Thursday, May 13, 2010

The Barn Update

What have you got to say for yourself, Mama hen asked the blond.  Where did you get orange legs and white feathers, anyway?

The only roosters in the barn look like the Mama hen.  Stripes.  It is true that the two roosters hatched last Labor Day were referred to as "Mr. Orange" and "Mr. Pink", and both of them had Egglebert as their father.  The leg color, then, must be influenced by the mother's legs.  I think.  So which hens have orange legs?  I'll have to do some research, off the top of my head I don't remember bright orange hen legs.  Then again, I don't have any white hens, either!

I sure hope white baby is a girl!

Here's another look at the curious question of the chicken feet!

The runner ducks are developing their elongated triangle heads.  Unlike a Pekin duck, that has kind of a "stop" like a dog's muzzle, runner ducks have Roman noses -- a smooth line.

How's that for a profile?!  You can see the very first idea of feathers emerging around the eye.  Can't wait to see what color and sex they are!

It's hard not to be the stars!  The dark chick here is the one that survived the massacre.  She's going to be just beautiful in dark feathers with gold stripes.  The other two are sparrow-like Ameraucanas -- I bet they'll lay the best eggs!

We had some flooding from a thunderstorm last night, very soggy lawn.  But the chickens were delighted to be allowed out after dinner.

Egglebert led the ladies for a stroll through the vegetable garden (not much planted there yet, it's too wet).  I tried to get video of Ari Duckass flirting with him, but she was suddenly camera shy!

And that's the update for today.  Hope you're caught up!

4 comments:

Foothills Poultry said...

Sorry, but I would say that the white one is a Boy. I keep disappointing so many people when I tell them that.

tidbit for today: There are 2 types of white. Dominant white will produce white in offspring. Recessive White is not actually a color, it is a lack of color. Because of this you have no idea what color(s) are in the genes. When breeding recessive white birds you can get the full array of colors that are in the birds' genes.

~~Matt~~

Johanna said...

Oh, Matt. What is it about white baby that says "boy" to you?

Well, clearly this chick is recessive white, since no other white birds are in the barn. (Well, Ari Duckass is white, but I don't think we're dealing with a ducken!) So it will be interesting to have it around in future breeding!

--Johanna

The JR said...

You should get the easter egg colors from the americaunas.

Egglebert is a beautiful bird.

Sheryl at Providence North said...

My chickens LOVE being let out in the tall grass too! Lots of bugs in there!