'Perfect Bantam' Breeding Project!

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Yesterday, I was putting Popcorn back with the other bantams (she was with Cheeto in a separate pen) and it was already dark out. Popcorn started puffing herself up and pecking Olive (second in command hen) lightly on the head. Olive pecked her back, and they fell off the roost and were pecking each other, so I separated them. But, before I could, Popcorn put her head back and crowed! It was short and not as loud as the roosters, but it was definitely was crowing!
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It's weird that on December 29th, after I added Popcorn back to the flock (she'd been temporarily separated with Cheeto), it was Olive's turn to crow! She did it several times, and did it the next day too. I think it was partly because she was the top hen (before Popcorn was added back to the flock) and she was trying to establish dominance over her (it didn't work), as well as the fact that there weren't any roosters in the flock. She was also molting.

 

[Karenin]

Update?

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Update?

I appreciate your interest, but unfortunately this project has been put on hold.

This project is being put on hold until my current chickens die of old age or Marek's and I'm sure any new chickens I get won't get re-infected.

However, I will post an update on my hens. They’re doing great, and I have lots of pictures of them.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Popcorn

Most recent (she’s always being photo-bombed by Bandit )

Bandit

Most recent

Penguin

Most recent (aka the most awkward pose ever)

The flock

And, as a bonus, the-ever-impossible-to-get-a-picture-of- Olive

I’ve been teaching Popcorn and Bandit to do a trick, one which they haven’t mastered yet, but they still do it really well. Popcorn’s skills are the greatest. Penguin has taught herself a different skill- that if she flies onto my arm while I’m near the chicken food bins, she’ll get some extra food.

 

[Karenin]

I appreciate your interest, but unfortunately this project has been put on hold.



However, I will post an update on my hens. They’re doing great, and I have lots of pictures of them.

Sorry. I didn’t realize that the project was on hold. I hope your birds feel better soon.

 

[Karenin]

Popcorn
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Most recent (she’s always being photo-bombed by Bandit )
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Bandit
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Most recent
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Penguin
View attachment 2428900View attachment 2428901View attachment 2428902
Most recent (aka the most awkward pose ever)
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The flock
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And, as a bonus, the-ever-impossible-to-get-a-picture-of- Olive
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I’ve been teaching Popcorn and Bandit to do a trick, one which they haven’t mastered yet, but they still do it really well. Popcorn’s skills are the greatest. Penguin has taught herself a different skill- that if she flies onto my arm while I’m near the chicken food bins, she’ll get some extra food.

They are adorable!!! Penguin must really like food

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Penguin (she’s 2 years old now!)

Popcorn

Bandit

Olive (bonus)

 

[9SpiceyChickens]

All so pretty! Are you still working on this project?

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

All so pretty! Are you still working on this project?

Not right now. This post explains it- https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/perfect-bantam-breeding-project.1259418/post-22054991. I don’t want to get more chickens and potentially have them die from Marek’s.

I do plan to start this project again one day, hopefully when I have more room so I can try out a lot more mixes.


Also, I forgot to mention in my last post, one of my hens has been crowing every morning! No idea who it is yet. Olive and Popcorn have crowed at a few specific times in the past, but I’m thinking it may be Bandit this time.

 

[FatChicksDigMe]

I just followed your whole thread and was so happy at the beginning and now so sad at the end! I wish you could've gotten chicks from Cheeto and Mico (sorry for your loss on all of them). Hopefully you can pick back up in the near future!