Learning incubating lesson number 1

[they'reHISchickens]

Today is day 14 so tonight I candled. We have 40 in a still air LG-- our first incubating attempt.
I wondered why each of the orpington eggs looked clear. So I broke open today's production (3) and looked VERY closely. I don't think that darn rooster is doing his job! Not only is he nasty-- he's lazy! He was fertile last year so I assumed.
He will be finding a pot tomorrow and that isn't a threat-- it's a promise!

I'm suspecting about a 25% hatch rate our first time out, but we have learned a lot
Lesson #1... double check fertility!

 

[Ms.FuzzyButts]

Sorry.

That just stinks!!

 

[Tala]

Is he the same rooster for the whole flock or do you have separated breeding pens??

I was thinking maybe he just doesn't like the Orpingtons or something. MY particular Buff Orpington ladies don't appreciate rooster attention AND they are low on the todem pole of the whole flock. Those two BO girls will be hanging out in the front yard while the rest of the flock is in the back yard! I wouldn't be surprised if I had a bad fertility rate from them, even though I got 100% hatch from my other hens with the same rooster. (I haven't set any of their eggs yet)

 

[Rammy]

I have one BO female and one Buff Rooster. Poor girl has no feathers on here back at all. She comes and hides by me when I go feed them. If she wants food, she jumps ontop of the feeder I made and gets a few pecks in before the others chase her off. I think the rooster likes her best as she is almost bald on her back. Im thinking of getting one of those covers you can get for them to protect her.

Rammy

 

[they'reHISchickens]

That roo was in a breeding pen with 3 blue orp gals. I set eggs from all of them. My EE roo is doing his job and I see fertilized eggs all the time.
I just got used to using eggs as they were laid and never specifically checked to make sure the orp eggs were fertile. Learning Lesson!