growth
growth on Alektorophobia: a running collection of 3 stories we have gathered and hand-picked because they are worth your time. Every post here touches on growth in some way — the news, the analysis, the deep dives, and the occasional surprise find. Chickens. Everything there is to know about chickens and the fear of them. New stories are added to this page as we find them, so check back if you want to keep up with what is happening around growth, or subscribe to the RSS feed to get them as soon as they are published. Browse the collection below, or head back to the homepage to see everything Alektorophobia is covering right now.
Going through my videos and noticing my silkie who I thought was a GIRL is looking really boyish? Am I seeing things?
## Is Your Silkie a Silly Surprise? Decoding Gender in Chickens /u/Alejandrittaa’s question sparked a cluck-tastic debate: could a seemingly female Silkie actually be a rooster in disguise? It's a common conundrum – distinguishing between young chickens can be surprisingly tricky! Early appearances can be deceiving, and sometimes those feathered friends keep us guessing. We've all been there, captivated by a chicken's charm, only to discover a surprise. If your Silkie is displaying increasingly boyish behaviors, it’s worth investigating. Don't chickening out of a closer look! For more on identifying chicken breeds, you might find our article, "What breed of chickens are these?" helpful in confirming those initial breed assessments. Let’s unravel this mystery together!
My most beautiful grow out!
Feast your eyes on this cluck-tastic grow-out success! /u/SaeveraRivers recently shared the stunning results of a cross between a Mystic Onyx (with Silkie Fibros influence) and a blue/partridge Silkie rooster – a truly egg-citing endeavor! The hatch yielded a vibrant array of chicks, including a showstopper boasting a striking black head, orange body, and blue bottom – a veritable tri-color marvel aptly named Phoenix. SaeveraRivers was delighted by the successful inheritance of the desired fibro trait across the entire brood, though slightly disappointed by only one pure black chick. Hoping for a predominantly hen flock, they’re keeping a close eye on two blues exhibiting unusually large combs. For more insights into chicken health concerns, check out our article, “Rooster limping, how to help?
Why do these two look perpetually electrocuted?
## Why Do These Two Look Perpetually Electrocuted? You're not alone in noticing that peculiar, perpetually startled look in some chicks! /u/tdubs702's query about their week-old chickens highlights a surprisingly common phenomenon. Often, this "electrocuted" appearance stems from a condition called "piloerection," where tiny muscles at the base of the feathers cause them to stand on end. It's essentially a chicken version of goosebumps! While it *can* sometimes indicate stress, in many cases, chicks simply outgrow it. However, as /u/tdubs702 observed, sometimes they don't. Keep a close eye on their overall health and behavior. For a deeper dive into chicken care and observation, check out our 24/7 livestream, "Peckington Square Chicken City," for a constant view of feathered friends!