For the first time in a long time...I have EGGS in the BATOR! I've been pining for it all winter, but managed to adhere to my self-imposed no hatching rule. That is, until FlightsofFancy came along! I had sold her a couple of my babies last year - namely a feather footed Barred Rock (cross, 2nd generation off my Cochin/Silkie roo, Big Red). Sadly, a chicken hawk took her, so she wanted some more FF BRs. First, I tried a first time broody hen with 5 eggs. She broke three, then came off the nest twice. No dice. So, once again, the bator is fired up. I have 7 eggs in there and sure do hope I haven't lost my touch! Everyone...do a FF dance for me! First generation launched some big differences. Speckledhen hatched some, and got all poufy heads. I hatched and got FF on pullets and poufy heads on cockerels. 2nd generation I didn't get any boys and they were all FF.
I knew you'd be back in it before long. Then after this hatch, you won't be able to keep away from that bator for long, I bet. Good luck!
Update: Of the seven eggs I set, only ONE was fertile! FlightsofFancy deemed it the "golden egg". I was worried...I haven't hatched eggs in so long, I felt it impossible odds that I could manage to get one single solitary egg to make it. I've since set 6 more...but that's another post. Today, we have a pip! Hope to be able to post hatching photos soon...
The Golden Egg has hatched! I think it's a pullet, but it's not totally dry yet so I can't tell about the headspot...I'm just going off the leg shading.