Illinois...

[Faraday40]

The eggs next to hers is large to ex large eggs. Hers is the OH MY GOODNESS size or Fluffy size. I will be cracking it tonight for super, I am thinking three yolks. We will see.

Take a pic when you crack it open. (Its weight could also be fun to find out) I've had double yolks and also saw pics of an egg inside of an egg. It will be interesting to see what you have.

 

[STACEYH]

It was just a double yolk.

Her normal exlarge egg and todays FLUFFY egg.

 

[User105877]

Couple years ago I had a red sex link hen. She would lay 4-5 days in a row, skip a day and the that next egg after skipping would ALWAYS be a double yolk. Only hen I had that's continually lay them.

 

[Molpet]

Couple years ago I had a red sex link hen. She would lay 4-5 days in a row, skip a day and the that next egg after skipping would ALWAYS be a double yolk. Only hen I had that's continually lay them.

I kept a CX ... and hatched 3 cockerels and a pullet from her. Of course the pullet laid double yolk eggs, I was wanting to use her for breeding.

 

[BReeder!]

I'm thinking about adding a few "pretty" chickens this Spring.
What's everybody's take on breeds like Appenzeller Spitzhauben, Silkie and Polish?
And is anybody planning on breeding/hatching any of these this Spring and willing to sell or barter for 2 or 3?
I can only keep hens longterm, but am willing to deal with roos myself or give them back if you want.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

What's everybody's take on breeds like Appenzeller Spitzhauben, Silkie and Polish?

I breed Spitzhaubens. Pretty birds. Can be sociable if handled. Like to fly and roost in trees. I think my post in the shaming poultry contest says it all.

Silkies are sweet, lovable and terrifically broody. Their whole goal in life is to be hugged and to be a mom.

Haven't had polish, but who can resist that poof on their heads?

 

[BReeder!]

I breed Spitzhaubens. Pretty birds. Can be sociable if handled. Like to fly and roost in trees. I think my post in the shaming poultry contest says it all.
View attachment 2950689
Silkies are sweet, lovable and terrifically broody. Their whole goal in life is to be hugged and to be a mom.

Haven't had polish, but who can resist that poof on their heads?

Love the pic! If you are going to be hatching in the Spring and willing to part with a few please keep in touch.
I have netting over my run so, I wouldn't have to worry too much. I would not be able to let a Spitz out in the yard it sounds like though. I'm contemplating adding another ~100 sqft of run anyway though in addition to the existing ~280 sqft, which would open it up to ~380 sqft. I have 9 birds right now. The 4 oldest hens are slowing down a bit though and are about to be 4 years old.

A broody silky sounds fun too. I could use a broody to hatch duck eggs since my ducks are no good at hatching and none of my chickens ever go broody for longer than a few days (although the 3 1-yr olds may surprise me yet).

 

[Faraday40]

I'm thinking about adding a few "pretty" chickens this Spring.
What's everybody's take on breeds like Appenzeller Spitzhauben, Silkie and Polish?
And is anybody planning on breeding/hatching any of these this Spring and willing to sell or barter for 2 or 3?
I can only keep hens longterm, but am willing to deal with roos myself or give them back if you want.

Silkie:
Pros: Wonderful pets, kids will love snuggling them, very soft, extraordinarily people-friendly, and all-in-one foolproof incubator, hatcher, brooder
Cons: They look funny, small eggs, they may whine for attention when you're around and not holding them, and they want to repopulate the world with more chickens.

Spitzies:
Pros: Beautiful & unique appearance, can be friendly or slightly skittish depending on time spent with them. Excellent foragers & easy on the feed budget. Roosters are gentle on the hens and alert to predators
Cons: They can fly up into trees. Males like to crow - a lot. Fences don't mean much.

*Note: Our Poof Poof allows us to cuddle and pick her up. She was raised with Orpingtons who cannot fly so she stays in the backyard without any problems.

@homeschoolin momma breeds Spitzies and DS loves to hatch them. While her orps stay in the pasture, her Spitzhauben flock demonstrates the true meaning of free range.

Polish:
We hatched them for someone else. I never owned any because I feared they'd be predator food due to their blocked vision. I believe they have similar pros/cons to the Spitzes

 

[Faraday40]

Love the pic! If you are going to be hatching in the Spring and willing to part with a few please keep in touch.
I have netting over my run so, I wouldn't have to worry too much. I would not be able to let a Spitz out in the yard it sounds like though. I'm contemplating adding another ~100 sqft of run anyway though in addition to the existing ~280 sqft, which would open it up to ~380 sqft. I have 9 birds right now. The 4 oldest hens are slowing down a bit though and are about to be 4 years old.

A broody silky sounds fun too. I could use a broody to hatch duck eggs since my ducks are no good at hatching and none of my chickens ever go broody for longer than a few days (although the 3 1-yr olds may surprise me yet).

Did I mention that my silkie is broody again?
She had a bunch of eggs under her yesterday. I marked them and put 'em back. No sense trying to stop her. She eventually always wins. Her "babies" that hatched in mid Sept are often sitting in the nest with her.

Our Spitz always comes back for treats. Training would be important if you want to let her free range.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

Fences don't mean much.

Lol. They see it as a personal challenge.