New to Chickens

[Alaskan]

It will be fun to see what breeds you manage to find.

 

[Oldmomma]

Here is my babies at aprox 2

months. Im guessing purely by size and comparing to images online. They are getting where I open the door they come over to see what juicy tidbits I have to offer them. Hoping to make them as tame as possible because if they get out im going to have rough time catching them. If I get them tame they will come when called like our rabbit and turtle do! I got a lovely video of them grazing on fresh greens but uploading things from here is hard. Photos I have to reduce by half. But here is this weeks shot.

 

[Alaskan]

Very pretty!

 

[Oldmomma]

Another thing I noticed and will make me more alert next time is tail feather growth. Both of them had almost no tail feathers when I got them now that I have begun to pay more attention to them, past my excitement of buying them, I noticed that it wasnt undeveloped feathers. These had been cut off to appear younger. This thought came to me the other day when the reddish one was feeding I noticed a blood spot on the ground then when the black one was near it would nip it rear end. I finally noticed a bloody area. Having had tropical birds in the usa I was aware of blood feathers. So I grabbed a bit of flour and caught her. While I was medicating the bird is when I paid more attention. The feathers hadnt been nipped off by other birds in a crowded cage, they had been cut with shears. Now if feather tips are early indicators of sex well I may have two roos but for now it will be ok as im learning and might want to have breed pairs. Also when they stretched their wings one day I noticed feathers on the wings had been cut back as well with sheers. So they could be hiding sex or age to unaware buyers. So next time I shall be wiser. Not be so anxious to buy cause im a female surrounded by men and just grab what looks cute but take my time to check conditions of them. Im thankful they are healthy so far.
I guess with all the stool samples I can see any threads on normal stools. My lovely balcony has gotten pretty dirty but with the rain I will wash it down and not have to worry about cleanup to the court yard below as much. They dont have guttering here either.

 

[Oldmomma]

Ok I tried really hard not to get anymore chicks but 3rd time down the row I finally saw biddies put out. I picked these two and my friend said one is from egypt and the other here, which means its commonly found. They are about 1 week old she said. As I was walking home I found an old birds cage and some mesh for the bottom. By afternoon they had a nice little cage set up. They dont know how lucky they are. So here is a view from top of them cause they were sleeping. Any ideas on breeds? The one with the black on the head they said was from egypt. I tried to put them with the older ones but the grey started picking at them so for now they will be in cages and I found a tile crate that was undamaged so I can use it to make a house with few alterations. So excited. Glad market is only 2 times a week!

 

[Oldmomma]

Found names. Since sexing will be and unknown for most chicks I will use unisex names. Decided to use the names Armat for the one with the spot which means Spring Soltice in Native Amazigh and Equinox for the other. Or Ari and Eqi for short. The two I bought last month will be Amwan for the reddish chick (autumn) and Tagrst for the grey (winter). Going to be fun using their names and im sure to get looks.
My friend has a very diminutive black rooster and I took some photos of him. His comb is very unusual as well. Its like a cluster on his head i could see nothing online that looked like it. His cheeks are white, red comb but she says he is full grown. He is the size of my 2 month old chickens. They call him a Kenya. Thinking referring to coloring than place of origin. She is excited to find out more about him. He is not very loud either.

 

[Oldmomma]

While I was at the market I was able to photograph a few monster chickens also saw one I was hoping to find a Polish one blk/white fluffy ball but the man wanted 70 bucks. I asked if he had babies. I got pics of a few birds so maybe folks can get an idea of what I hope to find here once I get better set.

 

[Oldmomma]

These are my four chicks currently. I think the golden one Amwan is a buff orpington? Other grey Tagrst unsure. The two biddies have similar markings but Armat has a eye mask and darker spot on head while Equinox has no mask and lighter markings, Ideas? I will continue to post images weekly or monthly as they develop if for nothing more than growth recording. Tagrst has darker comb and waddles but both are around same size so far. Looked at feathers seem rounded but this is a full learning experience! I look at everything as a way to educate since I home school my younger kids. Also helps others learn.

 

[Oldmomma]

 

[Oldmomma]