Back in January of this year, three of my hens went broody. They hatched out
an assortment of sweet baby chicks. A few weeks ago I noticed something odd about one of them that I hadn't noticed the day before. I'm not sure if it came on all of a sudden or if it was a gradual thing because to me all of a sudden it was just there.
I have been around chickens off and on all my life and have been keeping them for 30+ years and have never before seen or even heard of "Crossbeak" before. (not in a chicken anyway)
I watched her and she was doing great, she ate and drank just as good and vigorous as her siblings and over the next couple of weeks she became my favorite in the chicken yard.
(please excuse the dirt under my nails ;) I had been planting)
Crossbeak comes on when the chicks are somewhere around 8 weeks or so, and no one is sure of the cause. Some say it's hereditary and others say something happens during the incubation period. I tend to go with the latter, because I have both parents of this little chick and neither have even the slightest cross. During the incubation (which was done under a live hen and not in an incubator) I did move the mother hens and eggs during the last part of incubation. I moved them each to their own secluded box away from the other hens.
an assortment of sweet baby chicks. A few weeks ago I noticed something odd about one of them that I hadn't noticed the day before. I'm not sure if it came on all of a sudden or if it was a gradual thing because to me all of a sudden it was just there.
I have been around chickens off and on all my life and have been keeping them for 30+ years and have never before seen or even heard of "Crossbeak" before. (not in a chicken anyway)
I watched her and she was doing great, she ate and drank just as good and vigorous as her siblings and over the next couple of weeks she became my favorite in the chicken yard. 
(please excuse the dirt under my nails ;) I had been planting)
Crossbeak comes on when the chicks are somewhere around 8 weeks or so, and no one is sure of the cause. Some say it's hereditary and others say something happens during the incubation period. I tend to go with the latter, because I have both parents of this little chick and neither have even the slightest cross. During the incubation (which was done under a live hen and not in an incubator) I did move the mother hens and eggs during the last part of incubation. I moved them each to their own secluded box away from the other hens.I'm not sure of their life span and I'm sad to say that this little one didn't make it.
These are just two of my boys (still living at home anyway) ;)
These are just two of my boys (still living at home anyway) ;) Tigger and Oreo.......two of four siblings we rescued. They are Polydactyl cats, each have seven (fingers ;) *toes* on their front paws and six on their back paws.
This must be so nice ;)
These three are males (brothers). Their sister is lounging somewhere......not sure where though. They are always within sight distance (where they can see me that is) when I'm outside. They're laying on an old piece of carpet I threw out, to lay in various parts of the yard to kill the grass, so I can plant. ;)
So much to do.....so little time......Take Care!
TTFN!
Julie ;)
Awwww that poor little chick and it look so sweet & cute, so sorry it didn't make it.:( The boys look like they are so enjoying that piece of carpet and their nap on it. :-)
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Ohhhh Julie! How awful. I have heard of crossbeak, but I've never seen it with my chickens. I hope I never do, and I hope it's the last time you do. It is really amazing how crossed the beak really gets. How awful for that poor chick - and you. I'm so sorry it didn't make it.
ReplyDeleteYour furry sons are so handsome! Isn't it amazing how comfortable cats can look? It makes me sleepy just looking at those pictures!
I chuckled about your dirt under the fingernails comment. I wouldn't have noticed if you didn't mention it, but I often get comments about something in a picture that I didn't even realize was there and has nothing to do with why I took the picture! I have gotten better about making sure there aren't a lot of dust bunnies in my house pictures though - ha! Wish I was there with you in your yard getting my fingernails dirty! XXXOOO
You are so sweet Charlotte! XXXOOO
ReplyDeletePenny, you always make me smile (and or) laugh! Thank you for that! ;) I learned a long time ago to analyze my pics before I show them, sometimes though something gets past me, but if I can, I throw in an explanation. Many years ago Joe and I had Military Ball pics made and to us and everyone else they were SO good! Until Mama pointed out something about my dress and to this day I can't look at that pic without going to that area! ;/ It's just ALWAYS something! ;)LOL
I wish you were here with me, getting your nails done too! ;) Speaking of which I'm running late this morning, I should have been out there already!
Love and Miss You!!! XXXOOO
I am so sorry about your sweet chicken, she looked like a very sweet girl. I have heard about it, but have never seen it. In that first picture of your two boys sitting together, it looks like the black and white one is poking the other one and saying "hey look at that"! Love you girl!!
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