Maine

[LOVEMYCHICKS03]

what meeting?

 

[gracejr]

So, looks like a 12/17 hatch rate this time. I guess not awful for a first hatch, but still disappointing. One egg was never fertile. Tapped on the four remaining today, no pips or peeps. Tapped the shells open and all four had died. One looked like it quit halfway, the other three were almost fully mature. and three of the four looked like they'd have been blue!

Tried feather sexing the chicks last night, if its accurate I've only got three possible boys. One for sure and two maybes. One of those maybes is my feather legged blue chick. I don't know what I'll do if that's the case! I don't think I can eat one that pretty! lol But, at least this gives me an excuse to set more eggs - need more males for freezer camp!

 

[ducklucky]

So sorry about your loss of the babies, but at least you had a fairly good hatch. Think "they" say it's usually about 80% for home brooders, can't remember where I heard that. Always dread opening those dead eggs, just in case I might be murdering one that is taking too long. Always sad

 

[LOVEMYCHICKS03]

awwww post pics when you can

 

[ducklucky]

Yes, that is why everyone slows down, even with years of having chickens I find myself slowing down to look at other flocks and their housing and so forth. The tourists especially love to stop and take pictures, like they've never seen a chicken before (well, most of them haven't except in the meat department!).

 

[gracejr]

awwww post pics when you can

Not sure if you meant me or someone else, but I'm going to use it as an excuse to show off my blue anyway. lol

 

[gracejr]

So sorry about your loss of the babies, but at least you had a fairly good hatch.  Think "they" say it's usually about 80% for home brooders,  can't remember where I heard that.  Always dread opening those dead eggs, just in case I might be murdering one that is taking too long.  Always sad

Thanks. It was sad, especially when I saw the blue feathers, but 12 out of 16 fertile, I can't complain. Especially being my first go at it. But breaking them open, oh, so gross!

 

[gracejr]

How early are you all putting chicks outside right now? My older batch of chicks range from 3.5 to 6.5 weeks old. The 6.5 weaker seems ready, but she's the only one that age. Others are 5 weeks, 4.5 weeks, 4 weeks, and 3.5 weeks. They'd be going right in the coop with everyone else. Think any of them are ready yet? The 3.5 weekers aren't nearly feathered enough, but almost everyone else seems pretty close.

 

[LOVEMYCHICKS03]

Quote:
yeah I was talking about you

are those blue cochins?

 

[thatsjustducky]

Our chicks go outside when they are fully feathered (usually around 6 weeks) as long as the temps are above freezing. Chickens are amazingly hardy if you let them "harden up". They get used to even extreme cold better than most people think.