October Hatch-A-Long 2017

[Poultrybreeder]

I think I'll start by mixing my white Plymouth Rock rooster with my buff-laced Polish hens. Then work on color, size etc. When I said I don't care about color, I meant that I didn't care about the initial mix, then pick my favorite result color, and focus on those. I am hoping for light crests, I keep changing my hopes and expectations as I think about it.

 

[Harmony Fowl]

I think I'll start by mixing my white Plymouth Rock rooster with my buff-laced Polish hens. Then work on color, size etc. When I said I don't care about color, I meant that I didn't care about the initial mix, then pick my favorite result color, and focus on those. I am hoping for light crests, I keep changing my hopes and expectations as I think about it.

I like the muffs on my EE mixes. Really, they do have such a nice shape, kind of plump looking and round with their minimal combs. I’d really like the get that shape with the Dominque coloration my boyfriend loves so much and varied egg colors.

Though I have to admit I have a soft spot for the surprise of any mixed chicks out of the incubator.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

Have you ever done any SoP breeding? Or looked into clan , spiral, breeding programs? I'm wondering how long it would take a breed started from scratch to breed true?

Next year I'm going to be playing with starting my own line of BBS Copper Marans. I currently have 2 splash and 1 blue pullets. Plus whatever Black Copper chicks hatch this week. Hoping for 2 girls and 1-2 nice roosters. I'll need to buy more eggs or buy started birds. Then choose 3 small breeding groups and go from there.

 

[Harmony Fowl]

I like the muffs on my EE mixes. Really, they do have such a nice shape, kind of plump looking and round with their minimal combs. I’d really like the get that shape with the Dominque coloration my boyfriend loves so much and varied egg colors.

Though I have to admit I have a soft spot for the surprise of any mixed chicks out of the incubator.

And adding on to this last part about the joys of surprise genetics, I think a lot of people enjoy a varied flock. They don’t necessarily have to be purebred, just pretty, possibly good layers. From a point of view of selling to that kind of buyer (which is my point of view), I think the rainbow flock of mutts is the bigger project for me.

Though the pet project of my own breed would be really, really fun someday when all the other chickens make me a millionaire, lol.

 

[Peep_Show]

My local egg supplier has given me mystery eggs. They are large dark brown, but not Welsummer. Either Delaware or Australorp hen (she's not sure which laid them.) The roo is a Welsummer. Hoping for a hen that will lay copious amounts of large darker eggs.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

I just weighed the eggs for the final time. Average weight loss of 12.74%! For those not familiar with weighing egg's the ideal weight loss is 12-14% at lockdown. The Marans eggs average was 11.78%. The bantam are a bit higher at 13.71%. It's tricky doing a mixed hatch since bantam eggs always seem to loose weight faster. They reallt need to be watched closely. So I expected this.

Also did a quick peek at the air cells.
Doesn't look like I'll have any early hatchers. Which is great (means my temp is spot on) and they should all make it to day 20-21. I won't check them again. I mean it this time....

 

[Stuckinlove]

I just weighed the eggs for the final time. Average weight loss of 12.74%! For those not familiar with weighing egg's the ideal weight loss is 12-14% at lockdown. The Marans eggs average was 11.78%. The bantam are a bit higher at 13.71%. It's tricky doing a mixed hatch since bantam eggs always seem to loose weight faster. They reallt need to be watched closely. So I expected this.

Also did a quick peek at the air cells.
Doesn't look like I'll have any early hatchers. Which is great (means my temp is spot on) and they should all make it to day 20-21. I won't check them again. I mean it this time....

Woohoo!! Sounds like they are doing great!!

 

[Stuckinlove]

I candled my 12 assorted barnyard mixes last night (day 6) and they all have little blobs moving and wiggling around inside! So exciting to see the little ones moving around so much! Here are a few pictures

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

I candled my 12 assorted barnyard mixes last night (day 6).

Looking very strong!

 

[Poultrybreeder]

I am predicting that it will take about 10 years for them to breed completely true once the project starts. Getting them accepted by the APA will be the hard part though.