October 8, 2012

Cricket, Bug, and Cicada

Late in September, the new Araucana eggs hatched.  Of the eight I was sent, only three hatched--all of them black, and one with double tufts.  I’ve named them Bug, Cicada, and Cricket.  Clucky’s being a terrific mom, but even so, they’re struggling a bit with the suddenly cool, wet weather.

Both Bug and Cricket are trying to paste up.  Poopy butts can be a chronic problem in Araucanas because of the rumplessness trait and heavy fluff, but this young it probably indicates chilling or lack of vigor.  Clucky herself was afflicted with this when I received her after being shipped from New Mexico in November.  She recovered well although has remained smaller than the other Orps.  I could take the babies out and brood them under lights leaving Cicada (who is unaffected) with Clucky, but I think they’ll be better off remaining with her.

Cricket and Cicada

They all started out black, but after a week, Cicada is getting some rust color in his wings.  Even this early, I suspect he is male.  Cricket looks like he might have some blue in his coloring.  I was told that the potential fathers were blue and black and the hens were blue, black, and wild type, but I’m seeing from my first group that colors can vary wildly.

Kiwi

The first group is growing up.  Zen finally gave up motherhood last week, and at least two of the four males are crowing now at eleven weeks.  Both the tufted birds from this group, Kiwi and Oriole are male.  Oriole’s coloring is a constant mystery--he changes every week.  Looking at him now, I think he’ll end up being a sort of melanized golden duckwing with the straw color he’s developing spreading across his back.  He’s patchy now, but he’ll be striking in a month or two.  

Oriole

Kestrel

I think I have to thin my flock down to 20 chickens total.  So that means 4 Araucanas will have to be sold.  Kestrel is on Craig’s List now, and I’m thinking hard about selling Bunting too.  She has nice form and her yellow legs are correct for her color, but I don’t have anyone white to breed her with.  If I put her with a willow-legged rooster, her daughters would have willow legs, but all her sons would have yellow.

Bunting

I’ve been thinking hard about what I want to breed for.  Show quality birds must have two tufts, be rumpless, and be correct in color.  While I’m not that drawn to showing, a visit to the large Southern Ohio Poultry Association’s Fall Show last weekend yielded not a single Araucana.  It might be in the best interests of the breed to breed for shows and get them out there.  Meanwhile, since I have not one show quality bird among my original 11 (no one has two tufts, and only Raven is of a recognized color), I have been thinking about what I want to do for now.

Raven

They separate nicely into two groups on basis of color--I could have a wild type group and a blue/black/splash group.  But color shouldn’t be the first consideration at this stage.

Sparrow

I think Sparrow and Wren are my best two in terms of body type.  I think.  The main reason I’m even going to shows is to see what proper body type looks like in the flesh--so far to no avail.  These two pullets have nice solid bodies, a pretty expression, shorter legs, and no stray tail feathers.  As far as the boys go, I think Kiwi and Raven are too light and leggy and Oriole is too heavy.  I’m eager to see what they look like when they mature.  

Wren and Magpie

Lark

I’m also interested in breeding for good temperament.  I’m really tired of carrying a big stick and watching my back when in Finn’s presence, so if any of these new boys get an attitude, off they go.  This breed has a reputation for well-mannered roosters, so I’m hoping for the best.  Among the girls, Lark is still bold and friendly.  I also think she’s the most mature.  I caught her here in a private moment alone with Finn (who is in a heavy molt).  She may be disappointed when she eventually gets penned up with Oriole! 

Finn and Lark

Both Magpie and Hawk are extremely flighty, and I don’t want that either.  Dove is pretty shy too.  If I wanted to breed strictly for temperament, Kiwi and Lark would make the nicest pair.

Hawk and Dove

Vigor and health are very important to me too.  The first group are all excellent in that regard, but I’m keeping my eye on Cricket and Bug.  I remember Bucky being a sickly chick, and pulling through only to die suddenly and early.  

Another important breed trait is the blue eggs.  All the eggs in my first set were a sort of mint green, while those in the second set had more of a range.  I marked the second set individually and know that the bluest egg hatched and the two greenest eggs did not.  So I might have good egg color genetics in this second group.

So I have a lot to think about!