Texas

[Cockle-Dood]

Starting to get some comb development on my BA's!!! They were straight run, along with my EE's so im super excited about that!! Finally all these hours of studying other peoples chicks i can apply it to mine!!!

All have had 'pulletish' features until this point, and i am actually hoping for a roo outta this trio! Combs are an exciting step for me...and from what ive seen so far 1 is just a bit more there! Will be watching this guy pretty close over the next few days, and also what im hoping are 2 pullets!

 

[Kilsharion]

Starting to get some comb development on my BA's!!! They were straight run, along with my EE's so im super excited about that!! Finally all these hours of studying other peoples chicks i can apply it to mine!!!

All have had 'pulletish' features until this point, and i am actually hoping for a roo outta this trio! Combs are an exciting step for me...and from what ive seen so far 1 is just a bit more there! Will be watching this guy pretty close over the next few days, and also what im hoping are 2 pullets!

The thing I noticed with Dinner is that his tail was WAY slower to develop than the girls' tails. Wasn't just that he sprouted a comb and distinct waddles first - but, also the tail. Dunno if that's breed typical or not; but...there yah go.

 

[Kilsharion]

selenium deficiency?... weak legs are one of the symptoms

Selenium is a trace mineral you can get in kelp, btw - and in trace mineral drops that the pharmacy can have on hand. There are several things with Selenium in them, actually - but, those two carry quite a bit of it.

 

[Cockle-Dood]

Btw-- i rehomed my dane today that i have been fostering for the past 4 months! Went to a young family that seemed absolutely perfect for him! A stay at home mom and daughter and a husband who works long crazy hours on the oil fields. The wife wanted a big dig that would lay with her in bed to take up his spot while he is away, and used to run marathons before their child but still jogs!

If thats not heaven for my arnold, i dont know what is! He was just not cut out for farm life, and my little pity mix (unaltered) just would not get along with him for anything though i cant say i didnt try! Im glad he us finally in his zone!

 

[TattooedKeeper3]

My RIR rooster does NOT like me!

I have had a few RIR roosters. They all ended up on the dinner table because they were mean. Also they would delibrately chase some of the hens and other roosters and hurt them. I didn't like that. I raised them from day old chicks with just as much love as all the others.

With a few exceptions that breed in particular out of all the other roosters I had were just mean. I don't want anymore RIR roosters. I have one RIR hen and as she has gotten older (1 year now) she gets rather bossy and pecky. She is number two in the pecking order of the 4 hens. My Barred Rock hen is number one and just as sweet as can be. I like it when you are bending down and she hops up on your shoulder or back. She'll stay there, get settled down, and go to sleep.

 

[Imprfctme]

Btw-- i rehomed my dane today that i have been fostering for the past 4 months! Went to a young family that seemed absolutely perfect for him! A stay at home mom and daughter and a husband who works long crazy hours on the oil fields. The wife wanted a big dig that would lay with her in bed to take up his spot while he is away, and used to run marathons before their child but still jogs!

If thats not heaven for my arnold, i dont know what is! He was just not cut out for farm life, and my little pity mix (unaltered) just would not get along with him for anything though i cant say i didnt try! Im glad he us finally in his zone!

Aw, good for you! Fostering can be so rewarding, especially when you have a happy ending like that.

 

[Imprfctme]

I have had a few RIR roosters. They all ended up on the dinner table because they were mean. Also they would delibrately chase some of the hens and other roosters and hurt them. I didn't like that. I raised them from day old chicks with just as much love as all the others.

With a few exceptions that breed in particular out of all the other roosters I had were just mean. I don't want anymore RIR roosters. I have one RIR hen and as she has gotten older (1 year now) she gets rather bossy and pecky. She is number two in the pecking order of the 4 hens. My Barred Rock hen is number one and just as sweet as can be. I like it when you are bending down and she hops up on your shoulder or back. She'll stay there, get settled down, and go to sleep.

I do not love RIR in general. The few all RIR flocks I've seen had lots of birds missing feathers because they constantly fight for top spot. I have heard good things about BR being good flock leaders, and I can't say enough good things about my Delaware. Both of those breeds are dual purpose, and I think you'll find the dispositions better with those.

 

[Kilsharion]

I absolutely adore one of our BRs. Her name is Mo.

This is Mo:


All the others could go and I'd feel a little sad if they were taken out by predators...but, Mo's my buddy. Her barring is muddy and her form's all off, and she'd never get much of any love at a show - but, she's the most inquisitive, most adorable, funniest chicken. Her sisters, Eeney and Meeney are dark barreds, Mo is light barred. In the US that makes no difference - but, you can tell just by a glance which one's Mo - she's the lighter of the three. Each one of the BRs would be considered more enjoyable than any of the others we have. Though, the BAs are growing up to have a little personality. The EEs are just - we call them our dumb blondes. And the SLW mutts - I just can't figure them out...The hatcheries should be shot when they get such a chaotic mix as this and still try to sell it as the breed.

But - so far - as chicks in the brooder go....the Dorkings win hands down, closely followed by the BRs. I'm hoping that continues into their adulthood as well. I actually like my BRs so much, I've considered seeing if I couldn't find a roo to bring around...but - no....one breed at a time for focus...right...yeh...I have a hard time doing one thing at a time

 

[Cockle-Dood]

In my brooder its about the opposite! My BA's are the first ones checking my hands, especially my big one i call elvis due to his facial markings similar to some mutton chops. But my BR's are right behind them....the EE's and my 1 silkie couldnt really care less about me, lol!

@Little Wing---you hear that contracts ate in the talks with ed reed!!!! Theres our secondary!!

 

[Kilsharion]

In my brooder its about the opposite! My BA's are the first ones checking my hands, especially my big one i call elvis due to his facial markings similar to some mutton chops. But my BR's are right behind them....the EE's and my 1 silkie couldnt really care less about me, lol!

@Little Wing---you hear that contracts ate in the talks with ed reed!!!! Theres our secondary!!

How funny - because my BAs got their names based on their brooder behaviour....flighty and annoying.

Oh - hey - I posted some pictures, last night, on the Chicken n Dumplins recipe. Can you bring up that page and tell me if the slideshow loads ok? I'm on LoS service, so I can't really tell how it would be for "normal" people.