Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[dheltzel]

This is how Brownie looks today. I just recognized that is not stripes on her wrings, it's different layers of feathers. The ends of her feathers has lighter color. She definitely looks like a girl.

Dolly is the one looks suspicious. She has large legs and light barring. But she doesn't act like a boy and had perfect chipmunk patterns.

This is what the wings look like of a male black sexlink. The flash washed it out a little, but you can see the significant amount of white on the tips of the feathers.

 

[AnRamire]

Here is a slightly (better in color but still grainy) pic. I don't have the best phone camera, sorry

. I noticed today some of these chicks are starting to get wispy feathers on their wings. Is this indicative of gender?....Still Crossing my fingers and hoping for more hens then roos

Also noted one of them is quite aggressive, keeps pecking at the others. I know I'm new to chickens, but does the pecking order start so soon? Ps can anyone tell me what colors these chicks will be when the grow up? I assumed the 2 lightest are white. Two appear buff in color. the other two have a faint stripe down the back...Not sure what color those are going to be.

 

[TillyPeeps]

This is what the wings look like of a male black sexlink. The flash washed it out a little, but you can see the significant amount of white on the tips of the feathers.

Thank you.

And I see Dolly has lots of tail feathers comparing to this boy.

 

[TillyPeeps]

Quote:

Here is a slightly (better in color but still grainy) pic. I don't have the best phone camera, sorry

. I noticed today some of these chicks are starting to get wispy feathers on their wings. Is this indicative of gender....Still Crossing my fingers and hoping for more hens then roos

Silkies are very difficult to sex. I don't think you can feather sex them, but I'm no expert at all.

 

[chiques chicks]

One of the girls at tsc is trying to get me to adopt the weak chicks. Maybe a special hospital brooder is in my not to distant future.

 

[PeepersMomma]

Question....I have 3 cochin bantam hens, they are approximately 7 months old. When will they start to lay eggs? Also, why do some hens never lay eggs?

Thanks.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Thank  you! I feel relieved now. I never really worried about Brownie, but Dolly's large legs make her look so different from the other girls.

Brownie does have a interesting, beautiful looking and is not solid brown. I cannot wait to see how she will look like as an adult. Maybe you can put Brownie's father back to the breeding pen to help your main roo?

I have a hen, Maple, who has the fastest legs I've ever seen on a hen (not counting broilers). She was always "cocky" as a baby, thick legs, big boned, and bossy. She's the best and sweetest girl I've got. She may be a pudgy, stocky girl but a girl no less. Maybe your Dolly will be the same way

One of the girls at tsc is trying to get me to adopt the weak chicks. Maybe a special hospital brooder is in my not to distant future.

I offered to take the sick and weak chicks from our tractor supply last year and they refused. They said you must buy 6 and if you want the sick ones, we can throw them in at a discounted price. I was so angry that I didn't go in there again for a while. They were just going to kill them :/

 

[OneMountainAcres]

I opened up the dog crate with my newbies in the coop today. No fights or issues. They still haven't really come out of it at all but I saw a few of my hens go in and steal some of their food. A couple days like that and I'll remove the crate entirely. Once I open it, I put a baby gate across the big open side door so they can still see our and get air flow but can't get out.

 

[chiques chicks]

@Auroradream26 I'm kind of, uh, well known at the local TSC? Greeted by name by at least half of them, told just go out back and get it, we're busy, there's more feed in the back room grab a bag... I'd be working there if I could, they've asked. My schedule doesn't permit it.

 

[chxmama]

I opened up the dog crate with my newbies in the coop today. No fights or issues. They still haven't really come out of it at all but I saw a few of my hens go in and steal some of their food. A couple days like that and I'll remove the crate entirely. Once I open it, I put a baby gate across the big open side door so they can still see our and get air flow but can't get out.

So the chicks can come out and the hens can go in? Do you leave it open like that all day long? Close it again at night? Do your hens free range or are they fairly close to the chick area all throughout the day?