What breed is she? Dropped off hen and chicks!

[vegaschick]

While I was out of state last month, someone from church called and said they'd found a hen with chicks in their front yard. They'd had them about a week and had heard we kept chickens so maybe we wanted them? My sister made a place for them and they brought them by...a hen and 3 chicks, each chick a different color. The hen is quite different from those that I have owned before and I would like to have an idea of what breed she is. I think she may be some type of game bird? I so don't know. Please help. Thanks.

 

[vegaschick]

Anyone?

 

[DTchickens]

Looks like she is at least partially gamefowl.

-Daniel

 

[Mahonri]

Am game mix.

 

[Chickanmanfromarkansas]

Modern American Game

 

[vegaschick]

That's pretty much what I thought. She's a pretty good sized girl, not a banty, I think, and a very good momma. They know to look for treats when I come by, anything from fruit to tomato worms, and she allows the chicks to get within inches of me now. I am a bit worried about down the road. I've had her for about 3 wks now and the chicks looked to be about 2 wks when I got her. How long should they stay with her and when will I know when she/they are ready to be parted? It's my first time with a momma hen. I'm also worried about incorporating her into my flock. I may try to find her owners on CL. I think I've seen ads on there regarding gamebirds for the area where I think they came from. What would you do?


Well, thanks to all those who so graciously answered my question about breed. You're awesome!

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Vegaschick - at first I thought maybe OEG cross but you say she is a bit larger than a banty - I really do not know - her legs look so tiny!


As for the broody part, I let my hens decide when they are done with the chicks. She will start distancing herself during the day and at night may stop letting them try to snuggle with her. I do have a SL cochin - large fowl - who never broke her chicks from hanging with her last year (October clutch) and all three (mom and two girls) snuggle together at night - all are laying but still love their mom.


Because I cannot refuse a broody

I would add her to my flock. Quarantine for 30 day with the chicks, then if I was still nervous about her being a carrier - of some chicken disease, I would put a "disposable" (gosh that is a horrible word) chicken in with her for another 30 to 48 days. (Disposable - a chicken who if dies will not break your heart like if the whole flock got sick and died)

 

[sourland]

If you plan on raising more chicks, keep her. She's a proven good broody as befits her game heritage.

 

[vegaschick]

Awesome! I think I'll keep her. I could really use a broody.

 

[gryeyes]

*I* would keep her.

I keep reading about all these BYC folks who get stray chickens dropped on them, or that show up in their yard, or they find dumped somewhere and they rescue 'em... why doesn't that happen to ME???

She's a cutie, too.