Hopeful Hatch Grow-along

[tviss711]

I loved my Anconas! I showed them in high school and a little into college. They were flighty, my rooster never really got used to me, but so friendly!
Some of my favorite pictures of my hen...
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Aww!!! I LOVE the floppy comb— so cute!!!

 

[horselover1999]

Aww!!! I LOVE the floppy comb— so cute!!!

The floppy comb in a female is only acceptable in the mediterranean breeds. They lay a pretty white egg that will add more variety to your basket. I worked with Leghorns in college, they have the same temperament as the Anconas. I would be picking up eggs from their pen and find a pullet on my back!

 

[tviss711]

We are getting bigger every day over here! The suspected cockerels (due to sex linked plumage) are definitely cockerels. Their combs are already turning pink! I was prepared for that. I’ll keep one of them for sure.


What I was a little sad about, is that of my BOxSpeckled Sussex crosses, I think one of them is a cockerel. I know they are young, but one of their combs is definitely larger and the wattles are visible and turning pink. I wish we had a big enough flock for me to keep them all but we simply can’t have 40 hens to justify keeping 4 roosters that will all be quite large when fully grown.

Here are the pictures, what do you guys think? Is there hope yet or do you think my suspicions are right?

Suspected cockerel “Chili”

And compared to sister “Cayenne” (they were both babies of my hen Pepper)

If my suspicions are correct, that would make 4 out of 6 chicks cockerels. It is especially hard knowing Hunnicutt was a girl, she had the same plumage as Mabel.

 

[AmericanDwarfChicken]

one of the 4 chicks that hatched from my incubator

 

[tviss711]

View attachment 4060802one of the 4 chicks that hatched from my incubator

CONGRATS!!! Adorable!!!

 

[tviss711]

Here’s a more formal update! Almost a month old.
Here is “Cayenne” BOxSS

And sister (brother??? That comb is suspicious) Chili

Mabel BOx SLW

Winchester (he is the largest with most distinct patterning) and he sure knows how to strike a pose!

Colonel Potter (angel boy!!!) he is very white with some black markings on wing feathers and tail feathers

Trapper is the most white, with really just black on his tail feathers. He’s feathering out a touch slower than the others but not by much. It is so interesting to see how different they are! And even with the Wyandotte crosses, the males legs seem to be tan/beige, while my female is more of a grayish orange. Fascinating!

I think I have 4 cockerels which is a little sad. But if I can’t find good homes for 3 of them, I might just have a separate bachelor flock down by our creek!

 

[Cheekychook12]

Here’s a more formal update! Almost a month old.
Here is “Cayenne” BOxSS
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And sister (brother??? That comb is suspicious) Chili
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Mabel BOx SLW
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Winchester (he is the largest with most distinct patterning) and he sure knows how to strike a pose!
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Colonel Potter (angel boy!!!) he is very white with some black markings on wing feathers and tail feathers
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Trapper is the most white, with really just black on his tail feathers. He’s feathering out a touch slower than the others but not by much. It is so interesting to see how different they are! And even with the Wyandotte crosses, the males legs seem to be tan/beige, while my female is more of a grayish orange. Fascinating!
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I think I have 4 cockerels which is a little sad. But if I can’t find good homes for 3 of them, I might just have a separate bachelor flock down by our creek!

Chili is a boy I’m afraid.. at least you did get two girls though
If they are good boys and you have the resources I’d keep them all in a bachelor pen