Look at me I'm a mum!

[Newtothis]

Hi

The adoption went well and Myfanwy is now happily being a mother hen to 3 adop[ted chicks.


The first pic was on day 2 and she has just pushed the egg shells out of the nest - we are happy that she didn't see through our deception! (they were from an omlet that we had the day before)
She is now busy every day teaching the chicks to forage, scratch the ground, feed and calls them when she thinks there is a threat.
Endlessly fascinating and really cute!!!
Chicks are cream legbar, lavendar aracuna, and exchequer legorn.

Thanks for all the help! I couldn't have done it without all the advice.

David

[rustylady]

I want some

[Florence Fennel]

I don't come in here very often, but when I do, it's always a treat. Well done David!

[RichmondHens]

They look very happy. Good old Myfanwy. Could you post a clearer pic of the cream legbar please (don't want to rain on your parade but that might be a boy). Obviously the others can't be sexed until they are a little older.

[Newtothis]

Hmmmm - possibly three boys then? Oops!
I'll try and get a clearer picture for you.

[RichmondHens]

Cream legbars are sexable at day old (as soon as the fluff has dried and sometimes I can tell even when they are still wet) so if you have a boy the breeder would/should have known he was selling you one so if you wanted you could make a fuss and ask to exchange it for a girl although Myfanwy wouldn't accept it now. The reason why I think it's a boy is that the down on the sides is very blonde, and the wing tips look like they are growing pale feathers. Girls are much darker and the wing feathers come through brown from the start.

[petal]

Can you eat the boys then? or do you dispatch RH? some males are just not worth growing on- i have been narrowing my eyes at our 7 week olds today and choosing keepers out of the males and non keepers.. felt really mean as they were having a great time hopping around the yard!
Myfanwy is a fab hen and your little run looks safe and cosy.

[RichmondHens]

I've usually grown them on. I've had one or two that have been sweeties but the rest have been argumentative and bolshy with a tendency to get out in search of ladies as soon as they are any size.

I did get one up to about 4 lbs odd oven ready which is big for a legbar but he was quite laid back. Mostly they come in less, usually a meal for two.

This year we said we would despatch at day old, but it hasn't happened. I've only got the two boys so far so hardly notice them really. Will see what the next hatch brings.

[petal]

I have one enormous, bad mannered boy who is maran cross orpington and twice the size of the others at 6 weeks. He attacks the cats ( You should have seen 30 x 6 week olds playing on the 'patio/yard' yesterday afternoon, amazing how dust baths are pure instinct!) and he generally is going to make a real nuisance of himself until d day at 5 months!!!!!

[jessmorris]

Your chicks look beautiful, and i like your broody box set up too.

[Newtothis]

Thanks Jess
Acouple more pics, one showing the legbar side on. It's not a good camera so I hope you can judge better on the boy/girl status RH?





Need to get those plans done for an extra nest box if they're all girls....

[RichmondHens]

I'm still inclined to say boy but this one is tricky! A light spot on the head usually means boy, the wing tips are pale, which is typical male feathering, but the rest of the wings are coming through a little darker. Another pic in a week maybe?

Lovely little Exchequer btw.

[petal]

I would love to try some exchequers, I hear the hens are great layers.

[RichmondHens]

You can swing by me on your way back from Cumbria if you like and pick some hatching eggs up. Let me know and I'll put some by. Yes they are great layers. Mine have laid every day pretty much from the first egg onwards. Minstrel my Exchequer cock is a stunner, although he has temporarily spoiled his pretty looks by fighting with the IG cock and getting his face cut up a bit.

[petal]

already detouring to preston, better not push my luck! we really must do an egg swap some time!!!