sebright thread

[chicknfun]

I got my first Sebrights last week at livestock auction. I have no way of knowing their ages, but they both (m/f) appear very energetic and vibrant. They are both extremely shy still, but neither appears aggressive, I hope this remains, at least the aggression part.

I have on golden sebright roo just over a year old, and he is the very same shows zero agression, but very skittish, I love that chicken!! again-

 

[TW1Kell]

When I bought my pair of Goldens and a silver hen, they were very skittish for about 2 weeks. After that, the Roo started attacking my Dad when he would change water and feed in their tractor while I was out-of-state. Then he started doing it to me. That went on for a few weeks, but now, he half-heartedly attacks my hand, then will sit on my wrist and let me rub his chest. I think it was just a case of wanting to show us that those were HIS hens, and we should leave them alone. Now that he has SHOWN us who's boss, he has calmed, considerably. That is one cool lil chicken. I really like his personality. ALL chickens have some sort of trait that will make them stand out, in their own little way, but 'Brights (and most Bantams especially) have special characteristics that endear them to us.

Then I think of my Australorp/Amie cross who was horribly hurt by an animal and nursed to health for months, by me...she peeps anytime a Roo comes near and runs for me. She knows that I won't let them hurt her. She hops along and has a very diminished left leg. I still don't see how she survived that wounding. I've seen Soldiers give up who had been hurt a lot less than she was. She just keeps on with her happy lil life and lays her eggs and hangs around me for protection from the Roos.

 

[TW1Kell]

What do you mean by "estrogen-vs-testosterone competition"? There is really no competition. The testosterone their testes produce is converted to estrogen in their skin, which then produces the henny feathering.

I think the problem lies in my wording: it did discuss the aromatase that converts the testosterone to estrogen and "competition" is my faulty paraphrasing from the report. It stated something along the line of the bird not being able to convert during the first year due to lower levels of aromatase, and showing sex feathers in it's first feathering. After reaching full adulthood, they would then revert to henny feathering after their first adult molting as they were then converting testosterone to estrogen due to the increase in aromatase in skin and ovary cells only, and would stay henny feathered for the remainder of their lives. Is that not about what you were saying, as well, in reference to the conversion in the skin? I think the problem is simply my poor choice of words re the "competition" remark.

 

[Helen in the Desert]

Can anyone sex these 2 week olds and if not about what age can they be sexed?

Thanks!

maybe girl on top and boy on the bottom, but post again in a week...

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote: Ahhh, yes that does make more sense.

 

[Jungleexplorer]

Not a single egg after two months. Two months ago I bought 7 silver hens and since then I have had them on high protein feed and vitamin water. They have not laid a single egg. They are all of laying age. I put a light on them two weeks ago, but that has not helped either. What is the deal?

 

[OhikiPL]

 

[Silseb]

Are the lights on timer? 10-16 hrs of light, increasing in length each week. Can they get outside for sunlight also?

 

[Jungleexplorer]

I have had the light on 24/7. They cannot go outside, but they are in a building that is fully light by the sun during the daytime.

 

[NYREDS]

I have had the light on 24/7. They cannot go outside, but they are in a building that is fully light by the sun during the daytime.

They like to sleep once in awhile too you know. Give them time for a normal sleep cycle & they may perform better. That said, Sebrights generally aren't great layers & if they're older hens they may not produce much at all.