April 2020 Hatch-A-Long! All are welcome!

[kelseyk]

9 out of 9 hatched from my backyard mix (from my own chickens) eggs! 5 are EE/Buff Orpington cross and the other 4 are Buff Orpington crossed with either Australorp, Barred Rock, RIR, or Buckeye. Moved them to the brooder this morning.

 

[FortCluck]

9 out of 9 hatched from my backyard mix (from my own chickens) eggs! 5 are EE/Buff Orpington cross and the other 4 are Buff Orpington crossed with either Australorp, Barred Rock, RIR, or Buckeye. Moved them to the brooder this morning.View attachment 2115809

That black one needs a friend the same color it looks like the odd man out

 

[kelseyk]

That black one needs a friend the same color it looks like the odd man out

I know right! LOL! I was thinking that I would at least have another darker colored chick (the black one was first to hatch)....guess not! Would be interesting to know what colors they grow into, but I am planning on selling these 9. I am sure colors will change, but at the moment you would think the Buff Orpington Roo has some pretty dominate color genes where 8 of the 9 are yellow (Out of all darker hens except 1 which is white/gold). I remember my EE chicks being a lot darker with chipmunk stripes when I bought them.

 

[FortCluck]

I know right! LOL! I was thinking that I would at least have another darker colored chick (the black one was first to hatch)....guess not! Would be interesting to know what colors they grow into, but I am planning on selling these 9. I am sure colors will change, but at the moment you would think the Buff Orpington Roo has some pretty dominate color genes where 8 of the 9 are yellow (Out of all darker hens except 1 which is white/gold). I remember my EE chicks being a lot darker with chipmunk stripes when I bought them.

My olive eggers were chipmunk striped. Sometimes genetics does not make any sense to me.

 

[kelseyk]

My olive eggers were chipmunk striped. Sometimes genetics does not make any sense to me.

I am still relatively new to poultry (only my 4th year having them) and have not got into breeding any or the genetics part of it all. But I have read a lot on genetics here on BYC and it sounds very complicated. LOL! I am much better with cattle genetics. I am sure if I study the poultry genetics enough I would start to get it after a while.

 

[abpatchy]

Well, the chicks moved into the coop (their own area) last week. They were my last ones for this year. The incubator is cleaned. Who would have thought how messy it can get. Hubby unscrewed the top so I can vacuum the tiny feathers out. I disinfected the whole thing. I'll be back in January I guess. February latest.
On one hand I am sad... no more little fluff balls. On the other hand I am happy... kinda like when your kid is finally out of diapers. I did hatch 113 chicks this spring. 30 went to a different breeder after a week, the others stayed with me. I have started to thin out which ones I am keeping.
Can't wait until next year... when the chicks I hatched are going to be parents.
See you at the HAL next year

 

[FortCluck]

I am still relatively new to poultry (only my 4th year having them) and have not got into breeding any or the genetics part of it all. But I have read a lot on genetics here on BYC and it sounds very complicated. LOL! I am much better with cattle genetics. I am sure if I study the poultry genetics enough I would start to get it after a while.

I just cross my chickens and hope for the best. I have all purebred for my layers so I always get really nice offspring from them because I cross breeds. I don't do purebred chicks, I prefer barnyard where you can get many different colors.

I try not to get more than one of the same breed for my layers so that I don't get them mixed up. All of my layers have names I can pet them all and pick them all up, they're definitely pet's that lay eggs and make me offspring lol

 

[Anime2lover]

Our newest addition!!

 

[AgnesGray]

I absolutely adore them. It’s so difficult to find quality birds. Especially on the East coast where I am. Last year I got from Quacky Acres. I’m not sure if she’s shipping eggs this year but they’re gorgeous birds. Shipping is a whole scary venture so unfortunately I can’t help by sending some lol.

I love mine too! My first birds came from a local farm and are great, but needed some new "not family" friends. I bought from Darrowby Ducks in Fenton, MI. I'll have a look for Quacky Acres. Thanks!

I grew up in New England... The east coast is rough to get eggs. I have found a lot local though on Craigslist. I do not like shipped eggs. I got quail from am eBay seller and only 4 hatched out of 22 most were clears!

That stinks. When are your Myshire quail due to hatch? Hopefully they will go better.

I really don't like doing the shipped egg thing either at this point. They're the only option for getting some kinds unfortunately as we don'thabe a lot available around herd either.

 

[AgnesGray]

Our newest addition!!View attachment 2115960View attachment 2115964View attachment 2115968View attachment 2115970

So cute!