June Hatch-A-Long

[SnapdragonQ]

Interesting tidbit on my eggs.
I used 6 hens for the fertile eggs and I was able to know and mark which eggs were from which hens.
As I candled last night, have been checking the beginnings of draw downs through the clear bator sides with a flashlight, and watching who the biggest wigglers are...I've been able to confirm the three eggs that seem to be the furthest along are all from the same hen.

They had the biggest air cells both in terms of size and the pencil marked changes on days 7, 14, and 18. I don't know if this is because they are more porous than the others or are developing a little faster, but as I was candling last night and calling out the egg numbers to kiddo, who was taking notes for me, it was like dealing with a litter of newborns because I've gotten to know these eggs and their differences just like every litter has.

...didn't know it was possible to be come attached before they even hatch. Not sure that's healthy either...

 

[FortCluck]

Interesting tidbit on my eggs.
I used 6 hens for the fertile eggs and I was able to know and mark which eggs were from which hens.
As I candled last night, have been checking the beginnings of draw downs through the clear bator sides with a flashlight, and watching who the biggest wigglers are...I've been able to confirm the three eggs that seem to be the furthest along are all from the same hen.

They had the biggest air cells both in terms of size and the pencil marked changes on days 7, 14, and 18. I don't know if this is because they are more porous than the others or are developing a little faster, but as I was candling last night and calling out the egg numbers to kiddo, who was taking notes for me, it was like dealing with a litter of newborns because I've gotten to know these eggs and their differences just like every litter has.

...didn't know it was possible to be come attached before they even hatch. Not sure that's healthy either...

Some of my hens have better odds at great chicks as well. I stay away from the ones that don’t have the great odds or I know aren’t fertile very often.

I have a 5 year old RIR who’s eggs look amazing and they seem to be developing great. We adopted her when her flock had been attacked 3 times by a predator. She loves living with us.

 

[FortCluck]

I truly think I have more Polish Deathlayers developing! I put 6 eggs in because I wanted to check their fertility before I gave one to a customer. You better believe I only gave one because those are like gold to me.

 

[Vantic]

My Millie Fleur is getting hormonal and jumps Chubs and the porcelain. That’s how I know they’re pullets

The new way of sexing chicks, wait until a Cockerel jumps them.

 

[Vantic]

..didn't know it was possible to be come attached before they even hatch. Not sure that's healthy either...

You are making sure they have the best chance to escape the egg. I think that is healthy.

 

[FortCluck]

The new way of sexing chicks, wait until a Cockerel jumps them.

Yup. That’s how I roll here. That’s how I’ve sexed my keepers lately. I wait until one of my cockerels jumps them. If they start fighting I know it’s a cockerel and I don’t want more of those.

I actually have 4 cockerels right now. 2 bantam light brahmas, Millie Fleur, and silver Deathlayer. I’m thinking of making the newest bantam Brahma into a nice meal because I truly don’t want more cockerels. The 3 others get a long great.

We have 3 different flocks going on. The babies that are all pullets there’s no cockerel claiming them yet, there’s 7 of them. My original flock, there’s 8 hens and two roosters. Then the 3 amigos that the Millie Fleur has claimed.

 

[Vantic]

Yup. That’s how I roll here. That’s how I’ve sexed my keepers lately. I wait until one of my cockerels jumps them. If they start fighting I know it’s a cockerel and I don’t want more of those.

I actually have 4 cockerels right now. 2 bantam light brahmas, Millie Fleur, and silver Deathlayer. I’m thinking of making the newest bantam Brahma into a nice meal because I truly don’t want more cockerels. The 3 others get a long great.

We have 3 different flocks going on. The babies that are all pullets there’s no cockerel claiming them yet, there’s 7 of them. My original flock, there’s 8 hens and two roosters. Then the 3 amigos that the Millie Fleur has claimed.

I have two flocks and only one rooster, although the junior flock has Cockerels. The only layers are Barred Rock and Comets with Leeroy the nicest Silver Laced Wynadotte Roo ever. The other flock is White Rocks, Comets and Production Green layers with various "I like you" hatched chicks along for the ride. They are so close to laying, I can taste the omelette.

 

[Elfie4306]

I've got peeping, over a week early. Is there a chance it'll be weak, or not fully formed?

 

[FortCluck]

I have two flocks and only one rooster, although the junior flock has Cockerels. The only layers are Barred Rock and Comets with Leeroy the nicest Silver Laced Wynadotte Roo ever. View attachment 2188534The other flock is White Rocks, Comets and Production Green layers with various "I like you" hatched chicks along for the ride. View attachment 2188535They are so close to laying, I can taste the omelette.

I wish I had land like you!!! Someday Hopefully next year at some point I’ll be on 5+ acres.

My original flock are breeds I wanted to have to cross... Cochins (2), gold laced polish, Delaware, Barred Rock, Red Sex Links, Rhode Island Red, Bantam Brahma... the Roos are the Deathlayer and Bantam light Brahma.

The new pullets are 3 light brahmas and 4 white leghorns

Then a white silkie, porcelain d’uccle, and the Millie Fleur cockerel.

I have another flock but they are in the brooder... Polish Deathlayers (3), buff silkie, Black Copper marans (2), and Easter Eggers (2). I might add two more from what I hatch this month, I just need to see what they look like first.

 

[Trisseh]

I have a porcelain d’uccle and she’s about 20 weeks. I absolutely love her. She hangs out with my Silkie (Chubs) and my Millie Fleur cockerel. All 3 were bought together at TSC with others but I sold the others. My Millie Fleur is getting hormonal and jumps Chubs and the porcelain. That’s how I know they’re pullets

Bahaha I forgot about Chubs! Is she still a massive floof?
I just love them, they’re so pretty. I would’ve got more of them but since we can only order mixed bantams here, I probably would end up with everything I don’t want and nothing that I do anyways. Haha.
oh those boys though. at least he’s their size! Haha