Brahma Thread

[Nikkipar]

Two broodies, one box. Just as I was going to move the first one. Arg!

 

[big medicine]

Shouldn't complicate things any. If you are figuring to switch out eggs under this hen, and you are getting enough eggs to do it, I would try to set both hens separately. Then switch eggs under both hens at the same time. Then in a couple weeks, you can go under both hens and candle the eggs, depending how good fertility/brooding has been, you might be able to combine all the good eggs under one hen, and start a second batch under the other.

 

[Nikkipar]

Shouldn't complicate things any. If you are figuring to switch out eggs under this hen, and you are getting enough eggs to do it, I would try to set both hens separately. Then switch eggs under both hens at the same time. Then in a couple weeks, you can go under both hens and candle the eggs, depending how good fertility/brooding has been, you might be able to combine all the good eggs under one hen, and start a second batch under the other.

Good idea! Thanks

 

[Tim63]

Is the comb issue a problem for showing?

Its one of the "finer points". Greg Williams never really gave a hoot about the comb. He considered it a small deduction. I personally want my birds combs right. Its just something you have to work toward. One of the last things you would cull for providing it is a PEA comb. My Buffs have excellent combs while my lights, especially the males, could use some improvement. Type is paramount followd VERY closely by color and feather quality(width of feather). I would not worry too much about the comb until the other qualities are pretty well set. Again,most of this is my opinion...others may well disagree.

Tim

 

[ThePendragon]

Who is Greg Williams?

 

[Petvet12]

Nikkipar, I agree with Big Medicine. That will give you the best results. I always works out well for me. Just no luck this season having broodies in my flock. The weather has been really weird this year and now its a scorcher.

I have a question for everyone. I have always hatched chicks under broody hens, but I just got an incubator and I want to make sure I know how to use it. It's a Hova-Bator.

 

[Nikkipar]

Whzg model is it? If it's the 1588 then really all you need to worry about is the humidity. In the weather over here I have been most successful doing the dry hatch method where I let it fall to 20 percent, or as low as it will go, and then add enough water to bring it up to 40....
I do that all the way to day 18 when I take out the turners and bring it to 55-65.

 

[pgpoultry]

All of my Brahmas have pea combs, but I'm just learning that there are peas and PEAS.

Could the Knowledgeable take a look at these combs and tell me what they think.

Mrs Grey, Dark Brahma




Moregrey, Dark Brahma hen



Twp, Blue Partridge Brahma rooster.



And finally Artemis (Fowl)


Thanks, folks.

 

[Tim63]

Who is Greg Williams?

Greg Williams of Spence/Williams. He developed the Black Brahma Bantam. He and his partner, Chad Spence dominated bantam Brahmas for several years. They won nationals for three years in a row. At at least one national meet they had BB and BV in bantam light, buff, dark and black. He no longer has chickens and Chad only breeds and exhibits Large lights now. Both Texans. I am very fortunate to have had them both as mentors. My birds, at least the Buffs and lights, are basically Spence/Williams line with a little John Neff mixed in. Greg is a walking encyclopedia of Brahmas and genetics.

PG, I think all four look very good, especially for big birds.

 

[pgpoultry]

Thank you,Tim. They do seem to form 3 rows, but I wasn't sure if the 'bobbles' or 'peas' were distinct enough.

They are LF, with Mrs Grey being very heavy. She is off lay at present due to being a bit overweight. The trouble is that she is alpha hen and all the roosters encourage her with food and the other hens won't stand up to her.