11th Annual Easter Hatch a Long 2020

[Pensmaster]

Then it might just be my rooster that is really rough with my hens

I was thinking after posting maybe I have gentlemen.

 

[Pensmaster]

No it should be fine. Roosters have their favorites and will often not mate with all of the hens

And some hens flat out refuse.

 

[CindyinSD]

It's my understanding that the max chicken ratio is around ten females to one male. Five to one seems more likely to produce consistently fertile eggs. I intend to put my Buckeye cock in the small pen with the 4-5 Buckeye hens I have running around. Not now, though. Both incubators are full up with waterfowl atm.

I just set Buff Goose eggs. Eleven--I'm torn because I wanted to go the max with seventeen, but it's coming up on seven days and I don't like that much either. If I get more in the next couple of days I'll likely add them, but I don't have a dedicated hatcher and not sure I'll want to keep my other Incuvue out of commission long enough to use it for hatching geese (hopefully). This may all be moot if I don't see wigglers. I only found one fertile egg before I stopped eating them and started collecting.

 

[beth1004]

5 hens to one rooster is fine. How old are the birds.

1-2 years old. The rooster and 2 of the hens are new to me. I’ve hatched my original Ameraucana eggs before with a broody.

 

[Pensmaster]

1-2 years old. The rooster and 2 of the hens are new to me. I’ve hatched my original Ameraucana eggs before with a broody.

Age shouldn't be a problem then. Rooster new to other hens might be. But I wouldn’t think so.

 

[muddy75]

i have external pips!!

 

[ronott1]

i have external pips!!

 

[CluckNDoodle]

 

[Jules929]

View attachment 2076714

An assortment of Easter Eggers! Lavender, Lemon, Blue, Pumpkin, Rose and Emerald?

 

[ronott1]

View attachment 2076714

Nice and colorful hatch!