New Brahma Group: Blue Partridge x Partridge, Plus Dark

[speckledhen]

I tried a little experiment. Since Bonnie is not mothering her three chicks anymore, I let Brandy out of her covered pen, but kept her five chicks inside it. Then, we brought the three from the barn over and put them inside. The chicks worked it out, the largest Barred Rock cockerel telling everyone that he was here and now in charge, etc. But then, we put Brandy back inside to see what she'd do about the three newcomers. At first it was fine. She spotted all three of the stranger-chicks immediately and lightly tapped each on the head, but the big BR cockerel made a mistake. He looked her in the eye, almost challenged her. After that, she kept going to him and giving him the Evil Eye, tapping him on the head just a little bit harder every time.

What was very interesting was that two of her own batch would go stand between her and the BR boy when she got aggressive with him. They did it several times, like they were guarding their new pal from their mom. We thought maybe we might be able to integrate the three with her five and she'd be okay with them, until she began doing a real search-and-destroy mission on the BR cockerel. I had to rescue him from her. She never attacked the small BR male or the Brahma chick, just the big boy. I could just hear Lou Gossett's voice from An Officer and a Gentleman coming out of Brandy's beak, saying," Boy! Don't you eyeball me, boy!"


I am not sure if they are Partridge or Blue Partridge yet, not feathered enough, but I am fairly sure there are three pullets and one cockerel. If it's right, I can sell a pair and keep two pullets for Bash or to flesh out another rooster's harem in the barn.



ETA: Someone already wants the pair. She is willing to wait until Brandy loosens the apron strings a bit. That will give me time to see if they are PT or blue PT. Personally, I'm not as fond of splash partridge as the others, but they're still cool birds, just can't see the pattern on them as well, it seems to me.


They are at the ugly dinosaur stage right now, but I do think we have one male and two females in this group and I do believe the 5 week old is a pullet as well. There is only one with orange chest/shoulder feathers and a big raised up comb. If you see a color difference and note that you see a bl.pt, let me know! Or if you see another male, but I don't. These are 4 weeks old now.

@Sjisty
@junebuggena
@brahmapapa

















Can you tell what this is yet? He/she turned 5 weeks old Sunday and the chest feathers it has so far are patterned, BUT, that comb!

 

[speckledhen]

The obvious cockerel among the four Brahma chicks. Though I think I see pink in a couple of the others' combs, they don't stand up nor do those chicks have these solid red feathers like this guy.


Underneath that wing seems like this one is a blue partridge-do you see it?




But this one is still making me guess and it's a week older. It has coloring like Betsy did as a chick and if you recall, I thought she was a cockerel for awhile. There are no solid red feathers on chest or shoulders, so what do you think? @Sjisty ?

 

[Sjisty]

I'd like to see another side shot with better light. It's hard to tell from that one.

 

[speckledhen]

I'd like to see another side shot with better light. It's hard to tell from that one.

I'll try for a better one tomorrow. I was really focusing on the other chicks at that time. This was taken a day or so ago, same chick. The chest feathers are very patterned, not solid, reminds me of Betsy and her mahogany making her more reddish toned. I had her pegged as a cockerel for awhile. Maybe this is her chick.

 

[speckledhen]

Better pictures as requested, but first, the younger group, which appears to be the obvious cockerel, plus two pullets, one seems to be blue partridge and one partridge.
These are 5 weeks old. The trio is sold already. The one I think is blue partridge is noticeably larger than the straight partridge pullet (and friendlier).



Mini-me, LOL









Can't say yet if the cockerel is straight pt or blue pt. Can you tell?






NOW, the one that is confusing me. The feathers are female-patterned on chest and shoulders, BUT the comb is pink and the stance is always so upright. This one is older by a week than the obvious cockerel who has all the solid red feathers. @Sjisty
So, Janice, what is your call on this 6 week old chick? Since the other three are sold, I'm wondering if I'll be able to keep this one or if I have to sell a lone cockerel (or ask the lady if she wants two pairs rather than a trio, but she'd probably say no)

Chest feathers look just like Betsy's did last year about this time. I think it was @junebuggena who said she carried mahogany, which is why she was more reddish than the other pullets.

 

[Sjisty]

Another tough one, but I'm going out on a limb and saying pullet.

 

[speckledhen]

Another tough one, but I'm going out on a limb and saying pullet.

So you see why this one is so hard for me! If you, Oh, Queen of the Brahmas, are not quite sure, I sure ain't! LOL. I hope it's a girl only because it would be easier to keep her than to sell a cockerel with no pullet, even this variety. The feathers say girl, the comb is trying to torture me. I don't necessarily need to add to the flock now, but Bash would be happy with one more lady for his harem, surely. My BR roosters wouldn't turn her down, either!

 

[speckledhen]

The final call is one BLUE partridge cockerel, one BLUE partridge pullet and one Straight Partridge pullet on the 5 week old chicks. They are sold as a trio and going to a new home next weekend.

that the older one is indeed a pullet. She can stay. I'll have to come up with a "C" name for this new generation since all the parents are "B" names.

 

[1muttsfan]

Perfect

 

[speckledhen]

Perfect

I know, right? That boy will grow up to look like his daddy, such a stud muffin! Love these birds.