Feathers coming in!

[RosieR]

Almost feathered out, just the eyes and under the wings to go, and thanks to the forums here I know what to call their pretty colors. They'll be four weeks old this Tuesday. I've had such fun watching them grow up, it's a shame I won't be hatching any more out until next year.View attachment 1434281 View attachment 1434283 View attachment 1434285 View attachment 1434288 View attachment 1434289 View attachment 1434290

Pretty colours!

 

[Erkenstein]

I've had such fun watching them grow up, it's a shame I won't be hatching any more out until next year.

We'll see about that! You'll get all kinds of surprises if you hatch out eggs from your mixed flock. It's soooo easy. I see some room in your yard for additional pens...

 

[le_bwah]

We'll see about that! You'll get all kinds of surprises if you hatch out eggs from your mixed flock. It's soooo easy. I see some room in your yard for additional pens...

It is surprisingly easy to hath; takes no time at all! That's the danger, though. I've been staving off the "quail math", but it's getting harder and harder to resist adding to the flock. Especially considering I'll have to cull a few boys at some point.

 

[RosieR]

I’ve got mixed colour eggs set right now and I’m so excited to see what colours hatch out. I hope they are as pretty as yours!
I’ll probably be hatching all summer to up my hens and get some Roos for the bbq.
Culling is not so hard when you get going, and it means room for new hatches

 

[Erkenstein]

Yes culling is pretty easy fortunately. I just put my mind on automatic when I do it.

It isn't good for anyone's quality of life if there are too many males around.

You also might be able to sell some of your extras if you hatch more, although people don't tend to want males so you end up in the same spot.

 

[le_bwah]

I’ve got mixed colour eggs set right now and I’m so excited to see what colours hatch out. I hope they are as pretty as yours!
I’ll probably be hatching all summer to up my hens and get some Roos for the bbq.
Culling is not so hard when you get going, and it means room for new hatches

Glad to hear it gets easier. And heck, I'm excited to see what hatches for you. I hope this batch goes smoothly.

Yes culling is pretty easy fortunately. I just put my mind on automatic when I do it.

It isn't good for anyone's quality of life if there are too many males around.

You also might be able to sell some of your extras if you hatch more, although people don't tend to want males so you end up in the same spot.

After I cull the first, I hope I can "autopilot" the rest. Quality of life is what I'm going for, so it's got to be done. If I sell them, I'd see about getting them dressed first (I just wouldn't trust anyone with a live bird unless I can see their set up).