- Jul 1, 2012
- 11
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Because I love the sounds of my hens clucking, we have a baby monitor in the chicken coop that feeds into my kitchen. (I know, odd, but it's a sweet sound). Yesterday morning, after I fed the chickens, I came in the house, and to my shock, I hear a Cock a doodle do! My mouth still gaping, my kids come running out of their rooms as it happens again and the heard it as well. Of course we are dying to know which of these girls is really a boy! (and are hoping we can get away with keeping him). Our chicken story is confusing - we bought 3 day old babies in May (I think a buff Orpington, Iowa Blue and an black austrolorp). So they are now about 2 months old. We then adopted six 1 year old rescues (who I only know are 'laying exotics' but don't know any of their breeds) and two buff Silkies that are now about 4-5 months old. Yes, its hard keeping them all separate and giving them together time, but it works 
The feed store says birds don't crow until 4-5 months of age, which would indicate the silkies, and one IS darker and has more wattle and comb than the other. However, the australorp 2 month old is looking a bit roostery to me - he struts around, and tries to jump on the other hens, makes sounds that are not chirpie anymore and sounds like a crow beginning (but not like the one I had yesterday). I don't have another austrolorp to compare him/her to. Help!! So, whoever has time and expertise, I would LOVE help identifying if one of those looks a bit roostery and identifying the breeds of the big girls....thank you!!
Honey, the 4.5 month old Silkie - much more pronounced waddle and comb than the other silkie...
Fuzzy (on the right) wouldn't hold still, but you can see she is much lighter, and there is NO waddle. She does have the tiny beginning of a comb.
Close-up
And here is the other possible Roo, Licorice - this is either an Austrolorp or Iowa Blue...this is at 2 months old.
here s/he is 'strutting' a bit.
This is Stormy, a one year old hen..not sure what she is. Very sweet and eats right out of my hand. Anyone know what breed?
Sugar, another one year old mystery hen.
This is Brownie - she is SOOO sweet and HUGE! super hairy legs What kind of hen is she?
This is Cinnamon - we think she is the Americana/Amercauna/Easter Egger - someone is laying blue and green eggs!
Cinnamon taking a dust bath
And finally, our pretty Coco - super skittish and hard to catch!
Thank you all!! We are so loving our chickens and would love your help!
The feed store says birds don't crow until 4-5 months of age, which would indicate the silkies, and one IS darker and has more wattle and comb than the other. However, the australorp 2 month old is looking a bit roostery to me - he struts around, and tries to jump on the other hens, makes sounds that are not chirpie anymore and sounds like a crow beginning (but not like the one I had yesterday). I don't have another austrolorp to compare him/her to. Help!! So, whoever has time and expertise, I would LOVE help identifying if one of those looks a bit roostery and identifying the breeds of the big girls....thank you!!
Honey, the 4.5 month old Silkie - much more pronounced waddle and comb than the other silkie...
Fuzzy (on the right) wouldn't hold still, but you can see she is much lighter, and there is NO waddle. She does have the tiny beginning of a comb.
Close-up
And here is the other possible Roo, Licorice - this is either an Austrolorp or Iowa Blue...this is at 2 months old.
here s/he is 'strutting' a bit.
This is Stormy, a one year old hen..not sure what she is. Very sweet and eats right out of my hand. Anyone know what breed?
Sugar, another one year old mystery hen.
This is Brownie - she is SOOO sweet and HUGE! super hairy legs
What kind of hen is she?This is Cinnamon - we think she is the Americana/Amercauna/Easter Egger - someone is laying blue and green eggs!
Cinnamon taking a dust bath
And finally, our pretty Coco - super skittish and hard to catch!
Thank you all!! We are so loving our chickens and would love your help!
