One of these things is not like the others.
This is what you get when you are blinded by emotion. When we picked out our Araucana chicks, one of them had lines a bit “muddier” than the others, a bit more blurred. I had my early doubts about her, but I chose to ignore them.
And of course, being the master of denial, I plunged forward. “She’s just going to be unique,” I said to my daughters. “Let’s take her.”
Little did I know just how unique this one would be.
Take a look at our chicks, one of these things is not like the other.
Now take a closer look.
Yes. That, right there.
Something is up with this chick. She’s clearly three times the size of our other chicks. She’s an upright chick preferring to stand tall, rather than hunched over like her sisters. And she’s got these enormous white wings, so much so that the girls are calling her “Elsa” in honor of Frozen’s Snow Queen (who actually wears ice blue, but point taken.)
At times Elsa looks vulturish, turkeyish, and if you really squint, she seems to have a gangly adolescent swan-like quality to her.
I’m sorry to say this, but if she were a duckling, I’d have to call her “ugly.”
The only answer is that someone must have come in the night and switched one of our chicks with an Amazonian bird. This chick is enormous and shows no signs of stopping.
Of course, another answer is that sometimes, with chick shipments, the supplier will throw in a stray rooster or two to be used for their body warmth and for “bump protection” along the way.
Please, please let that not be the case with our chick. Large is fine, loud is not.
Any guesses on her breed would be greatly appreciated.
***
Wendy Thomas writes about the lessons learned while raising children and chickens in New Hampshire. Contact her at [email protected]
Also, join me on Facebook to find out more about the flock (children and chickens) and see some pretty funny chicken jokes, photos of tiny houses, and even a recipe or two.
Like what you read here? Consider subscribing to this blog so that you’ll never miss a post. And feel free to share with those who may need a little chicken love.
