Cream Legbars

[ChicKat]

I hope to start finally hatching some legbars here in the next few weeks. Between my 2 pairs of legbars, I am getting about an egg a day (they each lay every other day) so I hope to get some eggs saved up to start adding to the flocks

Congratulations!!

 

[ChicKat]

Wondering if BYC members are more likely to hatch pullet eggs, or wait for eggs after the hen's first year?
Has anyone noticed if their chicks are more vigorous, possibly even larger at hatching/maturity if they come from a hen instead of a pullet?
Any thoughts on whether the age of the cockerel/rooster matters?

Such a good question. -- Excellent too, to hear that Flaming Chickens has healthy birds from pullet eggs. When I was reading up on Chickens like crazy last year, I read that for the healthiest and most vigorous chicks to wait until the pullet's eggs reach full size---which is about a month -- right, chicken experts??

Especially for me, in the heatwaves last summer, I wanted to hatch some eggs as 'insurance' against mortality of my birds and their particular genetics. Since being on this board, I have never heard of any Cream Legbars hatching out sickly. Seems like they either hatch or don't hatch, but not that they hatch out as sick chicks, (or weak ones).

 

[normanack]

I haven't found much yet in the scientific literature (just internet so far; haven't been to a research library yet) but did run across this 1962 article abstract:
http://ps.fass.org/content/41/4/1328.abstract

It mentions that poultrymen have found higher mortality in pullet eggs during the first six weeks of lay, particularly those laid during the first week; and that dietary factors such as vitamin levels, protein levels, antibiotic levels and vegetable vs. animal protein didn't alter viability, but calcium level might.

 

[normanack]

Aha. A bit more:

http://ps.fass.org/content/54/4/959.abstract?sid=e16e0f74-69b8-4e04-b628-d97e6094e947

Another, albeit on red-legged partridges:

http://ps.fass.org/content/89/11/2494.abstract?sid=d241fac9-b54e-41a5-8ec9-1a11f6323f92

 

[1muttsfan]

Calcium levels high or low?

FMP, that is great. I hope to have eggs from my pullets in April/May - they hatched out from lovely light blue eggs.

 

[Papa Brooder]

Been meaning to post some pics of my cream legbars as they are really coming into a beautiful look now. It helps that my photographer friend took the photos: credit to zooweemama for the photos:

 

[Flaming Chicken]

Such a good question.  -- Excellent too, to hear that Flaming Chickens has healthy birds from pullet eggs.  When I was reading up on Chickens like crazy last year, I read that for the healthiest and most vigorous chicks to wait until the pullet's eggs reach full size---which is about a month -- right, chicken experts??  

Especially for me, in the heatwaves last summer, I wanted to hatch some eggs as 'insurance' against mortality of my birds and their particular genetics.  Since being on this board, I have never heard of any Cream Legbars hatching out sickly.  Seems like they either hatch or don't hatch, but not that they hatch out as sick chicks, (or weak ones). 

I

I waited at least 6 weeks from when the girls started laying till I incubated eggs. Mainly i wanted to check for fertility. The eggs were slightly bigger from than when they first began laying but now after giving them a break for the winter the eggs are much bigger. I wish that I had a scale. Measuring would have been more helpful.

 

[ChicKat]

I

I waited at least 6 weeks from when the girls started laying till I incubated eggs. Mainly i wanted to check for fertility. The eggs were slightly bigger from than when they first began laying but now after giving them a break for the winter the eggs are much bigger. I wish that I had a scale. Measuring would have been more helpful.

Whoo HOoo--- that gives me another idea for a prize in the Cream Legbar Club prizes -- a scale. Also an Online Auction Color Chart. Thanks for the ideas. -- Brilliant.

The most important thing is healthy chickens! -- I think the book I read said something like 4-6 weeks after POL.

 

[ChicKat]

Been meaning to post some pics of my cream legbars as they are really coming into a beautiful look now. It helps that my photographer friend took the photos: credit to zooweemama for the photos:

Beautiful pictures. Especially the hen in 2 3 and 5 and the rooster in 6 -- They are behaving like photographers models. Hats of to you and zooweemama. Now tell us again the background and ages of your birds...... Thanks for posting.

And the pair in 5. Please submit some of these to the BYC calendar.....for 2014 -- Would love to sit and look at one of these photos for a whole month.

Just have to add, it is interesting how chestnut the saddle feathers are in the first picture rooster and how cream the saddle feathers are in the las picture rooster. Is it the reflection of the light on the feather shine or are they two different roosters?

 

[Papa Brooder]

2 different roosters.