California - Northern

[Ali707]

The Texas Hill Country is slightly northwest of San Antonio and Austin. Fredericksburg was always my favorite! A little far from the Houston area....but nice to visit!

And I remember the big hair days! Sometimes, I actually miss shoulder pads!

We just saw the movie Working Girl on cable the other day! Such big hair! I shutter to think of all the hairstyles we used!

I actually had Working Girl typed in but took it out because I didn't think anyone would remember it!

A few snapshots from today's beautiful weather!

Okay this was last night's fire pit... close enough.

Love this one.... How are your eyebrows? did you get close enough to singe them off?

 

[Audio51]

Quote:
I am not sure if I will keep any. I got them with the intent to use them for meat birds, so trying not to get too attached.... They are quite a variety of colors though and ones I have not had before. 2 more Marans crosses hatched out overnight and one of them looks blue. They came from light green eggs laid by EE covered by BCM. I am wondering if this would make them OEs. That spotted one is pretty cute though. The person I got them from was not specific on the colors they came from, but said the one that has brown mixed in the black will likely be a laced one. He has some of the ones that have black base color with coppery lacing around the edges.

 

[debs_flock]

Is a trio optimal then or would something like 4 hens and 1 roo also be good.

A trio gives you the best chance to develop multiple genetic lines, for the least amount of money outlay (and space). Four hens would be even better.

If I have a breeding coop, I try to keep one roo to around five or six girls. Then just keep breeding and culling to your best. Don't be afraid to cull your original breeding stock, the point is to improve on them in future generations.

If you want to know the exact genetics of course, you need to set up individual breeding pens or trap nest the hens so you know who laid the egg.

 

[caychris]

A trio gives you the best chance to develop multiple genetic lines, for the least amount of money outlay (and space). Four hens would be even better.

If I have a breeding coop, I try to keep one roo to around five or six girls. Then just keep breeding and culling to your best. Don't be afraid to cull your original breeding stock, the point is to improve on them in future generations.

If you want to know the exact genetics of course, you need to set up individual breeding pens or trap nest the hens so you know who laid the egg.

Was just reading last night about how after fertilization the development can be put into suspension for a period of time by lowering the temp. Is this what you guys mean by setting eggs for incubation and predicting hatch dates?

Very interesting stuff.

The Chicken Health for dummies book is very interesting.

 

[Audio51]

Quote:
I will post pictures as they grow. I have them out under a broody FBCM right now. She is doing great with them so far. I had some fostered Marans eggs under her that are due on Friday, but moved them in to an incubatoer. They are for someone else anyway so that will work out great to have her raise the ones I am keeping.....

 

[Nikon]

I actually had Working Girl typed in but took it out because I didn't think anyone would remember it!

Love this one.... How are your eyebrows? did you get close enough to singe them off?

Thanks for the comments everyone!

LOL, my eyebrows are intact, maybe I should have burned some off so I won't need to pluck them

 

[Janeothejungle]

So I found a chick in a vacant lot this morning while I was working..... Actually I found 7. Four were already dead, one expired on the car ride home, and the 2 survivors are finally starting to show some signs of interest in their surroundings after being subjected to warm towels and electrolytes. They are much tinier than the girls in my brooder so I'm a bit nervous to toss them in, but I also only have one brooder and a 15hr work day tomorrow. Ideas? Anyone guess what breed they are?

 

[alibra]

I just love my blue jubilee pullet!

 

[SilkiesForEver]

So I found a chick in a vacant lot this morning while I was working..... Actually I found 7. Four were already dead, one expired on the car ride home, and the 2 survivors are finally starting to show some signs of interest in their surroundings after being subjected to warm towels and electrolytes. They are much tinier than the girls in my brooder so I'm a bit nervous to toss them in, but I also only have one brooder and a 15hr work day tomorrow. Ideas? Anyone guess what breed they are?

That one looks like a Barred Plymouth Rock to me. How crazy that you found them in a vacant lot!

 

[Audio51]

I just love my blue jubilee pullet!

Very pretty.. (both of you!)

Quote: Can you divide the brooder? Maybe with wire so they can share the warmth?

Edited to add: Or can you make one of the heating pad brooders in a plastic bin?