Chicks – Week Three

Another week flew by, and the chicks are getting so big! Almost all of them are covered in feathers (except their heads and underside), and a few are really sticking out as boys.

There is Paul – named by my best friend Leelynn. I am almost certain Paul is a he. There are feathers on his wings that are already reddening. His comb is more advanced, he has a tough guy/I’m not afraid of anything attitude.

He is now the first to explore new foods – Hoover was always #1, but now Paul is more ballsy than him. He is the best flier as well. He was the one that was dropped at 2 days old by Olivia. I thought for sure he was a goner, but he pulled through with flying colours.

There is the other chipmunk coloured EE, I am really not sure on the gender of this one. Could go either way right now. Still remains unnamed.

There is Willow – I am pretty sure Willow is a girl. Comb is small and light. She is very shy.. Will NOT eat out of my hand and is standoffish. I’m hoping this will improve.

There is that white frizzle mix. Still no name. I thought it was a boy for sure, but that comb is so small.. I want to think more positively He/She is now a little over four weeks.

Hoover – Again.. I don’t know for sure if it is a girl or boy. If going by attitude alone, I would say girl. If going by looks.. I wouldn’t know… I thought Hoover was a boy from the get-go, but now I am not so sure.

Here’s Hoover again. <3

Bonnie could be a boy, but it’s hard to tell. Her comb is small, and the lighting during the picture makes it look pinker than it actually is. Bonnie’s attitude is the most feminine, and she has delicate little features. If she is a HE, he would be a very feminine rooster.

Here are Janet’s three babies. I still think only one is a boy. I’ve named my favourite Skittles. The rest are still unnamed.

I didn’t take any pictures of Eedie or her look-alike since last week. I will take some tonight I think Eedie might be a boy, and her look-alike is a girl… Time will tell.

Eggs Died… One is left.

Janet pushed three eggs that had died before pipping on Saturday.. One lone egg is left, and it is day 23. I am giving up hope. Now it’s just waiting to see if the last one is gone too. I really wish I hadn’t of washed them when they were soiled.

At least we have chicks to give her.. She has taken to motherhood without hesitation. Janet is such a great first-time mom.

The chicks are growing and feathering in nicely. There are shavings EVERYWHERE. We have to vacuum on a daily basis around the playpen. They all are having a blast digging and dust bathing in the shavings. They are becoming little versions of their future selves.

We still have not named many.. Hoover, Bonnie and Eedie. I think we will name one Skittles, and one Murtle. I am just waiting to determine sexes before we make any hasty decisions. Knowing us, we don’t change the names after they are in place. Ruth stayed Ruth despite being a boy.. I don’t want to name one Murtle and have it turn out to be a roo How embarrassed would he be?

I have my theories on these three. I think two are girls (left and middle) and the one on the right is a male. Let’s see if I’m right!

Feel free to give your two cents. I have not raised chicks before, but I have read a lot of sexing tips. Apparently boys feather in slower. That is one reason I think the one on the right is a boy. I also have read that boys have thicker legs (he does). He also just has masculine eyes in my opinion.

He also feels heavier than the other two.

As for the Easter Eggers.. I really don’t know..

There’s this one..

He/She could be either..

Still thinking that the frizzle mix #1 is a boy. He is very bossy.

This is Hoover.. Thinking Hoover may be a boy as well.

This is the slowest feathering EE chick. Could it be an roo?

**Darn them and messing up their food! I clear it out 3 times a day from shavings *Rolls eyes**

Eedie or her look alike <3

Bonnie – If feathering in girls is faster, she is definitely a girl. Her brothers born the same day have much less feathering than she does.

The three Frizzle crosses.

This week is supposed to be beautiful outside. I hope to take them out to explore if Janet is ready.

Almost There!

Today is day 19 on Janet’s brooding. We lost the silkie egg – Just stopped devleoping somewhere between day 11 and 16. The other four are doing wonderful, and are kicking and filling up the egg nicely. Janet is so ready to be a mom.

We now have two of Janet’s eggs (Jagger is the daddy), one of Olive’s eggs (Jagger is the daddy) and one of Marge’s eggs (again, Jagger is the daddy) going into broody lock-down.

Here is the development on day 16. They would kick when you tapped on the egg. It was heart-warming <3