hens or roosters - best guesses please

[elphabafalls]

They were exceptionally lucky to have found a home with you and your family. I'm sure you'll make sure they get the care and love they need to thrive, no matter what caused the issue! They are cute little pitiful babies! The kind that tug the heartstrings. I can see how you fell in love and had to rescue them! Good job on that!

If you look at our flock, there are 10 that are just gorgeous. They're happy and busy and responsive. Their feathers are perfect and velvety soft and I have to resist petting them like puppies. Then, your eyes fall on these 2 lol. Rain runs around all the time with that turkey neck stretched out. When she dust baths with Blue, she wallers all over and under her. Blue has to be tricked out of the coop and into the run because she is very suspicious of us. Since the run is movable to give them new grass everyday, we have to get her out of the coop instead of letting her come up on her own. We do our best to keep her stress down, and she's getting better, but she still runs from us. Not even Rain runs from us. There's such a difference between these 2 and our other 10 in looks and behavior, but we're working on it. Our rooster, Jude, is very dominant with the hens, but he's my baby. I will sometimes bring them treats on a paper plate. (I don't leave the plate - I just transport the treats one them) When he sees me carrying a plate, Jude will run along side me while looking up at me and talking. They ALL know what the paper plate means though lol. Sorry to ramble. Thank you for letting me brag on my babies. We're watching the 2 very closely to make sure that they're improving and that there are no symptoms we've previously missed. They are loved and they've got a forever home with us.

 

[InterestingChickens]

Actually, the ones we got from Tractor Supply were in perfect condition. I may have not been clear. The 2 with the feather issues are from a hatchery, but it reminded us of a chicken version of a puppy mill. The larger Orpingtons looked like miniature ostriches - they were HUGE - and then there was our tiny Rain hiding in the corner. I grabbed her and said, "We're taking this one home." There was poop everywhere. The chickens looked panicked and vacant. They smelled so bad. I don't mean they stunk because they had poop on their feet. I mean their skin and feathers smelled foul. It took forever to be able to pick them up and not gag. Now, they smell like ours - like nothing. when ours see us coming toward the run or coop, they run up to us because they assume we are either going to give them a treat or at least talk to them. If we come up to the coop or run and just start talking to them, they will gather around and follow our every move. Believe it or not, the Tractor Supply here keeps their chick area clean and the chicks sell so fast that there's no fighting issues. When they get new chicks, they're generally gone with 72 hours.

Oh, that's good. Sad that there are chicks that aren't treated well though.

 

[MotherOHens]

I am so glad you rescued them! I bet they'll turn out to be the happiest hens.
You have the patience and the determination, sounds like you've made them a happy life, they will both come around in no time!