im showing these black rosecombs in 4h and wanted to know quality

[clucking crazy]

well thanks for the info. I want to hatch some eggs but there not firtile and there in the same cage together. so idk why they aint firtile can anybody give some information on what i can do to start getting them to mate

 

[Msbear]

Are you sure they are infertile? How did you check? There is an awesome thread by speckledhen about how to tell... https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=16008

That said, rosecombs are known for their infertility issues. I would put them on a vitamin supplement. You can purchase that for a few dollars at the feed store. And add it to their water... be careful not to add too much. One pouch should last you for years.

Someone else may have some other hints. Maybe even give them more time. The transition may have them messed up.

 

[clucking crazy]

ok thanks but the way i tell is it there is no little white dot in the yoke that is how i was told but i inqubated some of there eggs and i didnt get any to hatch. the other bantam eggs that i had in there hatch so i took it that they where not firtile.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Males with two copies of the rosecomb gene tend to be less fertile than those with only one copy. Females are unaffected. You might want to limit his contact with the hen (any hens), this will allow him to build up his sperm count so that there are enough present when he mates to fertilize her eggs.

 

[worldwidechick]

The best way to get your male more interested is to seperate him from his lady for a while. This will also keep your hen in better condition, feather-wise. The recommended male to female ratio in light breeds is one cock for up to 12 hens (per Gail Damerow) so he may be too busy. I wouldn't worry too much about not winning at the show, it is for fun and your birds are very nice. Lots of people also will have birds from similar breeders. Good luck, I LOVE 4-H~!!

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
there shouldn't be a white dot. There should be a "target."

Did you crack any of the eggs open that you had incubated? Was there anything inside of there?

Separate the male from the hen for awhile. Let him see her, but not be anywhere near her or have a chance to breed her for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, stick her in his cage. If he doesn't do anything...dance around her, crow, then take her back out and wait some more.

 

[aveca]

Condition counts for a lions share of your points. She looks like a pretty nice hen but you didnt say how old. The judges pick these birds right up and look over the comb carefully right down to the toenails.
I have seen lesser quality birds place over far better birds on condition alone. and Im not kidding. Condition gets 10 points. The largest part of your score

Just use the standard for your guide. stick to that. I like to check out champion pics online.

I say just have a great time with them. You learn something every day. thats the fun of it. I would go right out there to the shows.Nothing ventured nothing gained right?

If another hen has a slightly better comb than yours and overll quality she will place higher. If yours has the better, you will place higher.

This breed is one of the most beautiful bantams. Just have a great time showing. You get to meet other rosecomb enthusiasts .

One of the birds I show looks like an old turkey buzzard next to these fantastic birds.. (my husbands australorrps hens)
iI have sebrights too .
I used to pick on my husbands lorps and call his large hen the turkey buzzard,

He set me straight one day ..
He told me The point of the australorps are eggs, and meat. If we had to eat your bantam sebright eggs we would all starve to death..............OUCH. but true.

He also said He wasnt sure he could eat an egg out of a chicken(sebright- my flock) that had what looks like a halloween wax lip stuck to its head and BLUE feet...Plus you wouldnt get enough meat off them to make one chicken wing.......I never picked on his bird again..

This is a multi champion black RC hen in very good condition. and a close up of her head. I look at these pics a lot to see whos showing what and where.

Just remember, condition .

 

[aveca]

seperate them out of sight for a while, quite a while,. they are at a new home and they need to settle. spring is the natural time for breeding . they might talk about the birds and the bees a bit better then

And rodregus poultry, you have great birds. Im going over to your site for the full tour.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Aw! Thank you aveca!

They're not in condition, but when you only have so much breeding stock...

It's amazing to think that the bird in that photo (gorgeous by the way) STILL isn't in "perfect" condition. Largefowl just can't compete with bantams in condition...no way around it.

 

[Black Feather]

Hey clucking crazy,

I have to agree with everyone's conditioning comments, so I won't beat a dead horse on that one anymore.

As for the actual quality of the birds themselves....I don't think they're too bad at all. The hen looks like she could be just about to start laying, or just finishing up. She lacks red in the face, but her comb is still quite red. I can't tell a lot from the rooster with his head turned away from the camera, but he doesn't look to bad either. From what I can tell from the pictures and not being able to see them in person, I would definitely say these are show quality birds, just not today

Maybe review the way you are housing the birds. Rosecombs from my experience do best with a lot of space to roam and exercise, as well as get a lot of natural light....it just seems to make the birds healthier. I do not find that rosecombs do well when cages in cramped quarters at all. I would also review their diet as that may be a contributing factor to them being a bit off. Do you worm them, give them vitamins on occasion? What about fresh foods like greens and fruits? All these things little extra points will add to the condition of your birds over time. Check them for external parasites as well such as mites as that will contribute to a birds poor condition.

Your birds condition may also be contributing to a lack of fertility. If they have parasites, or are not in the best of health then you will not get the same hatchability in your eggs as you would with birds that are in top health.

Cheers,
Urban Coyote