Thanks for all the information guys and gals. You helped me achieve my first successful hatch with a 93% hatch rate. Here are some of the little faces saying thanks!
There are studies at Texas A&M in progress trying to find a correlation between diet and egg coloration. Nothing conclusive has been released. But preliminary research finds a correlation between high carbohydrate levels and egg color, ie darker color eggs in Marans as well and darker...
This is my experience with my BCMs for the past 4 years. They are all individuals when it comes to hens. To say they are sensitive would not be best explanation. It is true that they will take time to adjust to a move just like people. The main thing is these birds are by no means prolific...
So I just got around 120 Jumbo Coturnix Quail fertilized eggs from a local breeder that knew I had empty incubators right now. She said I could keep half of what ever hatched and that she may send more my way, other breeds of quail from what I gather, if I'm interested. Well my question is what...
I have heard if you use a tiny amount of mineral spirits, found at any drug store and then seal with hair spray a hollowed egg will keep its shine and color. I dont know if thisnis true but would make for a good experiment.
This has been my experience with the hens from my bloodline for the age effecting factor. Texas A&M is doing some feed studies on nutrient results on colored eggs and what I state is only the preliminary result so far so I woukd just stick with a high protein diet for now before I'd make any...
Color darkness has three variables, diet, age, and genetics. Believe it or not diet can effect the color of your eggs, a higher starch content will result in an egg about 1 shade darker on average. Young hens will also lay lighter eggs on average in their first 3-4 months of laying. After this...
I'm going to try and hatch out some new offspring from some hatching eggs and see if I can't get a better tempered roo. And those that bought my babies they only wanted the genetics for their flocks. And i warned those that were using them for children showers about their temperament. My roo can...
The first pic is a pullet and the second is a roo. Though from my experience you little hen will lay eggs at a #4-6 in color shade for the first 8 months. So don't get discouraged if they are a deep dark chocolate color.
I find that the best winter insulation i could ever find for my chickens coup in the winter is old seed pallets stuffed with roll insulation. It forms an instant wall that acts as a barrier from the cold. Plus many feed mills just throw the pallets away so you can usually get them if you ask. My...
This is a tough poll, because there are many pleasant breeds to deal with, I had to vote orph though because mine are like big cuddly teddy bears that have adopted my 2 year old son into their flock.