Sumatra babies - 1 day old to current - come along and watch me grow!

[JellybeanJean]

Oh I'm definitely tagging along if you don't mind! I love Sumatra!

Thank you. They are my first Sumatra. And they are so fascinating I just couldn't keep them all to myself

 

[JellybeanJean]

11 weeks old:

Boy do they grow fast! They are taking shape now and their feather definition is really coming in. Thunder is such a handsome and mellow cockerel. He lets me pet him and all three come running to see me when I visit them with a handful of food. Thunder even came and sat on my hand without me picking him up.

 

[JellybeanJean]

He will be a proud looking male for sure!

 

[JellybeanJean]

Week 13:

I know people feel it's some what controversial, but I put a no crow collar on Thunder. I am allowed to have roosters where I live, but also want to keep the peace with my neighbors. He is still a bit upset at me about it, but he seemed to be eating, drinking, and getting along fine with it on.

It's interesting to see his trail feathers coming in completed to the girls. All three of them you can see some definition in their small combs.

Still gorgeous and majestic!

 

[JellybeanJean]

Beedee dep beedee dep beedee dep.... Breaking news!!!

A little Johnny Cash anyone?

Peggy Sue is a boy!!! ....Saddle feathers!

I will need to re-home one of the boys - or - all three just to keep them together. If anyone is interested please contact me: [email protected]

Oakdale, MN

 

[TwoCrows]

They will be 4 weeks old on Monday. It will be so much fun to learn more about them as they grow.

Do you have Sumatras?

Here is a few fun pictures I caught of the first time I saw clover fly up to the high bar about 2 1/2 weeks old. Also one of clover stretching to show how big her wings are getting.

Aww....adorable! No I have never kept them but they are definitely on my "have to have" list! I will definitely be following along here to live vicariously through you.

 

[TwoCrows]

From what I've read they are quiet flighty and nervous birds. More like a pheasant. But i think bonding with them when they were first born has really helped. They come running over to greet me every time I go to their cage. They love to cuddle by my face and pull at my hair like it's a toy.

Definitely handle them a lot and daily, carry them around and to new places. They can be reconditioned to be less nervous. Sounds like they are pretty tame already!

 

[TwoCrows]

5 weeks old. Moved out to 5x7 tent in breezeway with their sweeter heater. Doing well. Outside temps have been between 30-50° at night. I have the sweeter heater hanging with a thermometer on the floor reading 70-75°.

Black Sumatra:
Thunder (red leg band 9/16")
Clover (blue leg band 9/16")
Rachel (no leg band)

Blue Sumatra:
Peggy Sue (no leg band)

Thank you. Enjoy.

They are growing so fast!!!! Adorable!

 

[JellybeanJean]

8 1/2 weeks. Sad news today, there was a coyote attack and Rachel (aka little Ricardo) was seriously injured. I had to make the hard decision to not let him suffer, he was humanly sent to chicken heaven to be with Elvis Peckley. Thunder, Clover and Peggy Sue where in a state of shock after the incident. We moved them into a safer location to get them settled down. Any typical day they would fuss if they get held, but they were so in shock that I just held all three in my lap for ten minutes. I wanted them to know they were safe and I was safe. They hung out in their cage with the big girls for the day. They seemed relaxed after I came home from work. The big girls went out to play and the Sumatra chicks got to run around the 200 sqft run. The took a well deserved spa break in the dirt and ran about in a happy demeanor. Phew, chicken keeping can sure be an emotional rollercoaster. I'm relieved they seemed to bounce back after such trauma. Resilient chicks!!

 

[TwoCrows]

10 weeks old. The rest of the Freedom Rangers went to freezer camp this weekend. We got the chicken tractor pressure washed and ready for the Sumatras to move in. They will be in there until I finish their coop up in my garden.

They are truly a gorgeous breed. I have been continuing to, twice a day, hand feed them. Clover and Peggy Sue really like to come stand or sit on my hands. I have been holding them more, even Thunder. I find that went I set them back down, if you apply a little pressure to their back, it will make them submit. I feel this had helped show them that I am the "Mama rooster". After they are in this position they let me softy pet them. I feel this has really helped build our trust together. For such a nervous breed they really have responded to these techniques.

Appearance: their legs and toes (on the top side) are now all black. The pad of the foot is the only yellow remaining now. This last week was the first I've noticed (all be it very subtle) some growth in the comb. The iridescent feathers on the black Sumatras are a gorgeous green, blue, and purple.

Beautiful birds, aren't they?! I think you are doing good by holding and hand feeding them. They can be a bit wild. Thanks for sharing photos, I just love this breed!