Brahma maturity

[aart]

Yesterday & today I should have chicks, but no sign, I'm so disappointed. Is it that "Buster" is firing blanks or that he's just not old enough yet, or is it the fact that the girls are different breeds & not Brahmas?

Not @azygous but will try to answer.
Breed doesn't matter, if the girls will let him mount and he can hit the target.
Sometimes one or both birds are too fluffy butted for the vents to touch effectively enough for fertilization to occur.
Did you candle the eggs after a week or so to see if they were developing?
You can also see on the yolk when breaking eggs to eat if he's getting the job done.
Look for the white dot in the yolk, if it has a ring around it, it's fertile.

 

[azygous]

A year old is very immature for a Brahma rooster. They don't even come near to full growth until age two. I'm sure he's fertile, but technique is also something that needs to mature in order for a rooster to be able to efficiently transfer his sperm. I've watch young cockerels do some pretty hilarious gymnastics trying to mate, coming no where near to hitting the target, only making complete fools of themselves and totally annoying the hens.

 

[lulubell15]

Not @azygous but will try to answer.
Breed doesn't matter, if the girls will let him mount and he can hit the target.
Sometimes one or both birds are too fluffy butted for the vents to touch effectively enough for fertilization to occur.
Did you candle the eggs after a week or so to see if they were developing?
You can also see on the yolk when breaking eggs to eat if he's getting the job done.
Look for the white dot in the yolk, if it has a ring around it, it's fertile.
View attachment 2188387

Thanks aart,
No I didn't candle the eggs, it's always been a nice surprise when chicks hatch. For the past few years I have bought fertilised eggs because I didn't have a rooster, so I have always expected something to hatch, & had quite a good success rate.
This yr I have Buster who is one of last yrs chicks & as he's been doing what a rooster does I assumed I (he) would get results.
As I happens, about half hour after I post my concerns, I checked on mum & she had broken one of the eggs. Inside was a chick, but not quite fully developed. Mum has broken 3 eggs in total now, 1st just after starting ( had very brittle shell) 2nd about a week ago (just yolk) & the one today.
The fact that the egg today had a chick inside at least answers one question... he will be a dad at some stage.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.