American Bresse

[Theorrin]

When exactly is/was their hatch day? Yesterday? Today?

started yesterday and is ongoing. 2 more are drying off in the incubator as we speak

 

[BarnyardChaos]

started yesterday and is ongoing. 2 more are drying off in the incubator as we speak

I meant when was your "Day 21"? Or did you count?
Isn't this process fascinating? When a hatch is going on, I can barely tear myself away from the incubator and brooder!

I can't wait to start hatching my own, but they are only 15 weeks old right now.

 

[Theorrin]

I meant when was your "Day 21"? Or did you count?
Isn't this process fascinating? When a hatch is going on, I can barely tear myself away from the incubator and brooder!

I can't wait to start hatching my own, but they are only 15 weeks old right now.

day 21 was yesterday. i even set up a security camera so i can watch the incubator while im at work XD

 

[Theorrin]

currently 17. no pips atm but i usually give it a few days more

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Even if 17 is all you got, that's still a pretty good hatch at 71%. How are they doing?

I've been studying the shape and size of my Bresse chickens, and they ARE different than the mixed Heritage breeds in my flock! One cockerel, for instance, is slowly being integrated into the Heritage flock (he's a backup rooster), so I have good opportunities to study him up close.

For one thing, I've never seen such long and massive drumsticks. They've gotta be at least 6-7 inches long. He could stand in 8-inches of water and not even get his belly wet! When he walks he looks like a stork. His legs are also spaced farther apart than the others - making a wide, broad chest. And he stands so tall - not just the legs, but his whole body is long. When he's roosting, he nearly flattens himself on the roosting bar. Not round and fluffy like my others, but long, wide, and, well ... flat. Hard to describe.

I'll try to get some photos to share. Truly an interesting breed. They are gorgeous.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Holding out for one more

 

[BarnyardChaos]

.....For one thing, I've never seen such long and massive drumsticks. They've gotta be at least 6-7 inches long. He could stand in 8-inches of water and not even get his belly wet! When he walks he looks like a stork. His legs are also spaced farther apart than the others - making a wide, broad chest. And he stands so tall - not just the legs, but his whole body is long. When he's roosting, he nearly flattens himself on the roosting bar. Not round and fluffy like my others, but long, wide, and, well ... flat. Hard to describe.

I'll try to get some photos to share. Truly an interesting breed. They are gorgeous.

Here he is. See what I mean about those long legs and broad breast? He's only 15 weeks old.

 

[Nomadicus]

I have a few pullets just starting to lay. I hope to set some eggs next month if egg size is ok. The Bresse have a comb big enough for catfish bait. I think I've got 8-9 extra cockerels that I will not need and either will breed them to some Delaware girls or maybe sell them at the auction nearby or both. The length of their breast is amazing.

 

[Oob Child]

How many are hatched now?

 

[Theorrin]

looks like only 17 and one could possibly be blind or have some neurological issues. it starts crying if it gets too quiet and sometimes just starts spinning in a circle but seems to eat and drink just fine.