North Carolina

[TarheelBirdy]

Got 11 eggs yesterday, seems the Silkies have gone on strike, but the others have upped production. Also 2 SFH eggs laid, just need to get the 3rd hen laying now....

My SFH girls started laying last week (Yay!)

 

[gavinandallison]

My SFH girls started laying last week (Yay!)

Congratulations!

 

[atmaclean]

I'm not a Silkie person, but you'll need to avoid "baby" feathers...the ones growing in. Those still have a blood supply. They may be big or small, but you can tell the shafts are darker with the blood supply. Have needle-nose pliers handy when trimming. If you accidently cut a blood feather, you'll need to pull it, or it will continue to bleed. Feathers don't clot well. Aside from that, it should just be aesthetics.

I'm so glad you told me this ahead of time! I will have the pliers ready just in case..... I've had parrots in the past and trimmed their wings with no problem but I guess I'm nervous about cutting around their eyes/face.... I will try to get some before and after pics

Angela

 

[busymadre]

I get my six Easter eggers Thursday evening after work. I'm off on Friday so will have the whole weekend to get to know them

 

[tick22]

I get my six Easter eggers Thursday evening after work. I'm off on Friday so will have the whole weekend to get to know them

Congrats!!!!

 

[tick22]

Ok, time to pick you long time chicken owners mind.



How old can a Rooster get and still be able to get the job done. as in fertilize the hens eggs. My guy is getting on 3ish years old. Do I need to replace him or is he still good to go????




Neighbor told me to get him some blue pills but he still does his business, but I am not sure he is getting it done...

Had a 50% hatch rate this last summer and late fall from my broody hens. So I know some of him is good....

Have 3 younger Roos (7 months old) sitting on the bench waiting to get a flock or go to Freezer camp.... They may be brothers to some of the newer girls while Dallas our old boy is from a different flock, my neighbor use to have. I am not trying for show birds, just for eggs and buddies.....

Thanks for any info.

 

[Matt A NC]

How old can a Rooster get and still be able to get the job done. as in fertilize the hens eggs. My guy is getting on 3ish years old. Do I need to replace him or is he still good to go????

Chitter Butt, bantam cochin, turned 6 last year and his gals' eggs were fertile.

Matt

 

[TarheelBirdy]

I get my six Easter eggers Thursday evening after work. I'm off on Friday so will have the whole weekend to get to know them

How exciting! Lucky chickens, getting a Mama who already loves them

 

[TarheelBirdy]

By the way, I have room in my incubator. I am setting eggs Friday morning. Let me know if anyone has eggs they want me to hatch for them.

 

[wildriverswolf90]

Ok, time to pick you long time chicken owners mind. 



How old can a Rooster get and still be able to get the job done.  as in fertilize the hens eggs. My guy is getting on 3ish years old. Do I need to replace him or is he still good to go????




Neighbor told me to get him some blue pills but he still does his business, but I am not sure he is getting it done...

Had a 50% hatch rate this last summer and late fall from my broody hens.  So I know some of him is good....

Have 3 younger Roos (7 months old) sitting on the bench waiting to get a flock or go to Freezer camp....  They may be brothers to some of the newer girls while Dallas our old boy is from a different flock, my neighbor use to have.   I am not trying for show birds, just for eggs and buddies.....

Thanks for any info. 

It depends on the rooster, I had a 2 year old go infertile on me, I witnessed him getting the job done correctly but no fertile eggs, and I know the hens were fertile. My neighbor has a rooster going on 4 years and she used to get 90% fertility, but as of last summer it was down to 40%, so she retired him.