Broody hen stepped off her eggs on day 19!

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Thx--I'd been looking at them for some broody, and think I may order a few this year. Haven't ordered chicks for several years, just bought from the Grange or hatched my own, but this next year there are a few breeds I want (Partridge Rocks, baby!!) that I'll need to order. I'd thought about getting a Cornish roo also, to add some meat to my cockerels, but since I mostly want eggs I don't think I'll go that way. Decisions, decisions!

The Partridge Rocks are pretty, but don't lay nearly as well as the other color varieties, unfortunately. I ended up selling the Partridge and Silver-Penciled Rocks that I had, since pretty is as pretty does. Here's a photo of one from MMM if it helps you make up your mind. I think the Dark Cornish are prettier--it's hard to get across in photos how rich the brown is and how green the lacing on the feathers is.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

An update for everyone--we heard some peeping yesterday, and I opened the incubator today. Six chicks hatched, one pipped and still isn't out of the shell. I guess they got held back a bit when Mama stepped off them for the day. I'm going to post the poor orphaned things on Craigslist, since I really don't want to brood them. A late hatch was OK with me when they were going to live with Mama in the goat barn, but not if I have to take care of them all winter. Plus, I really don't have any place to put them if they're not with a Mama.

Super cute, though. Two already-gorgeous blue EEs in the mix. Anyone in Ohio want to buy 6 chicks?

 

[donrae]

Glad you got some chicks! I'm with you on the brooding, though---so much easier when momma does all the heavy lifting!

 

[Cynthia12]

Ha..and this is why someone suggested..that I get a back up incubator in case my girl that went broody, my very first ever, decided to get off of the eggs. Well, she freaked out when those eggs started to pip. She "literally" flew the coop. She wouldn't come back. I rushed them into the house to hatch. They did. And that was all she wrote. I was hooked..I love incubating eggs!
Glad you got some babies to hatch. ) Wish I could get your blue EE!! Waay to far away. :/ Hope you find some good homes for them.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I found a very nice home for them. A family came and bought them this morning, plus an Ameraucana pair. They seemed like great people, and were thrilled to find chicks this time of year. A happy ending for everyone!