It's getting warmer

It is getting warmer!  Summer is just around the corner  and even though it will be easy enough for us to head to the beach, it won't be quite so easy for the chickens.  Already the 3 month old chicks are finding ways to cool off and relax.  Sometimes that means digging in the dirt early in the morning, and then slipping underneath the cool of the coop  for the hottest part of the day.

No matter what the weather is there is always at least one character finding a unique way to relax and let it all hang out...  For example, today's award for " Letting it all hang out" goes to...

Colored Cochins!

Though you can only see the one cuddled up to mom
in this photo, we have 6 little guys running around in
our big coop with the adults.  As their feathers come in we are seeing some very strange but interesting markings and colors develop.  Once they get a bit older I will post some pictures to document the feather patterns.  But already I'm wondering what is in the genetic background....

 Speaking of surprise genetics, this blue mottled cochin  chick is growing and doing well.   I"m curious to see if the mottling will continue or if it will disappear with the next molt and leave us a solid blue bird.

Likewise with the black mottled cochin chick.  Will the white feathers become black?  I"m hoping not.  I"m really loving the look of the mottling and would love to see this carried on to further generations.






We have our eyes on a few others that are becoming increasingly interesting as they grow......

Looks Exactly like  his daddy Big Bo

Beautiful color, hoping it stays.

These barred feathers are going to be interesting when this chick is grown!

Mr. Bo Blue

Last September, I had shared a couple pictures of Bo Blue, one of our Large Fowl Cochin, also called Giant /Standard to  distinguish from the smaller sized bantam cochins..  We had no idea what to expect when the buff colored feathers started appearing on his chest.  Now in his adult plumage, I thought I would put the pictures all together here so others could enjoy watching him grow and see the changes as we have.   Obviously my favorite Roo with his wonderfully sweet personality, and beautiful coloration I am even more excited to watch Bo pass along these great traits to future generations.  So far, I have spotted at least 3 chicks that will have the same type of coloring.  Pictures of them will be posted soon.

Here is Bo Blue at 2 months.  Hard to believe he started out completely blue, but soon he started to show some buff feathers on his chest, then wings then it just kept going.

 

Here is Bo blue at 6 months.  Amazing what a change in only 4 months makes!  He has the  most amazing feathering on his legs and feet and I can't wait to see what kind of babies we get from him.

 Bo Blue at one year old, enjoying an evening stroll with the ladies through the back yard.  He has kept his amazing feathering on his feet and legs.  Already we are seeing his coloring and feathering passed down to future generations.