Part 0800.0005

[Isabel]

We've had our two Pekins for nearly three weeks. We figured out early on that Fudge is probably a boy, ie. he started to crow. He hasn't crowed for a fortnight and I was beginning to doubt myself but he was in fine voice this morning. Here he is

 

 

I've had no doubts about Blackie .... until today when she stood beside Fudge ... and crowed Can a girl chicken crow? Could she just have been joyously announcing the start of a new day - although the noise she made was more like Fudge's crow than her usual cheep cheep. Anyway, here's a pic of her this evening - it's a bit dark but what does anyone think?

 

 

Going by the ages the breeder told us they were, Fudge ought to be 15w now and Blackie 13 weeks. Do they look this age?

 

If they're both boys, I don't know what I'll do. Our boys claim to love them to bits but one cockerel I could manage but two???? Don't think so!

 

Thanks

 

Isabel

[Egluntyne]

I think they are probably both boys. My girl Pekins didn't have that amount of head gear at their ages, and have never 'crowed'.

[Mollie333]

My girls don't have that face furniture now, and there both a year old!

 

Both boys.

[Isabel]

Thanks for that but ooooooooh ... how will I tell the boys? The sensible thing is for them both to go back to the breeder, isn't it? It's not fair to let one child keep a boy and not the other. I anticipate lots of tears. When I phoned the breeder about Fudge she said I could try another and see if it's a hen. Doesn't sound too hopeful. Wonder if I should cut my losses with her and try another Pekin breeder - the boys really want their Pekins. Gotta think about the best approach here ... bribery seems like a good way to go

[Redwing]

Pekins are pretty easy to sex, I can normally spot mine from a couple of days to a couple of weeks in, one mistake I could see but two out of two??

 

I'd return them and look elsewhere

[Mollie333]

Hmm yes.. Best to take them back and get a refund, coming back without hens is much better than coming out with not one but TWO mistaken cockerels!

I'd not buy from there again, find a better Pekin breeder!

[jellykelly]

Oohhh tricky one. My kids are devils for getting attached to things.

 

Could you not try the old.....'If we take them back, I'll let you choose three'

Stuff like that always works on my kids. Because the number is higher, they think they're getting a better deal. All loyality goes out of the window!

 

Good luck with whatever you do.

[Isabel]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to take them back and go elsewhere if the boys decide they still want Pekins. Both were crowing this morning again and Fudge was pecking at Blackie. It's the first time I've seen that happen and I'm wondering if it's because Blackie is starting to show his colours as a boy.

 

Re distractions for the boys ... our youngest is getting goldfish this week (he has diabetes and it's his annual blood test which he hates so this is a bit of a 'well done' for that present) and for the oldest ...? Dunno ... we'll work something out.

 

I'll keep you updated. Although I agree ... two mistakes is too many and esp as I queried Fudge's headgear when we bought him - they said you sex Pekins by their tail feathers . I'm not the expert but was at that!

 

Isabel

[Isabel]

They're going back to the breeder tomorrow. She has younger Pekins, around 5 wks, but I've learned a lesson now and wouldn't get young Pekins and maybe end up in the same boat again. She has offered me my money back ... DH said no way could I take it (£20) as it wouldn't be fair on her little boy who breeds them!

 

Our boys were really good about it ... the eldest now wants a gold-laced Orpington (he loves our Buff Orp as she's a real pet) and the youngest something black if poss or maybe a silver-laced Wyandotte. Watch this space