Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Valkyrie]

That Jiu Jiu may become a table bird!

 

Much to DD's horror I have been trying to find out whether she is actually a he.

 

All fine until recently. She's been very hen-like. We removed the layers pellets because we had a sneaky suspicion that she was getting at them sneakily - her growth rate in her wattle and daub area is more than Squirt's. The latest is that she (?) seems to have grown beautiful green curly tail feathers, while the black ones still stick up like a hen. She still seems to have so much more black on her neck than in photos I have seen for roosters. So if we can grab her I will take another piccy to see what you think. At the moment I am feeling rather bleh because of it. What makes it worse is that this bird is DD's favourite.

Any other pointers in the meantime?

[Chickvic]

Sorry to hear that Koojie, hope Jiu Jiu is a girl

[Valkyrie]

Blooming good disguise up till now Chicky!

[teri]

i'm having simular problems.. my frizzles appear to have both had a sex change! the "definatley a boy one Fuzz" is now very girlie and my "sure thats a girl Fizz" is developing some very impressive head gear

surley it would be easier if the hens came out pink and the cocks blue..... it's not much to ask is it?

i'll stick some pictures on after dinner...i have already burnt the roasties because i was on here and nursing an injured chick.(looking better now)i darn't ruin another lot of spuds!

hope jui jui stays girlie for you, such a pretty name

[Space Chick]

Oh Koojie, fingers crossed that Jiu Jiu is a girl.

[Valkyrie]

Well this is both of them enjoying a bit of shelter from a shower. They were so comfy that the rain had stopped and the sun was out again. This was taken the other day. At the moment they are having a relax underneath the clubhouse tree after a frightening experience of coming face to face with a black cat!

 

 

The neck feathers are similar to Squirts, just picoteed more. Maybe Squirt's a late developing boy?!!! The mannerisms are henny, she still squeaks a bit, other than that a gargled honk - no different to the others. She doesn't have an upright stance unless she is after the big girls food - now to stop any further ado with that they are all on growers (I'm probably doing the wrong thing there too). Neither have spurs, just a teeny k"Ooops, word censored!" like the big girls.

 

Ooh, and the wings are held up - almost to her back rather than pointing down.

[Space Chick]

Oh Koojie, as you know I am no expert at all being still a novice and all, but for 2 hens thats are meant to be the same age, Jiu Jiu is far more developed that Squirt, so maybe she is a he.

 

I hope not for your sake

[Valkyrie]

I'm inclined to agree. It would be a pity - she/he is such a people friendly bird. She loves sitting on DD's lap. But then she also likes to scrabble upwards. So saying that Tipsy likes the highest perch going.

[Egluntyne]

A boy I reckon...sorry.

 

The patterned hackle feathers are far more pointy than his companions.......and the comb and wattles speak volumes too.

[CluckyBucks]

Hello

 

I had this problem with one of my chooks, i thought he was a she until next thing he was COCKADOODLEDOOing.

 

I always had my suspicions...

 

If she does turn out to be a he and you do still want him, why not ask your neighbors if they dont mind you having a cockerel??

 

All the best

 

xx xx

[Valkyrie]

Well the side with the nasty dog are happy with us having hens. When their daughter asked about chicks - the mum was horrified until OH said we would need a cockerel for that, and she breathed a sigh of relief. So looks like I won't need a trip to Waitrose for the roast soon. The handsome cockerel up the road has disappeared too, so I reckon that he was invited to dinner.

DD very subdued at the moment as the realisation is kicking in. I swear those tail feathers are longer today aswell. I had a look up JJ's bum earlier, but it looks exactly the same as the others.

So far DD has decided to rent a field and live in her car with her bird. That's not going to happen either.

 

I don't know how they can be sexed at 6 weeks - they were both the same then, and now we are on 13 weeks.

 

Oh dear I thought I cancelled the first one before it submitted. Can some nice moddy delete the upper deck?

[Angels4]

Sorry to say I think the others are right......Very much a boy.

