Fertilizing Eggs

[Ted Brown]

Update

On Friday last and after 30 days isolation I introduced W2 to the ladies, just crash bang. Almost all took a run at the boy, sometimes 3 at once. He came from a free range flock that had 8 other, purported, Chantecler cockerels; he clearly showed that background and quickly dominated.

I have observed the flock with him for maybe a couple of hours, he is minding his manners as he explores his new environment. Yesterday he took the dirtiest dust bath I have seen and a couple of hens took turns grooming as he threw arcs of dirt over himself.

 

[3KillerBs]

That's wonderful news!

 

[Mrs. K]

Ahh this will be good.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

So happy you were able to rebuild that Chantecler line.
Good luck.
LofMc

 

[JohnTheChickenMan]

Update

On Friday last and after 30 days isolation I introduced W2 to the ladies, just crash bang. Almost all took a run at the boy, sometimes 3 at once. He came from a free range flock that had 8 other, purported, Chantecler cockerels; he clearly showed that background and quickly dominated.

I have observed the flock with him for maybe a couple of hours, he is minding his manners as he explores his new environment. Yesterday he took the dirtiest dust bath I have seen and a couple of hens took turns grooming as he threw arcs of dirt over himself.

View attachment 3145590

What is that concrete looking thing in the pen? I zoomed in on the pic... is it a cut off tree...

 

[aart]

What is that concrete looking thing in the pen?

Looks like a muddy section of tree with branches cut close?

Hey, @Ted Brown , didn't you have some eggs in the incubator from the first cock?

 

[JohnTheChickenMan]

Reason i asked it looked odd, but my first thought was "what is that! Some secret poultry gadget i hadn't thought of"

 

[Tonyroo]

Looks like a tree core with cutoff branches.

 

[Liz Birdlover]

Reason i asked it looked odd, but my first thought was "what is that! Some secret poultry gadget i hadn't thought of"

Ditto that, always looking for cool ideas for the flock

 

[Ted Brown]

Looks like a muddy section of tree with branches cut close?

Hey, @Ted Brown , didn't you have some eggs in the incubator from the first cock?

Folks above are correct a tree stump with cutoff branches. It is not/never has been used by any of my birds. Will remove it.

None of the eggs developed. Either Wilfred was not fertile or (my suspicion) he was not assertive in his coverage. I am watching W2 for similar traits and see signs. Mary (@Folly's place ) has questioned if Chanteclers have fertility challenges in one or more of her threads/comments.