Feeding advice for bantams (one broody, one moulting)

[Janty]

We have rehomed two chickens that Nicola O collected for us from her farmer friend. The average sized one is a lovely looking hen but the bigger one looks like the love child of a vulture, a buzzard and a turkey.

 

We are not even sure if she is a she. She definitely has brahma in her but has bald legs

We are waiting for the vet to call back as she has a broken toe. Poor thing has just tried to roost in the sage but couldn't get comfy.

 

Any ideas as to what the poor thing could be....boy, girl, chicken, buzzard?!!

 

 

 

 

 

I know it's dark and the photos aren't that clear but any ideas would be welcome. I convinced myself that she is a hen but the neck feathers are very long and pointy. She is lovely natured whatever she is. Tonight I opened up the eglu after only three days of intros and her and her friend mixed in with my lot straight away. No pecking at all. Hubby says that he hopes she is a girl as we can look after her a bit. Bless him!

Edited February 7, 2009 by Guest

[Madbird]

That tail looks very boyish to me

[Trish]

Urm sorry I agree that tail does look like a fella, but then the rest of the bird is a weird mix as you say

[Janty]

The vets have called back. I am on hold at the moment. They are trying to get an appointment for tonight.

 

 

No, poor Frankenstein will have to wait until tomorrow. They haven't got any appointments tonight.

[mccroft]

yep that's a boy

[xChicken04x]

wow, that is a big boy .

Maybe a Brahma X Orpington?

 

It seems to me that your destined to keep a cockerel, they just keep ending up with you .

[feemcg]

Certainly looks like a boy........are you keeping him?. I'm just thinking about spending money at the vets if you're not

[Janty]

Well, he/she is tucked up in bed now. My gut says cockerel but you try to convince yourself otherwise, don't you?

 

 

Poor thing is very placid. It is a shame.

[Egluntyne]

Those sweeping saddle feathers and the stance all say 'boy' to me.

[Janty]

I'm in a very difficult position. I can't keep him/her if he is a cockerel and I am not quite ready to do the deed myself yet (not confident that I could ensure a quick end). On the other hand I believe that if you take on an animal you are making a commitment to give it the best care possible. The toe is very bad and he/she is obviously finding it difficult to cope with although I couldn't say that he/she is in pain.

 

I will see what the vet has to say tomorrow.

[xChicken04x]

Well, he/she is tucked up in bed now. My gut says cockerel but you try to convince yourself otherwise, don't you?

quote]

 

Yes- it must be hard for you .

 

Maybe you could just see how loud he crows and then decide?

 

Edited: Just seen your last post, hope the vet is able to come to a conclusion for you...

[feemcg]

Difficult situation but you'll probably spend as much at the vets getting the toe fixed as you would having him put to sleep........and if you can't keep him anyway (it's so difficult finding someone to take boys)

[Daphne]

not very helpfully I'm afraid but I think those feathers have to be a boy, and I'd say there's orp in there. The neck is quite elegant like a girl, but those sickle feathers are a bit of a give-away.

 

I can't begin to comment on the boy x bent toe issue, although the rational bit of me thinks feemcg must be right. I'm not sure where you are - any rehomers close by? I know of one in the Midlands and one in the NW.

Just seen you're in Lowestoft so thats no good. Sorry.

Edited February 3, 2009 by Guest

[craftyhunnypie]

What a love. The tail suggests a boy, but only because of the pointed feathers which are curling to the ground. However, the rest of the body looks hen like & especially the comb. How old is the bird?

Best to keep an open mind & let the vet say. I could not have him / her dispatched.

I have 4 cockerels. Two at the front live together with no problems. But the dominant one is the only one who crows - the other one doesn't anymore.

 

Emma.x

[chelsea]

Those sweeping saddle feathers and the stance all say 'boy' to me.

 

 

I agree, tail feathers say boy to me!

[Redwing]

Aww! bless. It looks like Big-Bird and Emu's love child

 

I hope its a girl

[Janty]

Good news!

 

 

I have just spoken to Jo at Little Hen Rescue in Norfolk. I am helping with a rescue on Saturday morning and she has said that she will take our boy. She has a waiting list for cockerels and thinks he may go to a suitable home on Saturday.

 

I am taking him to the vets and getting his foot looked at tomorrow as planned and then he will go to a loving home with parents who can accept his crowing when it starts.

 

I am so pleased for him.

 

[surferdog]

Brilliant news Janty!

[chelsea]

great news and a relief for you too. Result !

[Redwing]

That is good news, it deserves a good home

 

Will you keep it of it does turn out to be a girl?

[feemcg]

Thats great he can be re-homed

[Electricbarbarella]

thats great news.

[Janty]

If it is a girl then she is welcome to stay. I have said to Jo at the rescue centre that I will see what the vet has to say as I am seeing one of the partners who is a poultry expert.

 

I will be overjoyed if it is a girl but I can't see it.

[moomin]

I hope it's a girl, it's a lovely looking chook and very unusual. I bet it's hoping its a girl as well so that it can stay with you

[Nicola O]

Hi Jan

 

As I said in PM, sorry if he's a boy. Now I look at the pictures I can see it in the tail. How did I not notice before. The guy was so positive the chook was female, I guess I got carried away in the excitement and believed him (well, you would - he's got hundreds of chooks so he's supposed to know these things). I hope he wasn't just trying to fob boys off on me. But I'm really pleased you've got him sorted - it would be a shame to have to 'do the deed' coz he's quite a weird but wonderful looking bird.

 

I'll have to borrow the camera from work and get some pictures of mine up for everyone to 'vote' on. I'm praying that mine are all girls . I'm not sure about the developing tail on one of them .

 

Nicola.