Making Lemonade [Selective Culling Project - very long term]

[alwaystj9]

I flip a piece of hog panel upside down in a stretch of fence, chickens can run in and out but adult goats are too big to get in.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

We use the sheep fencing (don't know what its called, but its large wire squares that can be somewhat manipulated) and the smaller birds can squeeze through

 

[U_Stormcrow]

We have an early appearance on hatching - start of day 20. NOT a Brahma mama, chipmunk pattern on the back, looking much less yellow as the feathers dry and fluff out. Another egg has external pip, its either a Comet mama, or offspring of Comet mama, while a third egg is "rockin n rollin", also a Comet lineage, based on egg size and color.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Overnight addition -

This one has me at something of a loss. Automatic correction by the cell phone camera has altered the colors some, but trust me when I say the blue gene appears very pronounced to me. Even the "X" at the top of the skull isn't quite true black, and the rest is distinct grey. That, or the poor thing was born sosmutty its salt and pepper throughout.

To my mind, that means "Pretty Boy" wasn't the father, but I've heard no crowing, and saw no mating behaviors by the other two likely culprits, Phoenix Blue and Big Barred most of a month ago, before these eggs were set.

Time will tell.

External pips in two others. Its officially day 21 for the eggs first set, and day 19 for a couple of them, day 20 for the rest. They should make their respective appearances over the first half of this week.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Hatching count is now 6 (of 9) with one more externally pipped, likely to hatch in the next hours. Mostly black or grey birds this time, not a lot of yellows, only the one chipmunk that I noted. After coffee, maybe I'll check feet for feathers. Remaining two eggs are among the lightest in shell color, and the last to set - so hopefully they will pip this evening.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Nope, just the one. My wife wanted to see what was going on, so I candled the last two - one was completely black inside and had begun (after very careful inspection) to leak thru a pinhole. The one right next to it had a large air sack, but no movement. Broke the shell away there, since there was no veining, and found it dead - late quit, likely due to being next to the contaminated one.

So, 50/50. Terrible hatch.

Will get everything cleaned well, then start a fresh batch as soon as the last chick exits its shell. Then a group photo.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Number 7 is out of the shell - the last, and busy warming/drying next to the heat plate. Number 6, the same, but started a little earlier.

Here they are in the brooder box - tucked the towel back over after the photo to help keep in the heat and speed their warm up.

Seven is the one laying there looking half dead (he/she isn't, just tired -but perking up) at middle right, directly up against the heat plate. 6 is in the darkened corner at upper right. I keep moving it to the middle, next to the plate, it keeps moving itself to that corner...

The older chicks are just starting to peck at crumbs and consider water from a very shallow bowl.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Lost one of the hatchlings overnight. Was born weak, distended belly, walked poorly, when it walked at all - left foot/hip seemed splayed and twisted. My wife made a real effort at ensuring it stayed warm, dry, and was providing enhanced water via eye dropper but we weren't holding out much hope in spite of its improvement yesterday. Was a *small* brahma mama with tuxedo markings, white "gloves" and all. Law of the Farm, Queen Bitch (Mother Nature) has made a selection for me, removing the weak.

Sig adjusted w/ updated flock count. Other birds appear to be doing well, no other current concerns in the brooder box.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Most recent hatching, starting to differentiate a bit, age 5 days (their floor was cleaned yesterday, 5pm. Messy birds, this batch.

Members of the prior two hatches in the grow-out run. (apologies for lighting, its an odd sky this AM)

Old and new(er).
That's a hatchery Dark Brahma, left - age 17 months, molting.
One of my mutts at right, June hatching.

 

[Fallenone05]

Most recent hatching, starting to differentiate a bit, age 5 days (their floor was cleaned yesterday, 5pm. Messy birds, this batch.
View attachment 2832025

Members of the prior two hatches in the grow-out run. (apologies for lighting, its an odd sky this AM)
View attachment 2832035


Old and new(er).
That's a hatchery Dark Brahma, left - age 17 months, molting.
One of my mutts at right, June hatching.
View attachment 2832038

That Brahma mutt is beautiful!!