I have to talk POLISH!

[Maligator]

Does anyone have any techniques for sexing RCR's? I have three, one for sure looks like a pullet due to crest shape and feather shape. I have two that are kind of mysteries with very red pigment on their tiny waddle area and just behind the beak. Their feathers are kind of going all over the place right now and neither have very decent looking crests (hatchery stock). One even has olive colored legs and seemingly very stunted or no tail feathers. Not sure what to make of them! I'll post pics up ASAP but in the mean time, is it common for pullets to have the dark red pigment and larger waddles?

 

[draye]

Quote:
If they have wattles then they are most likely boys. I never seen girls with much of anything to call wattles.

 

[Maligator]

If they have wattles then they are most likely boys. I never seen girls with much of anything to call wattles.

That is what I thought but given their leghorn heritage I didn't know if the same rules applied. The odds were not kind to me this year, lol! I just found out that Yellow Rose Ranch will be selling some Polish chicks this Sat in Orangevale at the small animal exchange so I may swing by and grab some more color varieties!

 

[miohippus]

If they have wattles then they are most likely boys. I never seen girls with much of anything to call wattles.

depens on if they are bearded or not mine are non bearded and they have wattles these photos don't show it very well though




Roo


hen


hen

 

[heirloomorps]

We lost another Polish last night. So I don't think they were being picked on. I don't understand why they are dying so regularly and nothing else is.

 

[welasharon]

We lost another Polish last night. So I don't think they were being picked on. I don't understand why they are dying so regularly and nothing else is. 

What are their symptoms? I find the polish (tolbunt) and now spitzhauben chicks get stuff the others fly right by.

 

[heirloomorps]

What are their symptoms? I find the polish (tolbunt) and now spitzhauben chicks get stuff the others fly right by.

They seem fine one day, then get a bit lethargic and then I find them dead. They don't have any crust around their nose/beak, they aren't making any sneezing type sounds and they don't have pasty butt. They are all growing at the same rate so it's not the weaker/smaller ones which are dying. Their poop is normal. They are drinking and eating fine.

 

[welasharon]

The lethargy would lead me to treat for cocci just in case. They don't all show bloody stools.

 

[heirloomorps]

I would agree except we had chicks in the brooder with them originally and zero deaths... Cocci should have spread to them too.

 

[welasharon]

Yes it should...but were they polish or other breeds? I am finding that the polish get sick where the other breeds don't seem to be affected. Just my observation based on what I have happen and mine are tolbunt or tolbunt/GL splits and now spitzhaubens. I think the lower genetic diversity of these makes them weaker. Was just a thought...something has to be killing them that is affecting only them? They don't all have to get it for it to be cocci. The protazoa can just build up to be overwhelming to some and others it not bother at all. Can you get a fecal check done at a vet? That would tell you for sure...but unless you can get it today it may not be in time to help the chick.