Well, the chickies are three weeks old and growing like weeds :) As you might have read previously, we were surprised to find out we have Partridge Cochin chicks and not Partridge Rocks - which I quickly accepted though (I'm a long time planner and when a monkey wrench gets tossed in I begin to panic ~ luckily this was an easy to deal with change).
Watching the babies grow is always exciting and, sometimes a little scary. Like, how they sleep: I've raised enough chicks to know that those little feathery friends sleep in all different sorts of positions. For example, when they are laying on their sides with neck and legs all stretched out, your heart stops for a brief moment wondering if they'd died! NO. They're just getting comfortable - like anyone. Still a strange sight - you really imagine they'd be sleeping all curled up in a ball. Funny!
Here's the latest surprise to this batch.....
we may have one, or possible three, males out of the five! This has caused a greater sense of concern. Of course I will keep them and love them anyway but now I'm preparing for "what might be". One rooster could be ok, but three might be hard to handle - I might have to make separate living areas. It'll be ok - if it's true, we'll work it out. More plans to make!
I know the hatchery separates the males from the females but on rare occasion there could be a mistake. Of course we truly won't know for a while yet. What I noticed last week was one of the chicks is, at least, half a size LARGER than the others - it looks like a giant! Also, the wing feathers of the three male suspects are just one set and blunt, while the female suspects have two sets blunt and pointed. Also, the "males'" tail feathers are coming in horizontal and the "females'" are vertical. There are other difference between the two sets as well. Still crossing my fingers they are all pullets! LOL!! Stay tuned.... ;) P.S. Here's their album: Partridge Cochin (Standard) 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment