Dominique Thread!

[wsmith]

Maybe someone could hold each one and you can add a top shot to those already shared... unless you don't know which one is which.

LOL. Not any more. I don't mark or band them until they get a little larger. Its easy to tell which batch they came from due to age.

 

[lazy gardener]

Was your dtr thinking that #7 was a pullet? Thank you so very much for posting these pictures. I'll be picking up my 4 pullet chicks in early April, and don't want to get taken for a (rooster) ride again!

 

[wsmith]

Was your dtr thinking that #7 was a pullet?  Thank you so very much for posting these pictures.  I'll be picking up my 4 pullet chicks in early April, and don't want to get taken for a (rooster) ride again!

Yes. Its legs are darker, but the head spot isn't really defined, and compared to the others, the overall coloring is lighter.

Remember that each "line" is different, and in some its easier to tell than in others. Hatchery chicks are usually pretty easy. But as your line improves through breeding, and you work on the color, clearing up the beaks, etc, there are subtle changes in how the chicks look at hatch, and mistakes can still be made. This year the chicks' beak color is much cleared with out as much staining as in the past for me. Even the pullets are lighter.

 

[Alaskan]

Was your dtr thinking that #7 was a pullet?  Thank you so very much for posting these pictures.  I'll be picking up my 4 pullet chicks in early April, and don't want to get taken for a (rooster) ride again!

Yes. Its legs are darker, but the head spot isn't really defined, and compared to the others, the overall coloring is lighter.

Remember that each "line" is different, and in some its easier to tell than in others. Hatchery chicks are usually pretty easy. But as your line improves through breeding, and you work on the color, clearing up the beaks, etc, there are subtle changes in how the chicks look at hatch, and mistakes can still be made. This year the chicks' beak color is much cleared with out as much staining as in the past for me. Even the pullets are lighter.

Why do you think that is the case?

What are you selecting for that causes clearer beaks?

 

[wsmith]

Why do you think that is the case?

What are you selecting for that causes clearer beaks?

With the clearer beaks come better yellow color on the legs, and better yellow skin color.

 

[Alaskan]

Why do you think that is the case?

What are you selecting for that causes clearer beaks?

With the clearer beaks come better yellow color on the legs, and better yellow skin color.

When grown is their overall color lighter?

 

[wsmith]

When grown is their overall color lighter?

That too. Most hatchery birds are (in my opinion) a little too dark, and look a little smutty.

 

[FarmerJohn3285]

I agree with you Wendell. From what I've seen, most hatchery stock are dark, esp on the hens as they are really muddy looking.

 

[DraigAthar]

We're in the middle of our first hatch of the year right now, and we had a little fun with chick photos today.

 

[Julic]

Okay that is the cutest picture ever!!!!