fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[3KillerBs]

Learning to avoid the Big Boyz...

Arby was the aggressor, but didn't seem to be trying to injure the littles. When "Green" and "Purple/red" attacked previously they looked intent on hurting the Dominiques. Those two cockerels are on the "Well, bye!" list.

Looks like they're just telling the littles that they're boss and not to get ideas.

 

[fuzzi]

Uh oh...

Looks like a boy...

 

[fuzzi]

It's "Blue".

He's getting better.

 

[NanaK]

Uh oh...
View attachment 3504135

View attachment 3504136

View attachment 3504138

Looks like a boy...

I saw that lighter one a couple posts previously. I was suspicious but I didn't know for sure as I've never had a barred breed.

 

[fuzzi]

I saw that lighter one a couple posts previously. I was suspicious but I didn't know for sure as I've never had a barred breed.

Two of them are lighter...are boys lighter?!



Cackle had a 90% sexing guarantee. Looks like I'll be getting a refund

 

[NanaK]

I think boys are lighter but I've not had a barred breed other than Cream Legbars (autosexing). So I would check the breed or gender forum to be sure.

They are 4 weeks right? Are the lighter one's combs starting to thicken or color up? I can't tell comb size and color in the photos.

 

[fuzzi]

I think boys are lighter but I've not had a barred breed other than Cream Legbars (autosexing). So I would check the breed or gender forum to be sure.

They are 4 weeks right? Are the lighter one's combs starting to thicken or color up? I can't tell comb size and color in the photos.

They're 4 1/2 weeks, will be 5 weeks on Wednesday.

The combs do appear to be thickening, but this one (Yellow/purple) is redder than the others.

You can see the combs of Green, Red (back to camera), and Blue (on ground) here:

A couple more:

One on the right is lighter, comb not red.

This is Purple:

I've not handled the Dominiques as much as I did the Sussex, so they're not easy to pick up for close-ups.

 

[NanaK]

Their comb may be a tiny bit thicker but not really pink from what I can tell.

Just did a quick search seems at hatch females have a very defined head spot and males is more diffuse/messy. After feathering the males are lighter than the females.

Here's one thread where the OP posted she indeed had 2 males and 2 females with photo showing the light vs dark.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/help-sexing-my-dominique-chicks-please.1232756/
I'm sure there are other threads too.

 

[fuzzi]

Dominiques at 4 1/2 weeks...

"Purple/yellow" - boy
"Purple" - possible boy
"Yellow" - probable female
"Blue"- probable female
"Green"- probable female
"Red" - probable female

Photos from today:

"Purple" (has the lighter plumage):

Either "Purple/yellow" or "Purple" in front.
"Yellow" in back:

"Purple/yellow"

"Purple" and "Purple/yellow"

"Blue" and "Yellow"

"Blue"

"Yellow"

"Green"

"Red"

 

[fuzzi]

Stayed home from work due to not feeling well this morning. After noon I walked outside and opened the grow-out pen door enough to allow the Dominiques to escape into the hoop coop. A short time later I checked on them and all six were in the safe area I created between the pen and the side of the hoop coop.

Checking a few minutes ago I saw that two were back in the pen. And while I was looking at my phone Red and then Purple and Yellow snuck back inside as well, probably for those delicious grapes and mush I'd offered.

They slide under the door:

The Sussex don't appear to be ambushing the little ones this afternoon...