For a 4H project I would have to show some chickens at the fair. None of our current girls are show quality, though. Penny is too obese and we can't confirm any of them are purebred. Millicent and Marigold are purebred but they do not have a set standard for their breed. We decided to get two orpingtons, a black orpington and a mottled, although the mottled would not be showable anyways. Our first ideas for names were; Ethel and Ester, but we decided we should keep these for a future pair of easter eggers. Instead they became Daisy and Violet.
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| Violet the Black Orpington. |
We kept them in a bin stocked with shavings for a few weeks before they got big. We upgraded them to a bigger box and then to a giant dog kennel. Only recently have we begun letting them outside for most of the day and bringing them in at night. They are around three months old now and we are thinking of moving them permenantly outside. They still stay in a seperate run, the little coop, because Violet needs to stay pretty.
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| Both chicks together shortly after getting them. |
We still can't even confirm these chicks are purebred, as Violet is beginning to look more mottled and Daisy appears different than what they should be. Daisy is also growing saddle feathers and has no tail (oops). He meets all the criteria to be a roo and I swear I heard him crow three times the other day, otherwise he (it) has been quiet.
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| They tend to find safety in the dog's fur. |
The idea was to sell these two as a pair before he got noisy and we grew too attached, though. Violet is turning out to be very mean and they are both flighty. However due to other complications we may keep them nevertheless. They are getting braver and are even willing to eat beside the big girls, although this ends in a lot of squawking and pecking.
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| Violet loves her dog. |
If Daisy turns out to be a roo he may be able to protect Violet from her attackers and get his revenge on his bullies in his own way. He seems very sweet and may never take control of the flock.
