Euskal Oiloa ( Basque Thread)

[naturespace]

Here are my chicks at 6 weeks old. Roo has a pink comb and wattles.




Pullet does not have much of a comb at all yet.

 

[cjwaldon]

naturespace - obvious difference in those two! Like my "Blue" is boy through and through, no doubts. I'm undecided on "Green" and "Hobbes". However, if I look at their feet, Green has big roo type feet and Hobbes has dainty pullet type feet. Every couple of days the combs look different again, no noticable wattles on either. Thanks for your opinions. I'll post again in a week or two. It should be getting obvious pretty soon!

 

[mzstre]

I had a total of 20 eggs in the bator (11 EO & 9 BLRW) due to hatch last night through today, but my first EO chick pipped on day 19 and hatched on day 20. Eighteen eggs had hatched by this morning, and I have my fingers crossed for the last 2. I'll try to take some better pics this evening, but here are the first:

 

[naturespace]

mzstre. Congrats!!! that's a great hatch.

I have a theory that i'm trying to figure out with the EO chicks. When the wing feathers start to come in, like tomorrow, are the dark grey ones females and the light grey with white males.
I'll have to get a photo of mine to explain better. Let me know if you keep track.

 

[naturespace]

So I'm thinking the male is in the foreground with the lighter colored wings and background is a female. These guys are too young for me to really know, but that's how my last hatch went. Let me know if any of you notice the same thing. (1 week old)




Female in the background (in focus)

 

[mzstre]

mzstre. Congrats!!! that's a great hatch.
I have a theory that i'm trying to figure out with the EO chicks. When the wing feathers start to come in, like tomorrow, are the dark grey ones females and the light grey with white males.
I'll have to get a photo of mine to explain better. Let me know if you keep track.

That's an interesting theory! I'll try to keep track and compare with you. I see that you've used some type of band- is this for identification and tracking? Where can I get them? I'm not sure what other method I can use to track them. Suggestions?

I don't think the last 2 eggs are going to hatch, but I'm going to leave them in until tomorrow just in case. Day 22 began 30 minutes ago.

 

[SusanC]

Naturespace, I'm not sure I've seen the feathering as pertaining to sex so far, bit from all of the EOs I've hatched its seems the best indicators of sex I've seen early on is by stance and behavior. The chick in the foreground seems to have the serious expression of a roo, while the one in the background looks at you levelly like a hen

 

[ChestnutRidge]

My EO eggs are touring the East Coast, so hopefully they will arrive here eventually. For some reason, USPS has decided to send them from Tennessee to Virginia by way of Pennsylvania.

Ah, well, such is life. They'll get here eventually.


I'm going to stick about 4 under my little Phoenix broody. She's as serious as can be and has plucked out all of her little chest feathers in preparation as she incubates her two wooden eggs. I debated about putting less valuable eggs under her because she is untested, but I don't want to sell her chicks while she is still caring for them, so I had to pick the only breed that I am planning on growing out all of the boys and girls before selling extras. So, EOs it will be.

I can't wait! I am getting more and more excited by the day. (And I seem to keep ordering more sets of hatching eggs!

Today it was Dutch Bantams!)

 

[naturespace]

Exciting Chestnutridge! That's great that you have a broody to help you out with your hatch. I hatched out some orpingtons with hopes of getting a broody for future hatches.

I hope you hatch all females cause I'll have a few extra roos for you to choose from. Hahaha!

 

[naturespace]

That's an interesting theory! I'll try to keep track and compare with you. I see that you've used some type of band- is this for identification and tracking? Where can I get them? I'm not sure what other method I can use to track them. Suggestions?

I got mine on eBay. Someone from the EO forum told me about them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/320365726791#ht_5739wt_1049
I got size 5 and 6. 4 would have been a better size for the new born but I think size 5 is good now. Had one fall off a tiny chick. It was a welsummer not an EO.

I'm only using two bands for my EOs. One has feathers on its legs, one without a band and two with bands. Other owners use zip ties. You need to be careful not to make it too tight or too loose and watch for them to out grow often.  If they are too loose they can get caught on their "elbows". Chicken elbows, of course. The chicks grow fast! I figured when they out grow size 6 I'll start to using zip ties.