Meet Knuckles the faverolle. Is Knuckles a Roo or Pullet?

[JerseyHen]

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Welp. I can't say I am impressed by them. I didn't expect much, since they are hatchery quality (and for laying/pets), but I expected them to not have a bunch of bent toes, odd beaks, and completely off coloration. Three of the faverolles look right, the other two have black (knuckles having the most). They are all very sweet though. I would be very happy to have an off/oddly colored faverolle hen vs. another roo. I do think the faverolle roos are beautiful (and if I had to have a roo it would be a faverolle).

 

[JerseyHen]

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Too bad you are so far away, you could have your choice... They are also very sweet and I think I will keep at least one.

 

[JerseyHen]

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I plan on it, but there policy says 8 weeks. How can you be certain you have a roo at 8 weeks? I am going to call them anyway. They only refund the difference between the cost of male and female anyway (I doubt they would ship replacements for 4). So, I would get about $5 for the 4 roos. That doesn't even cover the feed or bedding on one of them, not to mention the absence of potential eggs from 4 birds. I knew the risks when I ordered from a hatchery, so I am not looking for any sympathy or anything, but it is a bit irritating.

 

[JerseyHen]

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I hope you are right. What is it in the second pic that confirms she is a hen?

I am trying to learn as much as I can. Is it the body shape, carriage, feathering, color?

Eventually, I would like to work with higher quality birds, but I wanted to try my first flock with less risk though so that is why I went with hatchery birds to learn from (and enjoy and have eggs).

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

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I hope you are right. What is it in the second pic that confirms she is a hen?

I am trying to learn as much as I can. Is it the body shape, carriage, feathering, color?

Eventually, I would like to work with higher quality birds, but I wanted to try my first flock with less risk though so that is why I went with hatchery birds to learn from (and enjoy and have eggs).

Mostly it's the salmon coloring covering most of her body, but also feather shape and tail carriage. The black on her is just an extreme case of "smuttyness". You should check out the Fav breed thread, there are some really great folks over there and you will learn a TON.

You've chosen a fantastic breed, by the way!!!

 

[JerseyHen]

Quote:
I hope you are right. What is it in the second pic that confirms she is a hen?

I am trying to learn as much as I can. Is it the body shape, carriage, feathering, color?

Eventually, I would like to work with higher quality birds, but I wanted to try my first flock with less risk though so that is why I went with hatchery birds to learn from (and enjoy and have eggs).

Mostly it's the salmon coloring covering most of her body, but also feather shape and tail carriage. The black on her is just an extreme case of "smuttyness". You should check out the Fav breed thread, there are some really great folks over there and you will learn a TON.

You've chosen a fantastic breed, by the way!!!

I have been lurking on the fav breed thread for some time. It is a lot to read... They do seem very sweet and are very vocal with me when I am hanging out with them. I am experimenting with favs, brahmas, wellsummers, SSussex, PBR, to see what breed I like the best before moving onto breeder quality birds. I selected these because of their reputations for being quiet, docile, and friendly (the wellsummers we picked solely for the eggs). So far all are very nice. The SS are the most standoffish of the group (except for 1 of them), the PBR are the most outgoing, the brahmas are the mellowest, and the faverolles are the most timid but very friendly. I love them all. I can't believe how different each birds personality is, even within the breed. One of the favs is so off, beak won't close because the top is too curved or bottom is overgrown (not sure which), her beard is pecked out by the others all the time, she is smaller (probably doesn't get as much to eat), her coloring is ok, but she is my favorite. We named her rose. She is just so sweet and tries to roost on me every night when I go in to do the nightly water and food exchange. She gives me the most dejected look when I have to remove her from my body (she sits on me the entire time I am working in there).

 

[JerseyHen]

Just thought I would post an update: Both turned out to be hens. The really dark one has lightened up quite a lot. Both are laying eggs and are very noisy and healthy girls. Thanks for your posts!
They are now named "charlie" and "gigi"