vickichicky Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Hi can anyone give me a bit of advice / comments on my Lavender Araucana boy Arnold. For the last roughly 3 weeks (he is 8 weeks old now) his beak is always open. He can & drink ok but it looks a bit odd. I thought maybe it was the tip needing trimming back a bit - but on closed inspection last night when I went out with the camera (for Piccy time ) I don't think it is. I can't see any obvious reason for it. Trouble is as he is one of 3 boys I hatched out of my ten chicks (4 Barnvelder, 3 Speckled Sussex, 2 Lav Araucana + 1 Lemon Pyle Brahma) I was hoping to re-home him on the Omlet site. I am concerned this will put people off even though he is fine in every other way - and quite friendly letting me stroke him etc. I want to keep my Barnvelder boy as he is gorgeous & re-home Arnold & Kevin (the Speckled Sussex). I will try and upload a picture of him now.... Oops thats huge (sorry) couldn't find step four to select message board to make pics smaller A link to another picture of him ( not so good) is here http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n637/Vickichicky/099.jpg Many Thanks Vicki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Hmm, could it be because of the hot weather? He's a very handsome chap!! I like the size of your pic, I have an 8wk old Lavender Araucana (which my broody Silkie hatched) and I wasn't sure what sex it is; now I have seen Arnold, I'm reasonably confident mine is a girl now So, thank you for the big, clear picture :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 A few of mine walk around with their beaks open, I think it helps keep them cool when they get too hot. They also often hold their wings out slightly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickichicky Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 I like the size of your pic, I have an 8wk old Lavender Araucana (which my broody Silkie hatched) and I wasn't sure what sex it is; now I have seen Arnold, I'm reasonably confident mine is a girl now So, thank you for the big, clear picture :D lol glad it's helped you out! My girly one (Ava) hasn't got the crest as much as Arnold - she had the ear/cheek feathers sticking out instead. I took them all to the lady I bought the eggs from for confirmation Ava is the most nervy out of all the babies hence not many pics of her - but I'll try & get a photo of her tonight to show you tomorrow - so check back here then On the hot weather theory - I don't think it's that. None of the others are doing it (although they were last monday in that real hot spell we had - wings out and all ) He does it morning and night. I'll have another look tonight with my OH to hold him so I can get a better look. Do you think it'll put people off? Vicki x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 lol glad it's helped you out! My girly one (Ava) hasn't got the crest as much as Arnold - she had the ear/cheek feathers sticking out instead. ... He does it morning and night. I'll have another look tonight with my OH to hold him so I can get a better look. Do you think it'll put people off? Yes, my (now I know! ) girlie has the whiskers. She's actually my favourite (yes, I know Mum's shouldn't have favourites) because she is so placid and pretty independant of the others: she'll happily wander off on her own in the garden to explore and is usually the last one to bed at night. As for Arnold and being put off, I can only answer for myself and say that, no, it wouldn't put me off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Now all I need to do is come up with a name for her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 I think he's lovely - have you considered it may be gapeworm? He might also just be feeling the heat more than others - my spreads her wings and sits open mouthed, but my doesn't really seem that bothered by the heat too much - she has much less plumage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 A few of mine walk around with their beaks open, I think it helps keep them cool when they get too hot. They also often hold their wings out slightly. As long as he's not opening and closing the beak as if to yawn, then it's probs not gapeworm. But generally, an open beak is a sign of them overheating - as they can't sweat, they pant and hold their wings out. You wouldn't want a sweaty hen, would you? I sometimes put bits of cool water on them to help them out, otherwise they'd just have to sit down in the shade for a while or make themselves even hotter with some strenuous dustbathing... Hot weather affects different hens differently - the other day, my speckledy was panting with wings fully out. My bluebelle which is a MASSIVE hen was unaffected... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickichicky Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 I think he's lovely - have you considered it may be gapeworm? No I hadn't considered that to be honest but he's not doing the swallowing thing. What age can you worm them from? He's 8 weeks - 9 weeks on sunday 10th. I have both VermX and Flubenvet depending on which is best for their age. Thanks for your advice & praise of Arnold everyone - he is a cutie! I would keep him but have already decided on Barny pictured here http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n637/Vickichicky/110.jpg with my young neighbour Elisha who anounced last night that I have made her really like chickens! She's been a constant visitor to them since they hatched. Another convert! Vicki x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n637/Vickichicky/110.jpg Vicki x waaaant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickichicky Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 lol or then there's Kevin the Speckled Sussex! Pictured here http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n637/Vickichicky/105.jpg he's a mad little thing who dashes about all over the place! All 3 boys are really cute. Wish I could keep them all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Arnold is still my favourite, but they're all lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 you're not allowed favourites Mind you, I might have quietly told my top hen, Kiki that she was my favourite when she was dying of peritonitis... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Mind you, I might have quietly told my top hen, Kiki that she was my favourite when she was dying of peritonitis... I did the same with Gingy when she passed away We're all such massive softies on here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickichicky Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 I told my Ex-Batt custard that too when she was off to the vets to be pts We all have naughty favourites, even if it does change sometimes when ones been bad or another ill. As for Arnold - Well I'm just about to put an ad on the market place for him Can only keep one - and after Barny started asserting his authority over Arnold tonight I think I'd better get my bum in gear before it gets naughty. Hopefully whoever see him on there will think he's handsome like you all did. Fingers crossed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickichicky Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share Posted July 7, 2011 I like the size of your pic, I have an 8wk old Lavender Araucana (which my broody Silkie hatched) and I wasn't sure what sex it is; now I have seen Arnold, I'm reasonably confident mine is a girl now So, thank you for the big, clear picture :D As promised here is the picture of Ava the girly! http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n637/Vickichicky/Ava1.jpg and again http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n637/Vickichicky/Ava2.jpg She does look quite different to Arnold Hard to photograph as she skits around all over the place!! Vicki x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 I like the size of your pic, I have an 8wk old Lavender Araucana (which my broody Silkie hatched) and I wasn't sure what sex it is; now I have seen Arnold, I'm reasonably confident mine is a girl now So, thank you for the big, clear picture :D As promised here is the picture of Ava the girly! http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n637/Vickichicky/Ava1.jpg and again http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n637/Vickichicky/Ava2.jpg She does look quite different to Arnold Hard to photograph as she skits around all over the place!! Vicki x Aw, Vicki, thank you!!!!!!!! Not simply for taking the time and trouble to suggest posting a pic, but for actually *doing* it! You are a treasure :) Yes, that confirms it, my lavender Araucana is definately an X gene You're a little star, Vicki - I'm much obliged. And your girlie is just a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickichicky Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 Aw, Vicki, thank you!!!!!!!! Not simply for taking the time and trouble to suggest posting a pic, but for actually *doing* it! You are a treasure :) Yes, that confirms it, my lavender Araucana is definately an X gene You're a little star, Vicki - I'm much obliged. And your girlie is just a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e!!!! How brilliant for you! I am very pleased. It was no problem - I love this forem and all the friendly people! Us Chicken lovers are a sociable lot - I used to spend my tea break on Facebook - now I log straight on to Omlet Club with my cuppa and Sarnie Good luck with your girlie & babies - I'm loving mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 She's beautiful, I want her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
