EDUCATIONAL INCUBATION & HATCHING CHAT THREAD, w/ Sally Sunshine Shipped Eggs

[LarryTX]

I have a fertility question and would love some advice. I have three young American Game Bantam hens. They started laying within a week of each other and have been with a rooster for a month before they started laying. They all then started sitting about the same time. Then, hatching time became overdue so I candled the eggs. None of the eggs were furtile. I used the same rooster last Spring and had no problems. I don't know the age of the rooster. The man I bought him from is deceased and I can't check on the age. I have a hard time believing 3 young hens would all be infertile. I wonder if pullets have to lay a certain amount of eggs before laying viable eggs, or if the rooster is not getting the job done. Please help.

 

[kajira]

I have a fertility question and would love some advice. I have three young American Game Bantam hens. They started laying within a week of each other and have been with a rooster for a month before they started laying. They all then started sitting about the same time. Then, hatching time became overdue so I candled the eggs. None of the eggs were furtile. I used the same rooster last Spring and had no problems. I don't know the age of the rooster. The man I bought him from is deceased and I can't check on the age. I have a hard time believing 3 young hens would all be infertile. I wonder if pullets have to lay a certain amount of eggs before laying viable eggs, or if the rooster is not getting the job done. Please help.

My guess, is your rooster's not getting his job done. Older roosters are less likely to get the job done. six months to about 3 is their prime.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/i-eat-chicken.1203190/

 

[LarryTX]

Thanks. I have another rooster to put with the young hens. I know the rooster is over 3 because I've had him for 3 years myself.

 

[BullChick]

Do you lock down at the end of day 17 or 18 for full sized chicken eggs.

Either works. 18 is typical.
Welcome to the thread!

I have a fertility question and would love some advice. I have three young American Game Bantam hens. They started laying within a week of each other and have been with a rooster for a month before they started laying. They all then started sitting about the same time. Then, hatching time became overdue so I candled the eggs. None of the eggs were furtile. I used the same rooster last Spring and had no problems. I don't know the age of the rooster. The man I bought him from is deceased and I can't check on the age. I have a hard time believing 3 young hens would all be infertile. I wonder if pullets have to lay a certain amount of eggs before laying viable eggs, or if the rooster is not getting the job done. Please help.

It could be the season. Fertility goes down in the fall.

 

[BantyChooks]

Has anyone else noticed that their mutts take ages to molt? All of mine (~5) seem to drop about 1 feather at a time. All my purebreds have been done for about a month, and the mutts are in the middle still.

 

[dan26552]

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Ok..now that just be freaky. View attachment 1159107

 

[duluthralphie]

Has anyone else noticed that their mutts take ages to molt? All of mine (~5) seem to drop about 1 feather at a time. All my purebreds have been done for about a month, and the mutts are in the middle still.

Not just Mutts this year. I have some birds that will have to stay home when the rest go to the show the end of the month... I paid for a motel room for them already too...BUT if you're not pretty, You will stay home...They know the rules!

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Yep, that'll work, too, maybe. There are guys with a phone ap that alerts them whenever anything's listed for free. I moved half a dozen old aquariums that way.

It's crazy how the phone rings so fast after placing a free/come and get it. ad.
The childrens toys I spread out evenly to multi people. I wanted needy families with kids to have them.. not one person selling them at a flea market. A projected light disco dance game thingy whet to a young lady with a cute little 5y/o daughter.. The child gave me a bear hug thank you squeeze that melted my heart.
met some good people but a few shady ones responded as well.