught of hens. He is only 2 months old, poor little fella.

 

[fuzzi]

Lol, well I hope your new fencing setup can contain them!

I hope so, too.

 

[fuzzi]

After dark last night...

 

[lightm]

Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen!

Boy or Girl?

#1 Purple
View attachment 3861202

#2 Lime
View attachment 3861203

#3 Yellow (boy)
View attachment 3861204

#4 Pink (BOY!)
View attachment 3861205

#5 Aqua
View attachment 3861209

#6 Blue
View attachment 3861210

In my unlearned opinion, I believe it's 50/50.

My guess is Purple, lime, aqua, blue are girls.

 

[fuzzi]

My guess is Purple, lime, aqua, blue are girls.

Hope so!

 

[fuzzi]

Zack has a tail, it just doesn't show at this angle. He's mixing more with the flock, though wary of an occasional irritable hen!

Wisp watching chicks...

 

[fuzzi]

Aha! I see the tail...

Zacchaeus isn't hiding as much, though he moves quickly when one of the hens is in a fowl mood!

 

[fuzzi]

Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen!

Boy or Girl?

#1 Purple
View attachment 3861202

#2 Lime
View attachment 3861203

#3 Yellow (boy)
View attachment 3861204

#4 Pink (BOY!)
View attachment 3861205

#5 Aqua
View attachment 3861209

#6 Blue
View attachment 3861210

In my unlearned opinion, I believe it's 50/50.

One week later...

#1 Purple (possible girl)

#2 Lime

#3 Yellow (ALL boy!)

Even his stance screams "cockerel"!

#4 Pink (boy)

#5 Aqua.

(I don't like the look of that comb)

#6 Blue (possible girl)

They'll be 4 weeks old on Thursday and Friday.