Maine

[Jazor]

Tough act to follow, LG. Way to post some serious chicken related data before I go off on some tangent filled with my audacious ramblings and contemptuous ideas.

With everyone getting all juiced up to incubate eggs and hatch out some chicks, should I be offering up Rockstar Eggs? Two main questions come to mind.

1. Would they even be worth trying to hatch?

2. Does anyone even care?

I don't hold the eggs in any special regard. I also can't guarantee anything would come of them. Might hatch the infamous Rock Star (Barred Rock X Red Star) or it may hatch into some nine-dollar bills. I don't have a clue. Open for discussion. If anyone wants some, I'll give you whatever you'd like to try and hatch.

If not, I'll go sit quietly in the corner until it's my turn to speak.

 

[lazy gardener]

They would make some very nice back yard mutts that would lay some nice eggs. And I bet they'd be better layers than either of the parent birds... though I bet your red stars are pretty stiff competition. Personally, I'm not a purist regarding breed, and there's a lot to be said for hybrid vigor. They'd be worth while to hatch, if only for the excitement of watching the creation of life. Yes, we care. Who doesn't like seeing baby chicks? Can you sell them? IDK... some time, i'll tell you about my Angel fish adventure.

 

[lazy gardener]

They would make some very nice back yard mutts that would lay some nice eggs. And I bet they'd be better layers than either of the parent birds... though I bet your red stars are pretty stiff competition. Personally, I'm not a purist regarding breed, and there's a lot to be said for hybrid vigor. They'd be worth while to hatch, if only for the excitement of watching the creation of life. Yes, we care. Who doesn't like seeing baby chicks? Can you sell them? IDK... some time, i'll tell you about my Angel fish adventure.

 

[Jazor]

They would make some very nice back yard mutts that would lay some nice eggs. And I bet they'd be better layers than either of the parent birds... though I bet your red stars are pretty stiff competition. Personally, I'm not a purist regarding breed, and there's a lot to be said for hybrid vigor. They'd be worth while to hatch, if only for the excitement of watching the creation of life. Yes, we care. Who doesn't like seeing baby chicks? Can you sell them? IDK... some time, i'll tell you about my Angel fish adventure.

I would agree, the Red Stars would be tough to beat in terms of production. They started laying at 17 weeks (IIRC) during a winter that you have all deemed to be one for the books =P

I also was extremely impressed with their personality. Each of my six Red Stars is fine with being picked up, and ok with me reaching under them to grab eggs. Completely docile birds that have always been the first chicks to jump up into my hand from their brooder just to hang out. I would have got 10 Red Star and 6 Barred Rock had I known they'd be this good. Egg eating aside. I can't hold them accountable for all of that habit, seeing as how I didn't have their nest boxes setup on time.

In any case, if anyone wants some Rock Star eggs just let me know. I work in Augusta most the week, and Portland on most Fridays. I can arrange a half dozen for anyone to hatch out if you'd like. May be worth waiting until it's a bit warmer out so the eggs don't have any chance of sitting out in the cold. I don't know much about it.

 

[lazy gardener]

What do you have for a rooster? If you could put a solid (not white and not barred) rooster over a PBR, you could hatch out some of your own sex links.

 

[Jazor]

What do you have for a rooster? If you could put a solid (not white and not barred) rooster over a PBR, you could hatch out some of your own sex links.

I have a big Barred Rock Rooster. I don't know much about chicken genes, so I couldn't really say what the outcome/s would be...but I personally enjoy the idea of "Rock Star" chickens. I guess I'm just that guy though.

 

[mckenney]

Looking for hatching eggs- any kinds, but am particularly interested in americaunas, black copper marans, laced wyandottes, and dominques/ or another barred chicken. Let me know what you have- I live in Palermo, but will travel to Augusta, Waterville, Belfast areas.

 

[Jazor]

Looking for hatching eggs- any kinds, but am particularly interested in americaunas, black copper marans, laced wyandottes, and dominques/ or another barred chicken. Let me know what you have- I live in Palermo, but will travel to Augusta, Waterville, Belfast areas.

I've got Rockstars (Red Star X Barred Rock). How many would you like? Can have them for you in Augusta. No guarantees on hatching or anything, but certainly let us know how it goes.

Next time I crack some open I will verify they are actually being fertilized. I haven't actually looked since I had no intentions of hatching. I know the Barred Rock roo is mating the Red Stars so we'll see.

 

[Widget]

I have chicks due to arrive on March 28th.

Only eight but that is more than enough for now. Hardest part will be having to go to TSC to get dog food next weekend and ignoring any peeping that may be going on there.

Hopefully some of the snow and ice that is my yard right now will have started to melt by then so the bantams that are in the basement brooder can finally get booted outside. I will need the brooder by mid April for the chicks not to mention a place for the ducks and turkeys due to arrive at the end of April.

 

[lazy gardener]

So, the shuffle begins!