We hatched two of our own eggs for the first time! (well, started with 8 but only 2 hatched). The mother was a black copper maran, and the Roo a Blue Maran. The two chicks came out total opposite. One all black, large comb (they were born in Oct), and 99% positive a big ol' roo. The other...has had some challenges. "It" came out blue, beautiful. But it was the first egg hatched and came out of its shell very quickly, leaving some yolk to be absorbed etc. We did all that we were told with trying to get the chick to soak in more of its yolk before going into the brooder and everything seemed fine. It seemed healthy, ate properly etc. Now, 3 months old, it seems to have had some issues. Not sure if its from the quick hatch or what. But im positive its almost fully blind. Thats been confirmed by the vet as well. We force feed it from a syringe to make sure its getting enough food and water, but it seems to be doing better. It's always been a bit smaller than the other chicks that hatched at the same time, and it has no comb! Im guessing its a hen, but even if so, shouldn't a maran hen still have a comb? Could it be a small roo? Let me know what you think! Im guessing it wont grow a comb, and that could be a defect from its hatch?
