Hector's World: Adventures and Mayhem at Mountain View Poultry (or Sequel to The Evolution of Atlas

[speckledhen]

Still at 5 Brahmas pipped, three BR chicks hatched and a couple others pipped. The first two have darker leg fronts so possible pullets, though they are not completely fluffy yet. The third one is a Hector Jr. No dark wash on the legs at all and already a Hector comb, LOL.

 

[getaclue]

The person getting your BR's is lucky, and off to a better start than most, as far as quality goes.

 

[speckledhen]

looks like 2 pullets and a cockerel. The last is def a male.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I love it when they are still egg shaped.

 

[speckledhen]

The three are sleeping soundly. At least 8 of the 14 Brahmas are pipped and a couple of the BR eggs as well. So, looks like it will be a better hatch than the last one.

 

[speckledhen]

I have 4 BRs and 3 Brahmas in the incubator, a few more Brahmas are pipped, I think one just hatched. I can't see pips in the other 3 BRs, though. I think in an incubator, they get rolled around so much, the poor things get dizzy, unlike under a mama.

 

[speckledhen]

Went to do barn chores, came back to 3 more Brahmas hatched and one zipping. So it will def be a better hatch this time.

 

[speckledhen]

Still in progress. At least two more Brahmas pipped in the bator, but not sure any other BRs will hatch.

 

[Twizzler]

They're so cute and fluffy!

 

[speckledhen]

Final tally is 9 Brahmas and 4 Barred Rocks. No idea why that is. Would have been 10 Brahmas if one had not had a one-off defect, pipped a large hole, but the defect made it impossible to get out of the egg and had to be culled. Never had that happen with my Brahmas, very unexpected, but birth defects can happen. All others hatched seem fine. A perfect hatch would have been 14 Brahmas and 7 Barred Rocks, but overall, it was a better hatch than last time. Broody hens are generally more reliable than incubators, but of course, can't sit on 21 eggs. Here they are tonight. I think the Rocks are 2/2 male/female. Brahmas are anybody's guess, of course.