[Valkyrie]

Well DD has decided that Jiu Jiu is going to be a girl until she starts crowing!

 

Of course if she doesn't crow then everyone will be happy, but I have a feeling . . . and then well get loads of chicks!

 

Just as well DD's vegetarian.

 

PS thanks to you all for confirming my thoughts.

[teri]

if jiu jiu is a boy do you know of anywhere that may adopt him? it seems such a shame as she sounds like a loverly people friendly bird

best of luck

[Chickvic]

That's a shame Koojie - does seem to look far more boyish compared to the other one

[mostin]

My two buff sussex started off looking just like your two but then Bella slowly turned into Bill, and it stated with bigger comb and wattles and and the curly green/black tail feathers.

 

He is now a huge boy, but I have managed to keep him so far as he is really quiet so far .

[Valkyrie]

And they vary from breed to breed from what I've read.

I have been told off to stop calling him a him this evening. Poor thing is having an identity crisis. She'll be putting him in dolls clothes next, but that won't alter the inevitable.

I knew the Orpies take a lot longer before finding out their sex, but I am surprised with regard to the Sussex's. This is going to hurt a bit - had it been the 6 weeks, we weren't quite as attached. Even notified Fleur that they were girls, so I may give her a call again. All I can say is Jiu Jiu is a very pretty boy.

[mostin]

They do grow into very handsome chaps, my Bill is a real stunner if I do say so myself, and very gentle too.

 

 

[jlo]

If you can't keep him Koojie, perhaps you could ask Egg Lou for the address at Up Nately where she took her boy?

[Valkyrie]

OOOH Jlo - you have a new avatar - it looks a bit like you too!

Poor Up Nately will be overflowing with crowing cockerels!

The whole of this evening - almost - was DD ranting about how she's a girl until that point in time. I wondered if her friend in Newbury would take him - farmhouse - and she could still visit him there. There I go again "him" is a dirty word in this house now. Even mum agrees (chicken lady of ye oldun dayes). But my mum is wrong, wrong I tell you, too. So "she" is staying until she starts crowing - hopefully "she" won't just yet. OH is very keen to do the deed - which doesn't help with DD.

Mostin, you are lucky indeed to have a quiet Bill. I was telling mum about him earlier. She also had (or rather my grandad did) a beautiful handsome birdie that never crowed. The hens were Rhode Island Red x Light Sussex. But I don't know what the rooster was.

And just to prove a point, Jiuj was brought indoors for a cuddle - because Jiuj is the easiest to catch (or gullible - hasn't worked out that there isn't anything to eat in DD's hand, but is ever hopeful)!

[jlo]

OOOH Jlo - you have a new avatar - it looks a bit like you too!

 

I am hoping that Poet will take the view that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery!

 

It was the closest to me that I could get!

[Valkyrie]

There isn't one wide enough for me!

[mostin]

Mostin, you are lucky indeed to have a quiet Bill. I was telling mum about him earlier. She also had (or rather my grandad did) a beautiful handsome birdie that never crowed. The hens were Rhode Island Red x Light Sussex. But I don't know what the rooster was.

And just to prove a point, Jiuj was brought indoors for a cuddle - because Jiuj is the easiest to catch (or gullible - hasn't worked out that there isn't anything to eat in DD's hand, but is ever hopeful)!

 

Fingers crossed for your boy too . Bill is also a bit daft, he knows he'd like to escape a cuddle but he can't seem to get his legs to work fast enough, picture cartoon road runner before he shoots off, . He has no coordination bless him, makes him an easy target and keeps him tame as I tell him every day "I am still the boss of my hens!" .

[Valkyrie]

I tell that to the rest of the family - they laugh and still ignore me. But at least I know who's boss!

[MedusA]

I'm with your DD. SHE is a girl until definitely proved otherwise!

 

If worst came to the worst, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to part with him unless he became a nuisance to the neighbours. I certainly couldn't dream of him going in the oven, but then I am a softie veggie.