Dominique Thread!

[wsmith]

When do Doms start to lay on average? Ours are 20 weeks old and one only weighs 2.65 pounds while the other one (Sunny) weighs 3.45 lb, and all of the sexlinks weigh about 4.35 pounds.

Mine average 20 weeks when they start to lay. Some have started a little earlier, some a little later. Dom pullets will be slightly smaller on average than most large egg laying breeds, as Doms are a dual purpose breed.

 

[wsmith]

First hatch of the 2014 season. 10 chicks. Pen 3 had a 36% hatch rate, pen 4 had a 35 % hatch rate.

 

[Alaskan]

First hatch of the 2014 season. 10 chicks. Pen 3 had a 36% hatch rate, pen 4 had a 35 % hatch rate.

Because of the freezing cold? Another breeder was complaining that his fertility was super low because of the cold.

 

[wsmith]

Because of the freezing cold? Another breeder was complaining that his fertility was super low because of the cold.

I suspect that has something to do with it. Overnight lows for that collection week we in the mid 20s, high temps were High 30s.

This collection the highs were averaging in the upper 40s, and lows have been averaging high 20s - low 30s. It was also right after we confirmed that we had fertility. with the first batch we had 88% viability, or eggs that started devloping.

I keep records of everything, so we should have a good idea as to whether it was temperatures or inexperienced roosters.... LOL

37 eggs collected so far plus what we get today will go in this afternoon.

 

[chickenlver2013]

My first ever American Domimiques!! I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. I love this breed.

 

[wsmith]

My first ever American Domimiques!! I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. I love this breed.

Very cool!

 

[lazy gardener]

W. Smith: What are the chances that you would post some close ups of your chicks, especially the head spots so we can practice gender id.????

 

[wsmith]

W. Smith:  What are the chances that you would post some close ups of your chicks, especially the head spots so we can practice gender id.????

Sure. Give me a couple of days

 

[wsmith]

Sure. Give me a couple of days

Its not all head spots though. Beak color, leg color and head spots combine to help determine gender

 

[centrarchid]

Its not all head spots though. Beak color, leg color and head spots combine to help determine gender

And sometimes foot size.