I'm going broody too! :) Candling update post 57 on pg 6

[Buster]

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[Buster]

Jody! Here are some pics of the oldest SS/Black Orp chick I have. I have some that are younger but they are mixed in with the white orp crosses and I can't tell them apart until they are this age.

I don't know how well you can see it in the pics, but there are little speckles around the shoulder area and some of the feathers that are starting to develop around the breast area look a lot like the pics Julie posted of the bama-style birds she was raising with the white spots at the tips of the feathers- similar to a SS, just a fraction of the amount at this point. I'll get you more pics as all of these chicks start to feather out more.

 

[hinkjc]

Very cool Jared! I think I do see the little speckling on them. Thanks so much for sharing the pics. Looking good.

 

[Buster]

Is that one looking roo-ish to you Jody? It is about 4 weeks old.

 

[hinkjc]

It's hard to say with the pics. Is his comb pink? It doesn't look like it, so I would say no..doesn't look rooish to me. My boys are pretty pink by 4 weeks and a bit taller comb too.

 

[Buster]

No- the comb is still yellow. I have about 8 more chicks coming up soon that are either black/white crosses or black/ss crosses. Some are easy because I'm still getting that barring gene from the black/whites.

The others take longer because the black/whites that are visually black stay that way and apparently the black/ss crosses get speckling in them. I don't have a use for the black/whites that are visually black now so I plan on selling them when I can tell them apart. What I really need is a bunch more chicks just like the one in the pics I just posted, and a cockerel with barring on him (for the other project). I have one now that is 4 months old but I still can't decide if it's a cockerel or pullet. I'll have to get some pics of that one up too.

 

[hinkjc]

Oh dear...first candling results are in!

24 out of 26 Mr. Speckles eggs are fertile and looking great!

Only about half of the bantam eggs are doing well, but I'm ok with that and have a second batch set hoping for improvement on the next run.

I am just thrilled that Mr. Speckles is doing his job.

 

[MissPrissy]

I can't wait to see those chicks, Jody!

 

[hinkjc]

me too..me too!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Yeah for Mr. Speckles!!!!