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Friday, July 1, 2011

7 Week Old Chicks

The chicks are growing well and it appears that I have 12 cockerels and 14 pullets.  The lacing on some of the cockerels is looking good, however I am not as impressed with the pullets.  I hope that within the next month, their lacing will improve.  I am also disappointed in some of the coloration on the chicks, as it is not consistent.  I am looking for a mahogany red color, not golden red.  From what I have read, what their base color (the red and blue) is now is what it will be.  Some of the chicks have some brassiness beginning to develop in their hackles (neck feathers), which is undesirable as well. I will pick the best of what I have and build from there.  My little flock will be a work in progress. :)

These are a few of the pullets I plan to keep, and the cockerels I will be keeping an eye on for my breeding flock.

This Splash pullet, Pearl, I was not going to keep, however she continues to seek my company.  Today she flew up on my lap and made herself comfortable.  Since she is so sweet, I believe I will keep her and breed her to a Black Laced Red - a splash and black will produce 100% blue.

Side view of Pearl.

# 1, Splash cockerel

Blue Laced Red cockerel

Blue Laced Red pullet

Top view of the same pullet.

Another Blue Laced Red pullet.

My favorite Splash cockerel, left, and a Blue Laced Red cockerel.

A different view of the same Splash cockerel from above photo.








1 comment:

  1. Thank you so so so so much for these side-by-side comparisons. This is such an interesting breed, it's too difficult to tell what sex they are at a young age. It looks like all I have to rely on is the wattles. Mine are at five weeks right now, so looks like I'll be knowing very soon.

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