I need help choosing between two Easter Egger chicks!
Our take
Ah, the eternal chicken conundrum: to snuggle or to *not* snuggle? Today, we dive into the delightfully chaotic world of Easter Egger chick selection, where the stakes are as high as the coop’s perch and the advice is as plentiful as a hen’s egg-laying schedule. Our friend Sad_Objective_3428 finds herself torn between two chicks—Skunk, the bold and independent one, and Mottled, the sweet and clingy companion. This isn’t just about choosing a bird; it’s about shaping the very soul of your flock. Let’s break it down.
First, let’s acknowledge the obvious: chickens are not pets. They’re living, squawking, feathered philosophers who will judge your life choices. But in this case, Sad_Objective_3428’s dilemma is relatable. After a predator attack left her flock decimated, she’s now navigating the thrill of raising 14 chicks, including a mix of breeds that promise a kaleidoscope of personalities. The challenge? Picking the final Easter Egger. Skunk, with her striking chipmunk markings and “disinterest” in being held, seems like a rebel with a cause. Mottled, with her “robust cheek puffs” and instant bond, feels like a cuddly therapist. But here’s the twist: Sad_Objective_3428 isn’t just choosing based on looks or snuggle potential. She’s wrestling with the deeper question of *balance*. Her current flock includes docile Marans and Sussex, a Welsummer with a “bright” personality, and an EE that’s “making me laugh dive bombing into the chick pile like she owns the world.” She’s already got a mix of soft and spirited, but she’s wondering: *Do I need another soft one, or a “Bad Bitch” to lead the charge?*
This isn’t just about individual chickens—it’s about the ecosystem of your coop. A flock needs diversity, both in breed and temperament. Skunk’s independence could be a boon for predator awareness, while Mottled’s friendliness might make her the ultimate companion for late-night feedings. But here’s the kicker: chickens are unpredictable. Even the most “sure thing” EE can surprise you. As one of our related articles notes, *“Breed help? (Update at 11.5 weeks)”*—sometimes the traits you don’t see at 8 weeks become the ones you cherish most. So, what’s the lesson here? Don’t let the fear of “too many soft ones” paralyze you. Chickens thrive on contrast. A little chaos keeps the coop interesting.
But let’s not forget the emotional labor involved. Sad_Objective_3428’s overthinking is a testament to how deeply we care about these birds. It’s not just about eggs or eggs—it’s about connection. The fear of regret is real: *“What if I pick too many soft ones and need another Bad Bitch?”* Or *“What if the independent one becomes flighty and mean?”* These are valid worries, but they’re also part of the journey. After all, chickens are like people: they’re not perfect, but they’re perfect in their own way.
So, what’s the verdict? As someone who’s been through the wringer of chick selection, I’d say: trust your gut, but keep an open mind. If you’re drawn to Skunk’s boldness, lean into it. If Mottled’s cuddles speak to you, embrace that. But remember: the best coops aren’t built on perfection—they’re built on the stories you share with your chickens. And as for the future? Well, as another article reminds us, *“Breed help? (Update at 11.5 weeks)”*—sometimes the answers come when you least expect them.
In the end, whether you choose Skunk or Mottled, you’re not just adding a chicken to your flock. You’re adding a character to your life. And that’s something to cluck about. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go check on my own flock. I’ve got a Skunk who’s *definitely* plotting something.
Breed help? (Update at 11.5 weeks) Breed help? (Update at 11.5 weeks) Breed help? (Update at 11.5 weeks)
| | Hello lovely chicken people! I'm in a bit of a bind making a decision and I think I could use outside help. This post will probably end up way longer than it needs to be, I'm a bit of an overthinker and I'm taking you all on that journey with me if you'd like to come along! After a predator attack on our already small flock of three a couple months ago we were sadly left with 1 adult Easter Egger chicken. Because my mother in law was also getting chicks this year we decided to order a batch with her, and decided to use the opportunity to get some fun breeds in addition to some more EEs. In total we've got 14 chicks at our house. 7 easter eggers, 4 blue french marans, 2 speckled sussex, and a welsummer. We're keeping both sussex and welsummer, 2 of the french marans and 2 of the easter eggers, and mil who wants mostly EEs is taking the rest. Now in the past I've always just got what I got, I never had the opportunity to choose which chicks I'm keeping after raising and bonding with them. We've already picked out which marans we want, and one of the EEs for sure. My problem is picking the last EE. It is between two of them, and I swear I think I change my mind every 15 minutes. I need fellow chicken people to guide me. So between the two there's one I'm referring to as Skunk and one I'll refer to as Mottled. Skunk was striking to me from the beginning because her chipmunk markings were very high contrast. Her lighter color is very buff and her dark stripes are nearly black. Her legs are light yellow. She just looks so interesting and I'm incredibly curious about how she'll turn out as an adult and I think she'll be really pretty. The mottled one on the other hand doesn't stand out much from the other brown chipmunk EEs at first but on closer inspection she has a lot going on with the patterns on her head, she has a more grey undertone than the others and even as a chick her cheek puffs are particularly robust. Her legs have that greywash color to them. Now I don't want to pick only on looks, but I certainly love how pretty and different easter eggers can be so it is a factor for sure. But I definitely want friendly chickens too and I'm really hoping a few in this new batch would like to be lap chickens. Between the two EEs the skunk one seems way more independent. She is less receptive to being held, and while she still comes up to me when I hand offer them food, she's usually one of the last to investigate and hop into my hand. It doesn't seems out of shyness, but more disintrest. The mottled girl on the other hand just melts into me instantly. She is so friendly and sweet even from a day old that it's really hard not to bond with her. So signs point to mottled girl, right? But here's where my overthinking comes in: While we want friendly chickens and we're putting in the effort to socialize them, I think it's also important to have chickens that are independent thinkers. Maybe more watchful and protective in alerting for predators, and also I think the ones that are a bit more spicy in personality can provide the most comedy because they're always getting into or up to something. The marans we're keeping are incredibly docile and sweet and seem to love being held, they relax instantly when you pick them up. The sussex also, one in particular, seems very friendly and incredibly interested in me, as is the welsummer. The EE we already know we're keeping you can tell she has a hilarious and bright personality and she's already making me laugh dive bombing into the chick pile like she owns the world. So we already have some really sweet soft personality birds, in fact I'd say they all seem particularly chill with the exception of the buff EE were keeping and the welsummer who seem a little brighter and more inquisitive. So...do I add another soft soft girl or one who would tip the balance back to more active/independent? What if we pick too many soft ones and needed another Bad Bitch instead to be a strong leader? Or what if I pick the more independent one instead and she becomes flighty and mean and I regret letting go of the sweet girl who just wanted to snuggle? I'm including pictures of the two. I know easter eggers can be a giant mystery as to how they'll turn out, but if anyone here who has more knowledge on chicken genetics has some insight about what mixes they could possibly be or how they might look as adults I'd love to hear it! Particularly if anyone had a chick that looked like either of them I'd love to see how they turned out. I've included pictures of the two, and tried to show their early wing feathers as well. I know this is a very long post for what is ultimately probably a pretty inconsequential decision but I think it's fun to think about. If it were you, which chick would you keep and why? I need help! [link] [comments] |
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