The least hardy animals on the far are the chickens, at least, certain breeds of chickens. Some have just up and died, though have no signs of illness prior to their demise. Others have become sick with something or other. Some have been treated only to be lost shortly after recovery, which makes me wonder if survival of the fittest might be better in the case of chickens. Like many animals, certain qualities have been sacrificed for others, particularly beauty, and the result is less hardy birds. Often mixed crosses produce birds that are much hardier than one or both of the parents. In the case of the bantams, some are double mixed crosses and others are one cross mixed with a purebred bantam, the Japanese Bantams. These are friendly docile animals, sweet natured and very beautiful to look at. Their plumage is rich gold and they have an upright carriage, but they are not winter hardy at all. The first year, the three females froze to death and one of the rooster's feet froze. He succumbed to the weather earlier this winter and today, the second rooster's feet froze and he was put out of his misery. I shed a few tears for him, but the poor thing was literally half solid and suffering.
But he left offspring. He mated with one of the cross bantams and there are three babies that show his plumage, though not exact. One has the feather pattern of her mother, and the two roosters look much more like their father. Their combs and wattles are not so large though, which in this frozen north country, is a good thing, as they freeze. This little girl is a bold thing, like her mother, not very friendly and not the least bit tame, but pretty as can be. I managed to snap a photo of her feeding IN the feeder today. Isn't she lovely? And she is much hardier than her father by far, thank goodness.
But he left offspring. He mated with one of the cross bantams and there are three babies that show his plumage, though not exact. One has the feather pattern of her mother, and the two roosters look much more like their father. Their combs and wattles are not so large though, which in this frozen north country, is a good thing, as they freeze. This little girl is a bold thing, like her mother, not very friendly and not the least bit tame, but pretty as can be. I managed to snap a photo of her feeding IN the feeder today. Isn't she lovely? And she is much hardier than her father by far, thank goodness.
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