I hope these prove out as genetic for you and don’t come up with any issues like a compressed spine because I LOVE how the pattern looks on the chunkier body of this lady!
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So far so good at 8 months! Their growth rate is different from their non-Bantam clutchmates. Unsurprisingly, they are less agile in branches. I’ve done very little testing of that. Their juvie enclosures aren’t set up for it.
I did the same pairing this season, and huge mom is very gravid and in pre-lay blue. So we’ll know more about heritability in a few months, I hope. 
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We will see! I mean it looks like it but I am excited!!!
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I am so hoping these Bantams prove to be healthy with no issues whatsoever. I remember what a “stir” these guys caused when you first introduced them last year. Nuff said………
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Me too. I’m pretty optimistic at this point, but there are unknowns still. The question of whether it’s heritable at all should be answered this season. But it’ll probably take some sib x sib and parent x offspring clutches in the future to confirm suspicions that it’s recessive. IF they breed without issue.
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They are cute. I really do want to see an xray, though.
There’s no reason to think you won’t get more from the same pairing. It isn’t like there was only one in last year’s clutch. It’s certainly appearing to be genetic and recessive (I know, one can’t say for certain based off a single clutch with no genetic tests available for corns). I’m going to sound like a broken record of Debbie Downer here, I know, but I’m really concerned about spinal compression. It would explain every factor which appears different with these animals. I know, you’re growing them up responsibly and taking good care of them and watching to see how they do. That’s your right, and it’s sensible and ethical. I would personally have gotten xrays before trying to make more of them. This is not meant to be an attack on you, @deanaii . I respect you. Just saying that I would have made a different choice.
I do wish you much luck. I hope that the animals do well.
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Big same.
It’s just beating a dead horse going on about the same stuff all the time and the difference of opinions on how to move forward.
It’s just waiting on more info for now.
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I totally respect that different choice! One factor influencing my own planning that can’t be conveyed in words is the feeling of months and months of day-in-day-out care with zero difference between raising them and any other corns I’ve raised. I’ve never babied them with feedings, and I feed heavy to subadulthood. Never had even a torn shed from one. They do everything their non-bantam sibs do.
There’s an x-Ray plan mapped out, but I don’t see the point in doing it to anything smaller than subadult. But that’s not easy to determine with these guys. I also haven’t decided who’s the best candidate to be shipped off for that. But I’m guessing that stuff will start happening in autumn. I decided to breed the parents again, not only because I didn’t want to spin my wheels on the bantam project for a year, but because I need more Shatter Stripes, Honey Stripes, SK Stripes, Honey Shatter…
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Just thought I’d add a couple new pics of the low expression girl from you. I’ve misplaced my camera, so cell phone pics will have to do! She’s one of my favorites, very gentle and curious and an excellent eater.
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I love love love that paint job. Currently, she’s in the running for my favorite bantam body type. I predict that she will continue to gain expression. She could even end up medium. The ones I have are not conforming neatly to my baseless expectations.
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I was wondering how those guys were doing! They all look very healthy with none of the spinal issues predicted in the previous thread where you introduced them!
Congratulations with the on going success!
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Thanks Caron! So far, so good. The eight I have are all doing fantastic, and the one Olivia’s got is too. Day 27 for their sibs:
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Oops! I forgot about the one you have Olivia! I am so glad everyone is doing well!
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Ok so I am blown away by those guys! I can’t even narrow down which one or ones appeal to me the most!
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Thanks! I know what you mean.
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Sorry if this has been stated and I missed it, but what age are you waiting for to potentially scan for spinal issues? I’m not sure at what age corns stop growing and if these would be any different…or if that would impact Xray visibility.
If they turn out hearty and healthy I may have to snag one way down the line! What interesting body shapes!
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