I’m beginning to think Pablo should be a show bird. Just look at him. He’s gorgeous.
While The Girl and I were outside in the coop yesterday, Pablo came right up to us and said hello. I think he saw the camera and wanted to get his picture taken, but what do I know.
And, at 17 weeks, he still hasn’t crowed. Which in my book, makes him one smart bird. He knows he has it good here in suburbia and I think he wants to stay put. So everyday we go out to the coop and hold him for a few minutes and remind him that he can only stay on the gravy train if he keeps mum. We’ll what happens.
All I know is this. We love him, and would hate to have to ship him off somewhere.
In other backyard chicken news… The hens received a special delivery.
The Handsome Husband said the green tarp I placed over the chicken coop was making our backyard look like a ghetto. So I had to order the girls a shiny new $28 rain cover for their crib.
Ahh suburbia. You gotta love it. No tarps allowed.
~Mavis
Madam Chow says
I wouldn’t expose him to anything that crows in case it gives him ideas!
Mavis says
My thoughts exactly!
lisa says
ive got one JUST like him and no Peep outta him either ! hahaha. late bloomers!!!!
Becca says
What kind of chicken coop do you have?
Robin says
Your husband’s comments kill me but I have to agree with him practicality (frugalness) must meet proper decorum half way in the middle. After all you don’t want to lower your property values, Hee hee! And the girls and Pablo will most likely appreciate the upgraded digs. Our girls have the Taj Mahal of chicken coops nothing but the best for this not a one horse town. Looking Good. We have one Americana that I suspect is a boy. He/She is going on 9 months without laying and without crowing. Now that’s a smart bird.
carrie says
That’s a pretty snazzy coop. Have you posted about it before? Where did you get it?
Mavis says
Omlet.com 🙂 I love it!
Rachel says
Apart from the crowing factor, won’t a male bird mean fertilized eggs {chicks} rather than edible eggs? Maybe you could grow your own meat?
Elizabeth says
Fertilized eggs are edible. As long as none of the hens go “broody” and begin incubating the eggs, they are almost identical to unfertilized eggs. Most people can’t even tell the difference between the two. 🙂
Mavis says
We are not interested in growing our own meat. But we’ll take the eggs. 🙂
Judy says
Have you thought of rabbits for meat? My husband and I are moving in July to our property in AZ. Once there we will raise meat rabbits – surprisingly, the majority of research I am doing online is from backyard breeders… We decided on rabbits for meat over chickens mainly because of the plucking of the feathers – and the poultry smell.
Judy says
Oh for goodness sakes! I just re-read your comment – and you’re NOT interested in raising meat – opps! Sorry – just ignore my rabbit comment… (red faced grin).
Paige says
Mavis,
I am interested in growing chickens for 2 reasons. To teach my kids where their food comes from and to be fugal! There is alot of information out there and even after reading through your VERY helpful blog I still have some questions. I was wondering if you would mind telling me what you used to get yourself started in building the coops, learning about the chickens, etc.. Thanks so much! Glad your in Seattle, we are in Tacoma – it’s nice to get local advise! Take care.
Mavis says
If you are in Tacoma, go to the Garden Sphere off Proctor and talk to Lisa. She can give you 101 advise and even teaches a class for newbie chicken owners. The site mypetchicken also rocks too. 🙂
Judy says
That’s wonderful that he is so friendly and that you pick him up all the time, that’s so important with all your chickens, especially the roosters – because when they come into their own, they are naturally mean – or aggressive, only because he’s protecting his hens. And the more contact you can have with him and his ladies – the less likely he’ll consider you as a predator.