Illinois...

[Faraday40]

My bargain bin chicks are doing well. (I mentioned that F&F had them on clearance. I may not have mentioned that I impulsively brought 2 home.)

This curious Easter Egger ran up to me while I was reading the signage. She cocks her head like she's trying to understand conversation. She has such a unique look. Dark gray with a brown head and blonde frosted tips on her muffs.

Can't have just one, so I grabbed another EE to be her buddy. This one loves to be rubbed on her cheeks and under beak. (I'm guessing they're EE because of those cheeks)

Xansie's eggs are due to hatch tonight, so I originally planned to slip these chicks under her on hatch day. However, Chaos was stubbornly sitting in the nest box for 5-6 days. I wasn't having much luck breaking her. I put the EEs under Chaos. She is inexperienced, so it took a couple tries. She didn't peck at them..... but seemed confused by their presence. Things finally clicked yesterday. To monitor them more closely, I brought them inside for the night. By morning, Chaos was tid-bitting and the chicks were hen-surfing.

On sad news, my 9 year old EE (Tyrion) is slowing down. I see her limping this morning with swollen toe joints. (no bumblefoot, no leg mites, shanks are fine) Looks like gout. My OEs were supposed to be her back up, but I really don't like them. They're feral pullets. I think they may be laying.... but have no idea where! Those girls will be sold.

My annoying Olive Eggers turned 20 weeks on Thursday. They're supposed to be CCL x Welsummer.
Thing 1

Thing 2

 

[Faraday40]

@Molpet
Turkey update= They're getting bigger - except for the wings which I clipped.
I think middle is a female; other 2 look male.

Biggest one made me nervous a couple times. He doesn't like my camera and turns red/blue when he sees it. He's also protective of the chickens. I picked up a hen and she squawked. The big boy got very alert, changed color, watched me closely, and was making his "I'm scared" noises. I walked around the yard a bit and gave chickens some treats. Turkey calmed down. (I admit I picked up a stick just in case he got ideas.)

 

[Molpet]

@Molpet
Turkey update= They're getting bigger - except for the wings which I clipped.
I think middle is a female; other 2 look male.
View attachment 2806360

Biggest one made me nervous a couple times. He doesn't like my camera and turns red/blue when he sees it. He's also protective of the chickens. I picked up a hen and she squawked. The big boy got very alert, changed color, watched me closely, and was making his "I'm scared" noises. I walked around the yard a bit and gave chickens some treats. Turkey calmed down. (I admit I picked up a stick just in case he got ideas.)
View attachment 2806361

I agree middle female, right male, left could be a male.
Looking nice for Thanksgiving

 

[Faraday40]

I agree middle female, right male, left could be a male.
Looking nice for Thanksgiving

Yes, good for Thanksgiving - unless the big guy decides to challenge me. (He could end up being a birthday dinner next month.)

I've seen the 2 fight, so I'm pretty sure both male. I knew one was male at 7 weeks old. He curiously approached a rabbit. When the rabbit stayed he dropped a wing and did a circle dance. The confused rabbit twitched. Instantly the turkey puffed up and fanned his tail. The rabbit ran off - probably because I was laughing so hard.

My neighbors love the turkeys and feed them daily. They're amused by the turkey antics.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

@Molpet I'm thinking mine is a girl. What do you think?

 

[Molpet]

@Molpet I'm thinking mine is a girl. What do you think?View attachment 2806547View attachment 2806549View attachment 2806568

Looks more like a female than a male to me too

 

[Molpet]

He curiously approached a rabbit. When the rabbit stayed he dropped a wing and did a circle dance. The confused rabbit twitched. Instantly the turkey puffed up and fanned his tail. The rabbit ran off - probably because I was laughing so hard.

LOL poor rabbit
Dominate females can display too, I have been fooled before.... until the jakes get a growth spurt

 

[homeschoolin momma]

@Faraday40 Here are my July 4 babies. Obviously the two blues are cockerels. But the lavender is throwing me. It has a small comb and wattles, but it's face is very feminine. It is also fully feathered out whereas the cockerels are not. It also screams the least when I pick it up. What do you think? Also here is their serama sibling that need to come to you.

 

[User105877]

Father and son trying to stay dry today.

 

[Faraday40]

@Faraday40 Here are my July 4 babies. Obviously the two blues are cockerels. But the lavender is throwing me. It has a small comb and wattles, but it's face is very feminine. It is also fully feathered out whereas the cockerels are not. It also screams the least when I pick it up. What do you think? Also here is their serama sibling that need to come to you. View attachment 2806592View attachment 2806593View attachment 2806614View attachment 2806615View attachment 2806616View attachment 2806617

Blues are 100% boy. Although the lav has the faster feather growth and angular girl face, it still could be a slow maturing male. I wouldn't make any plans just yet with that one.