It's serama blues. I had two serama hens brooding 5 and 7 eggs; 12 total. Candling today showed that 6 quit and 6 are fine. I could see no reason for the 6 quitting either. Possibly 7 eggs was just too many, but the same hen had seven last time and hatched all seven. Serama blues-it just happens... and the smaller the serama the more often it seems to happen. Serama eggs are just touchy when compared to other breeds.Im so hoping my Jasper is as good a daddy. He's been given the boot to the bottom half of the coop for a few days so mom can bond and chick can it can start walking better.
I eggtospied the quitters today. All 4 were completely formed with no apparent deformities. I have no clue what happened.
I dont know how yours cover so many. All i can get Phoenix to cover seems to be 3. I tried 4 but everytime I checked on her there was one poking out the front, or behind the rear, practically not covered at all and cool.
Seven is too many. I just lucked out with the all the prior eggs hatching. A lot has to do with what they have for a nest. I've seen many pictures of hens brooding in sawdust/wood shavings nests. A poor nest material as it does not hold the right shape (way too loose a material). A nest needs to be like the shape of a cereal bowl; a shape that holds the eggs together and in place. I use fine straw and pine needles with the serama and still periodically check and reinforce nests that have become misshapen. A hen can do just so much when it comes to keeping the eggs under her and if the nest isn't right the hatch is often less than what it could be. How big is your Phoenix? My hens are between 8 and 13 ounces.
Have you considered introducing new blood to increase the tribbles' vitality? Many people have serama reminiscent of tribbles. This is something I did with my Phoenix. Where, before, eggs didn't hatch and chicks were weak and frail, now after 4 generations fertility is high and the chicks vigorous and strong; so strong that my hens hatched chicks all winter and raised them outside. It was very humorous to watch the little chicks run and catch snowflakes. I guess they thought they were flying insects-so funny!
