- Oct 9, 2010
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I'm so excited, as these were my first "show quality" pullets (essentially, they were cage-raised and had never seen the grass until I let them free range) I bought from a very, very expensive breeder who incubates. They were almost always the "dumbest" birds in the flock, didn't know how to escape from predators and absolutely blind. He told me the broodiness was essentially gone, so I was pleasantly surprised when they both "pancaked", only about 2 hours apart. I only gave them 9 in total, so am shocked/elated to present the newest additions to the family:
(I will add more chicks if these hatch!)
So far, out of 13 eggs, we had to chuck 4 out because they weren't fertile. Five have hatched, on day 20 (today) and we have 4 partridges and 1 black. And by partridge and black, I really mean partridge x white and black x white. But it turns out we have recesisve white so all the colors are perfect!
It seems the chicks could have hatched any time between maybe 2:00PM and 4:00PM, also about the time the temps reached 40 degrees, so after waking up from a dead sleep as the result of too much feeding the hens (
) I went out to cover the hens (they are in full sun if I don't) and discovered the babies!
They were thirsty already, and fell asleep right out of their mommas due to the heat. It looks like I've got TWO sharing parents, as they both take turns at covering the babies. I'm so happy right now, you can't imagine. The whole week has been hectic and finally something GREAT has happened!
Here are some pics:
The bestest news ever: the heatwave is breaking!! And now, I can't blame myself for stocking up heavily on canned goods, as the prices of EVERYTHING are skyrocketing!
Anyway, it's too late for the chinese new year's hatch (didn't expect the broodies to set- I'd already put their eggs in the 'fridge!), though since I didn't mention it earlier...happy Chinese New Year to y'all as well!
Looks like the little white babies are going to be sold now...
So far, out of 13 eggs, we had to chuck 4 out because they weren't fertile. Five have hatched, on day 20 (today) and we have 4 partridges and 1 black. And by partridge and black, I really mean partridge x white and black x white. But it turns out we have recesisve white so all the colors are perfect!
It seems the chicks could have hatched any time between maybe 2:00PM and 4:00PM, also about the time the temps reached 40 degrees, so after waking up from a dead sleep as the result of too much feeding the hens (
They were thirsty already, and fell asleep right out of their mommas due to the heat. It looks like I've got TWO sharing parents, as they both take turns at covering the babies. I'm so happy right now, you can't imagine. The whole week has been hectic and finally something GREAT has happened!
Here are some pics:
The bestest news ever: the heatwave is breaking!! And now, I can't blame myself for stocking up heavily on canned goods, as the prices of EVERYTHING are skyrocketing!
Looks like the little white babies are going to be sold now...
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