5th Annual BYC New Year's Day 2014 Hatch-A-Long

[chiqita]

They are NOT recognized by APA. A group of us breeders looked into what it would take to get SFH recognized by APA so they could be shown, it was...problematic. The biggest issue I recall is that APA wanted a base color. Well. There isn't a base color. They are all different. I have black ones, red ones, white ones, etc, and while they all share distinct breed characteristics, feather color is not one of them.

But I have seen people show them in AOV and showmanship classes, where they can do well.

I do not show mine, but my sons were asking if maybe we could select some for show next year. The problem I see is they do NOT like being confined and do much better if they free range, just because they are very active and curious.

I'm planning to start saving eggs for this in 3 days..my plan is to see how my SFH are laying (assuming the incubator doesn't act up and the kids don't take the top off, like they did last time...) and hopefully get some chicks that are ready to lay in May or young roosters to sell.

All land race chickens have that issue with color. You would have to pick a few base colors and do them all at once. Showgirls are having an issue with the bearded/nonbearded. It's hard to tell especially the mutton chop ones.

 

[Gardeningmama]

Do you guys think it's necessary to put a heat pack in with shipped hatching eggs? Anyone have experience with receiving shipped eggs in winter, particular in the northern and colder states or you guys up in canada? I was offered a heat pack with my egg shipment. Not sure if it's necessary or if it's indeed worth it. Mine, in particular, are only being shipped from Ohio to Pennsylvania.

I have to say take the heat pack if it's offered. I received a batch of eggs last year that some had frozen, but I didn't know it. They were set out for a full day to come back up to temperature, I put them in the bator. Shortly after that they one by one started oozing an amber color and had to be tossed. I had them in with other non shipped eggs that could've been ruined, but luckily weren't. I lost about half of the shipment.

Quote: I hatched my Marans eggs # 2, 3, &4. They all hatched without any problem at all so....

Oh oh guess what!!

Baby ducky!!!!





She pipped before bed last night and spent most of today hatching. I had to help her just a bit right at the end. She had zipped all around but the membrane was still hanging on in places and it was like leather. Glad I peeled back the outer membrane for her because some of the inner membrane or something had got wrapped around her head and she was stuck. Sorry the last pics aren't too great quality. She really didn't want to sit still for pictures. She wanted to crawl under my chin and sleep.

One of the others is internally pipped so am hoping it will hatch tomorrow. Sadly I think I've lost the 3rd one.

It was alive and moving yesterday morning. But stopped moving sometime after that and hasn't moved at all since that I have seen. It also developed a small spot that looks like a bruise in the shape of a duck foot.

YAY!!! I love baby ducks!! Makes me more excited for my Calls to start laying in the spring....

I haven't tried hatching ducks yet, this spring will be my first go at it! Congrats!!!

 

[SunnySkies]

All land race chickens have that issue with color. You would have to pick a few base colors and do them all at once. Showgirls are having an issue with the bearded/nonbearded. It's hard to tell especially the mutton chop ones.

We opted to not bother with APA for now.

There are a couple threads around here about SFH, one entitled something like helping the Swedish Flower Hen and one is the big breed thread in the breeds section for those interested in learning more. Can't remember which one was about the issues that arose when inquiries were made into having them recognized for show purposes.

Most of us are breeding our SFH with an eye on maintaining basic show qualities, such as watching for and culling any with split wing, poor wing or tail carriage, side sprigs, incorrect comb shape, etc.

We have a SFH website too. We haven't done a lot with it, but maybe this winter we can get rolling again. http://www.sfhusa.com/page.php?5. Because there is so much variation in what SFH coloring can look like, we created a list of the basic qualities a SFH should have, as it is easy for a newbie to the breed to think they have a SFH when they probably have a cross (it has happened more than once), and that list should be on the website.

 

[ronott1]

This will be my first hatch ever! Please count me in!

I will get you on the list soon!

I figure the happy dancing smiley says I am JOINING!

 

[ronott1]

I have a new egg layer. My Olive Egger pullet has started a secret nest and I found 3 eggs today YAY!!!!!!!!!

Those are amazing eggs!

 

[ronott1]

She pipped before bed last night and spent most of today hatching. I had to help her just a bit right at the end. She had zipped all around but the membrane was still hanging on in places and it was like leather. Glad I peeled back the outer membrane for her because some of the inner membrane or something had got wrapped around her head and she was stuck. Sorry the last pics aren't too great quality. She really didn't want to sit still for pictures. She wanted to crawl under my chin and sleep.

One of the others is internally pipped so am hoping it will hatch tomorrow. Sadly I think I've lost the 3rd one.

It was alive and moving yesterday morning. But stopped moving sometime after that and hasn't moved at all since that I have seen. It also developed a small spot that looks like a bruise in the shape of a duck foot.

Yay for Duckies!

Sorry you lost one.

 

[chicken pickin]

Those are amazing eggs!

Thank You

 

[Avlana]

take the heat pack. its so the eggs dont freeze in these really cold temps were having. its very easy for the eggs to freeze in a very little time. and with the other suggestion about the heat pack incubating the eggs, the chances of that happening are very slim. go for the heat pack!!

I have to say take the heat pack if it's offered. I received a batch of eggs last year that some had frozen, but I didn't know it. They were set out for a full day to come back up to temperature, I put them in the bator. Shortly after that they one by one started oozing an amber color and had to be tossed. I had them in with other non shipped eggs that could've been ruined, but luckily weren't. I lost about half of the shipment.

Thanks for the advice! I'll go with the heat pack. I'm guessing there's more risk with them freezing than the heat pack actually beginning to incubate the eggs.

 

[Whoops]

WooHoo - got confirmation on the marans eggs from the seller. Also, found someone who will sell me CCL eggs when the Marans are out of the 'bater. Really wish I had two 'baters, and could do both!

 

[Avlana]

Congrats on the ducklings Aphrael! I was waiting for pics haha. So cute

Is that a homemade incubator? Love seeing hatches in homemade bators