Our introduction to keeping chickens, the high's, the lows and pics of our journey.

[Bens-Hens]

The patch was enough hahahaha, 5km on a peg leg...owch!

We are thinking that the other fav may be a girl too, I know I should not say that out loud but it has a very small comb (smaller than the white one) and even though there is dark colour in the feathers, there is no solid black or barring. I probably just put the roo-finger on it by saying that though!

Also, forgot to mention earlier, this afternoon I saw Luna (BA pullet) mount one of the SPW, also a pullet. SHe seems to be stepping up as flock leader since we don't have any roo's in the main flock. Caught me by surprise seeing that.

 

[Wrightsx4]

Okay so now we need some close-up wing pics of the fav in question!

 

[Fancychooklady]

Oh Ben you must keep Alecia and the boys entertained. What a scallywag ! You have lovely looking boys, I love to see the joy that chicks bring to little faces. I take a box full of chicks to the local kindergarten for a lesson on chickens. The kids love it, their faces light up and you can see their little fingers itching to touch. On the coro front , fingers crossed 1 roo 4 pullets. My daughter took a liking to the captain of the equestrian team at one of the private schools over there. He has invited her over to ride one of his horses later on in the season. If we relent and let her go, there may still be a chance of getting eggs to you safely.

 

[NovaAman]

I have a 6 month fav boy that has a very small comb yet. He doesn't even crow yet. They are SLOW at maturing. Heck, Florus was nearly 8 months old before he crowed. Yup. He's only just Gerri g his duck wing color in on his wings.

Thanks guys about the Jerk... Now poor Little Pretty is lonely... Lol

 

[Bens-Hens]

I am confident we have one Fav girl, and she is very sweet, easily the family favourite. The other is sort of splash coloured, not really a solid dark colour as I have seen in the other chick sexing pics. Maybe I am just in denial!!!!
Chick 1

Chick1

Chick 2

Chick 2


I thought I had got better photo's, I might try get one later with the wing spread on chick 1, maybe it's just wishful thinking!

Also, for CB's expertise, here are some similar shots of the two blues, the darker one likes to pretty much eat as much as possible, the lighter one likes to chest bump and charge one of the wellies and BA crosses.
BA1

BA2

Combs are approximately the same, feathering is about the same too.

They all spent their first night out last night, was REALLY windy here last night so kind of rough for them, but they found the heat and huddled up with no issues in the morning.

Also the other day I noticed a female Marans had some poo stuck to her toe, didn't think anything of it, but today I saw it again and thought "another one?" but turns out it was the same one, it had hardened into a clump and been there for a few days at least. Gentle soaking to soften it and working of the clump got it free to reveal a toe that looked like it had not aged at all! No big deal I am sure it will catch up but a lesson learned there, a chicken poo cast can cause an issue if it's left for too long!

 

[CB and CG]

Hi Ben. Fav 1 is a definite boy and Fav 2 is a girl.

In the Australorp department they are both looking very boyish to me unfortunately. If possible can you get a picture of their comb straight on (Beak facing the camera lens with a close up on the front of the comb to show width.) I find this method quite accurate as height of comb can vary in girls but width never lies.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I will wait for some more comb pics before I make my decision though.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Hahaha, I already knew deep down inside, just holding onto some hope that's we don't have a total boy-fest.

In the same order as above,
BA1 (Dark)

BA2 (Light)


Do you have comparison pics of the comb width? I can see me having to find a blue pullet about the same age as these guys to slide into our flock. All this hatch I wanted one blue girl and I score two boys lol

 

[CB and CG]

Sorry but I am nearly 100% sure they are both cockerels. I don't have any comparison pics I am afraid. A pullets comb will have about half the width though. If you post pics of your blacks I can take a guess and you could use them as a comparison maybe?

 

[babyfoot]

Quote: beautiful with a capital B

 

[Bens-Hens]

I just knew you would say that! I did ask for it hahaha Thanks for your help.

I am about to head out for the afternoon, the blacks will have to wait, but keen to hear your thoughts on those.

Looks like we are heading back to blue shopping!