Savingdogs-Saving the chickens

[Javamama]

I think the one growing the red feathers is a definitely a roo. The gold one I think is a hen. The rest I'm not sure yet since I haven't had coffee and my eyes aren't focusing real well right now. But mine all went through that 'shaggy' stage where I wondered if they were all roosters.

 

[valmom]

I am no help at all on sexing chickens- I'm hoping all mine are pullets for our new ones. OK, maybe one roo that accidentally snuck in would be good since we don't have a roo anymore. I miss the crowing!

Cute baby bunns!!

 

[Farmfresh]

I suspect the white and red one the most since he seems to be developing a long curling tail feather, but still pretty hard to tell at this point.

You could always try the method that my hillbilly dad used to promote, but you will need some assistance.



First you get the suspected male (this works with rabbits too) and grasp them firmly and gently between your hands.

Next the helper stands quite near and holds their head down as near the animal as possible.

Then you shake the animal vigorously.

Have the helper listen closely to see if they can detect the animals balls rattling!







Sorry I couldn't help myself!

Too many years of having dad say,"Did you shake 'em and listen for his balls to rattle yet?"

 

[calendula]

Farmfresh, those are some great pics of your americauna hens, what pretty girls!

SD, that's quinoa? It looks a lot like wheat or barley. Your baby bunnies are so cute! I'm no help on sexing the chickens, but they sure are pretty birds!

 

[TanksHill]

FF your too funny!!!

Great pics. I have no idea how to sex chickens. I usually just wait until they start to crow.

I have found that with my bourbon reds the males have a dark spot o the top of their head when they hatch. This is pretty consistent.

g

 

[savingdogs]

I only planted quinoa in that container, so it sure SHOULD be quinoa!

FF, you are too funny. I'd actually LOVE for that red and white one to be a male, if it is a he, he could help me make some pretty babies. I have seen EE/sussex crosses that were gorgeous so I'm planning on keeping the sussex with the EE roos as well as the RIRs and the orloffs and of course the EEs.

I trimmed the rabbit's toenails today and boy, did they need it! Something is wrong with Nana. She has some sort of discharge from her female area, I hate to speculate what is wrong with her. I was thinking of selling her as a pet since she has not produced any kits, but if she is in poor health that seems like a bad idea. I think I will see if I can clear it up. I washed her today and got it all off and cleaned her cage real well. I'm going to check her tomorrow and see if that starts to build up again. But I imagine this is why she isn't getting pregnant. I wonder if she has ovarian problems or if she could have cancer. If anyone has any ideas of what that could be or what it would mean, please let me know! Taking her to the vet isn't in the budget this month.

 

[sunsaver]

Just dropping in to say hi, SD! Shame on you,FF! But that really is funny!

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

i LOVE your pix!!!! and Kai says "hi" to Bandit!

i'm horrible at sexing chickens - basically if its my favorite one, then its a roo.
:-(

i love the tuffed ear ones!

say - were we drinking???? oh look here... its a pitcher of mint juleps.. my official new favorite drink. yay!

*clinks glasses with SD and gives hugs*

 

[savingdogs]

*takes a sip......"mmmmmm What is in this? I'm not used to much alcohol ya know." hiccup*

Those ones with the fluffy faces are the EEs. They all look pretty to me except the one that is for sure a roo, and he isn't so bad anymore. He was kinda gawky for a long time and just brown, but he has suddenly gotten some brighter red feathers. I'm usually better at sexing chickens but when the males are not larger than the females and they don't get a larger comb and wattle, it does just mean you are looking at the feathers and the legs. I guess I'll know for sure when they lay an egg or crow, or like the last ones, start raping all the hens.

I set up a little guest room today. Not that anybody is coming, but I have the space, I just needed to clear out the room. You know when you have an extra bedroom, it becomes the place to store everything you don't know what to do with. I just chucked most of that. The previous owner had done a heavy american indian theme in there complete with a BORDER, which I hate, and it was just a little too indian-princess of the NW for me. But they did a really cool indian style molding, which I actually really like, and it was a deep periwinkle. So I pulled off the border today and I'm putting light blue paint on the walls, that I found left over from my old house. I can't even remember why I had this can mixed, but it is a sky blue. So I'm working on that tomorrow. Painting is really challenging for me, going up and down gives me positional vertigo so I have to take rests. But actually challenging my balance system is supposed to be good for it when I'm not actually having the spins, my doctor says exercising the balance is good. I don't do ladders though, but luckily the walls are not too high in there and I can reach, even short ol' me.

My son Computer Nerd completed my blog framework for me today, now I can get to work designing what I want in it. I think it will be fun. Hopefully painting sky blue on the walls tomorrow will get the creative juices flowing. I'm thinking I should include filking on my blog as well, what do you all think?

 

[sunsaver]

My main source of income is as a painter. Ladders, scaffolds, stilts. All day, every day that i work. If i were to get dizzy, i would be in grave danger.

I'm looking forward to reading your new blog. Things are going boringly smooth for me right now. All of the SS journals give me a sense of thankfulness during these times of domestic peace, and a new hope during times of personal hardship.