New Brahma Group: Blue Partridge x Partridge, Plus Dark

[speckledhen]

Yes they are. I find it adorable the leg feathers are coming in before the body feathers. I call them street sweeper feet on my d'uccle and cochins. It gives them an adorable hop skipping way of running that makes me smile every time.

I miss my little bantam Cochin rooster, Xander. He would run with his bedroom slipper feet, making me laugh watching him from behind. He was a force, too! Those big hens obeyed that little man like he was a big guy.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I miss my little bantam Cochin rooster, Xander. He would run with his bedroom slipper feet, making me laugh watching him from behind. He was a force, too! Those big hens obeyed that little man like he was a big guy.

I got a few of them Cochin roosters, 8 to be exact. They are the only ones that will fight with each other in the spring. I enjoy their confidence, and goofy antics, and they are adorable roosters too, who are really great with the hens no matter their size.

 

[speckledhen]

I got a few of them Cochin roosters, 8 to be exact. They are the only ones that will fight with each other in the spring. I enjoy their confidence, and goofy antics, and they are adorable roosters too, who are really great with the hens no matter their size.

Some days when big rooster dramas make me crazy, I really wonder what it would be like to let ALL the hens loose with just a couple of those little guys to watch out for them. Seems it would be much less complicated than separate breeding groups. And one day, I just might do that.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I don't breed any of my large breed hens generally, just some occasional bantams, so it's one big party around here. I have created a chicken heaven for both them and me.

My large breed roosters have a pecking order and never fight which always surprises me, but the lower guy can get away, and he does. I have 3 older and 3 from this year.

I really love my bantam cochins, and they come in every color, both frizzle and smooth.

 

[speckledhen]

Brandy has one chick hatched and the rest are pipped (I felt around under her and think I felt a good size pip on each one). The chick, even in the semi-darkness of the barn this rainy morning, was really dark! Have to check later after the rain stops. Today is Day 21 for her.


ETA: At 10:15 a.m., she hatched a second chick. I didn't get a look at it, just reached under her and removed the shell. She's an easy broody, very sweet, unlike her sister, Bonnie, who gets a bit pecky at this stage of the game.

ETA, again: Make that THREE chicks hatched, the other three are pipped.

 

[speckledhen]

Four chicks are out, last two pipped. The first one is super dark, the fourth one is the lightest so far. The other two are in between, as far as I can tell in their semi-wet state. Pics of #1 and #4 to start off the incessant chick pics of this hatch!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Oh, again so cute, mail them my way? I know you don't do that but I can hope.

 

[speckledhen]

Oh, again so cute, mail them my way? I know you don't do that but I can hope.

Most all of these may already be sold, depending on what hatches, but they are so adorable. Five of the six are out, the last one still just pipped. Thankfully, I have faith in Brandy as a broody mama because it's going to be much colder for the next few days, especially at night.

 

[speckledhen]

MORE! The last chick is out, finally! Here are some more pics. One has a grayish tone to the down mixed in with the usual brown-beige-gold. Makes me wonder if it belongs to my Dark Brahma hen, though I didn't think I got any of her eggs. Will get more pictures tomorrow when they are all fluffy and full of themselves.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yay, all hatched again? I was admiring the beautiful markings on your hens chest.