March 2023 hatch-a-long

[abpatchy]

Last hatch for March and also this year went into lockdown. I had to take out 3 more eggs and so I am left with 41 Sulmtaler eggs. I am also hatching a bunch of black booted bantams for a friend. I didn't even count the eggs... but there are plenty. LOL

Even thought I did not manage to get my 100 chicks like I usually do, it will be ok. Probably plenty as the first large shows have been cancelled due to bird flu.

I lost 2 Augsburger chicks from my 2nd March hatch to unknown causes. And 4 Augsburger chicks went to their new home already. The first hatch chicks are doing really well and are getting so big. Definitely faster than I am used to. I had to change their marking rings quicker than I am used to.
Even though I did not get as many chicks I am really happy with their development.

 

[MiddleAmerican]

My Dominique’s are hatching! I could end up with as many as 21, when it’s all said and done.

 

[MiddleAmerican]

I also have a broody mama on the nest. These should hatch in a couple of weeks.

 

[3KillerBs]

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My Dominique’s are hatching! I could end up with as many as 21, when it’s all said and done.

Dominiques have lovely personalities.

When I refocused my flock to have only one kind of brown layer the first family come to pick out some birds was homeschooling young kids so I grabbed my Dominique and told them "This is my friendliest hen." She's probably being spoiled rotten by those kids.

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I also have a broody mama on the nest. These should hatch in a couple of weeks.

Is she part of the Easter hatch-a-long?

 

[Waterfaery]

22 went into lockdown and every one of them hatched! 17 La Bresse and 5 Light Sussex. All within 24 hours as well so not too bad.

 

[Poodlemum]

Look at the wee poofen floofens One might be blue, then another mystery brown (no leg feathers), and one egg still not hatched yet. I’ll give it a bit more time before opening it up. It wasn’t internally popped when I pulled everyone out though. 4 feathered legs, two clean legs

 

[MiddleAmerican]

I ended up with 21 chicks out of 22 eggs.

 

[Backyard Divas]

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I ended up with 21 chicks out of 22 eggs.

Can you tell you pullet vs cockerel chicks apart? I saw something where the lady was saying that barred chick females have a more defined head spot and males are lighter and have a longer and more diffused spot. Do you see that with Dominiques?

 

[Canadian Wind]

It's been three weeks since they hatched. Here's some updated pics of them!

As you can see, got a nice variety of colours so far.

Obligatory fluffy butt shot!

Chick on the left has feathers coming in at all angles. Is that frizzle?

Love the pattern on this one! Hopefully, it keeps something similar!

And finally, look at this beauty!!!

 

[MiddleAmerican]

Can you tell you pullet vs cockerel chicks apart? I saw something where the lady was saying that barred chick females have a more defined head spot and males are lighter and have a longer and more diffused spot. Do you see that with Dominiques?

It is possible, yes. I’m not great with the head spot method per se, but I can tell by the shade of their beak and legs. I think that the male and female chicks have a different overall look from each other. Males being lighter in coloration than the females.