Is 9wk old Lil Peep a Roo and what type of chicken is he/her?

[Greengirly68]

Oddly enough, the white feathers appearing is something I've never heard about. Do you mean molting into them, or just them growing randomly?

What do you think about him being a black copper maran? He has the coloring, feathered feet, and he is getting some time bits of copper on the back of his neck and hackles.

 

[NatJ]

What do you think about him being a black copper maran? He has the coloring, feathered feet, and he is getting some time bits of copper on the back of his neck and hackles.

He has the wrong kind of comb, so he is definitely not a purebred Marans.

Bits of copper or red in those areas are quite common in cockerels from many different mixes of parents, so he could be part Marans or he could just as easily be something completely different.

 

[Winderdear]

Oddly enough, the white feathers appearing is something I've never heard about. Do you mean molting into them, or just them growing randomly?

My Cuckoo Marans chick also has a few white wing feathers, and has since her first feathers came in. She’s 10 weeks now, and just starting to drop them. I’m curious to see if her new ones will also be white. I’ve heard (as NatJ said) that she might not have them when she’s mature. I’ll miss them if that does happen, I have always found them really pretty.


This was their first trip outside, and even though it’s blurry, they were so happy fluttering around for the first time that it became a treasured photo for me. You can see her on the right with her white wing feathers.


You can see them here in better focus

 

[Chicalina]

I plan on upgrading them to a nice greenhouse in my back yard. We have an acre. I want to take my time to make it perfect against predators. How long do you think I have? The kennel is 6x10. I have a dirt bath area, roots, vegi treat bag...

I would probably try and build something bigger by the time they reach full size. Or maybe just keep 5 of them. Or do what I suggest below.

There is a recommended square footage per bird for runs and coops, you can probably find it on this site or elsewhere online. And then most people say you should double it because these official 'recommended' calculations are for commercial birds being reared intensively on battery farms and which live short lives. Backyard keepers have different aims, which is to provide long, happy, fulfilled, harmonious and interesting lives to their chickens.

Not enough space can lead to stress and discord. You can increase what you already have by using vertical space, as in putting things they can jump on and perch, like an old chair, a rope swing, some outdoor perches, an old tote lid on a brick stack, this is what is called a home made chicken gym. It doesn't need to be costly or fancy. Some old wood can easily be repurposed.

Also if you build a new one, I would recommend a wooden shed and an open sided run rather than a greenhouse, as they get super hot in summer. Even your plastic side sheeting now could be just wire. So many coop and run ideas on this forum. Take a look. What you have now isn't bad, but you could improve it.

I maximise my limited space with various chicken gym arrangements, free ranging and only keeping bantams!

I wish I had an acre!

 

[Greengirly68]

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Look at him now!!

 

[Winderdear]

Look at him now!!

He’s so handsome!

Is his eye ok? Maybe it’s just the lighting, but it looks a bit strange to me.

 

[Greengirly68]

He’s so handsome!

Is his eye ok? Maybe it’s just the lighting, but it looks a bit strange to me.

Naw. He has flecked hazel eyes. They are very healthy and alert.