***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[ashtree]

Someone, Kyzmette?, was going to make a shirt regarding the whole auracana/ameraucana/ee thing.

Anyway.... one thing to think about, and sorry, but I do NOT have personal experience here wrt chickens- just second hand word regarding other breeds.. If you want to breed 'pure' then going to a show is a good way to go. However, egg quality (color/production/etc) is not easily observed (with exception of minimum color for Marans) and certainly not displayed with the bird. Often, lines that breed towards show standards, will sacrifice in other areas. For me, I am after the eggs and general eye candy - not show quality features, so I happily go the easy EE route without a care in the world. In the Marans breeds, I want to see what the eggs look like, and have little regard for what the birds themselves actually look like. For others - Barred Rock, silkies, for my purposes - I need to see the adult birds before I get excited. The production and appearance of eggs are a second hand thought.

I am used to pedigrees on purebred animals. So roll my eyes at this thought - but with non pedigreed 'pure' stock, it is common in cattle - and also in poultry, to be able to breed towards pure. So in many 'pure' stock (the percentage might be only 95% - or more or less - depending on definition of 'pure' in the particular) there might be a percentage of something else and a recessive color or whatever can just pop out. Seems to me that there is a very politically incorrect saying about something being in the woodpile? All kinds of 'pure' things - especially manmade breeds -might have something in the woodpile that shows up.

So, before getting wrapped around a drama axle. You should decide what your goals are.

I was so confused by the whole ameraucana thing and really thought the birds I wanted were only ameraucana. I have a thing for big beards and the shape of the birds. Turns out coloring is a big factor-quite a big deal indeed- and I actually liked a color other than the 8 recognized colors. So I was never really looking for ameraucana but very very close easter egger. Make sense? Not saying I'd turn down a blue wheaten ameraucana but I think I got exactly what I was looking for. The chicks I got are direct grandkids to the ameraucanas from the Choctaw lady. I had no idea when everyone was posting about her. Thing is folks on a certain thread (you know the one ) said the parents aren't actually ameraucanas because there was some color leakage. Long story short I could not be happier with my chicks. All are beautiful and healthy and came from a blue egg
I was given a hatchery silkie once, only one I ever had, and while I loved her very much we named her Queen Moonracer. She just looked like she came from the island of misfit silkies I loved her no less, but I am pretty particular about all my chickens abd take time picking out what i want. I can't help it I like egg laying eye candy!

 

[ashtree]

So one of my oldest pullets (7 or so months) just sang the egg song. I excitedly ran out and checked everywhere but no egg. Is this a sign I'll see one soon? I wasn't expecting any until the weather cools down again, is it possible my pullets will start laying in the summer?

 

[SharkmanDan]

I got this egg, with an unusual undulation in the shell. It seems to be fully hardened, and it's not cracked, in that it doesn't give to a firm push, but sure looks cracked. Normal, or not? Maybe the girls need more calcium? They are getting ADM 20% Egg Maker, plus we are feeding the shells back to them, as we use them.
Problem, or not?
This is the first, in close to 100 eggs, to look like this. Only other egg that was in question was a quarter sized fart egg, with no yolk. Different color, likely a different girl.

 

[subhanalah]

So one of my oldest pullets (7 or so months) just sang the egg song. I excitedly ran out and checked everywhere but no egg. Is this a sign I'll see one soon? I wasn't expecting any until the weather cools down again, is it possible my pullets will start laying in the summer?

the summer solstice was the most productive time gpfrom my observations as to chickens laying and coming into lay. I'd say you have a good chance of seeing an egg soon! My first egg came a day after the "practice egg song day".

 

[SharkmanDan]

Guess I should have put up the photos.

It actually looks like it's a cross between #4, #12 & #13.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

So one of my oldest pullets (7 or so months) just sang the egg song. I excitedly ran out and checked everywhere but no egg. Is this a sign I'll see one soon? I wasn't expecting any until the weather cools down again, is it possible my pullets will start laying in the summer?

Just practicing- but I'll bet you get an egg soon at that age!

I got this egg, with an unusual undulation in the shell. It seems to be fully hardened, and it's not cracked, in that it doesn't give to a firm push, but sure looks cracked. Normal, or not? Maybe the girls need more calcium? They are getting ADM 20% Egg Maker, plus we are feeding the shells back to them, as we use them.
Problem, or not?
This is the first, in close to 100 eggs, to look like this. Only other egg that was in question was a quarter sized fart egg, with no yolk. Different color, likely a different girl.

Does it look like one of these?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/common-egg-quality-problems

Sometimes the egg gets cracked in the works but gets healed with another layer of calcium before it gets laid.

One summer I had a hen that consistently laid a "crackle" looking egg- think of the antique crackle finish on furniture- for about 2 weeks in the heat of summer, after speaking with several people I concluded it was caused by the heat. We had 2+ weeks of triple digits, it was a HOT one!

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Guess I should have put up the photos.

Wow, I'll bet the hen got startled or grabbed and the egg cracked while still in her body- then another layer of calcium got laid over it before it came out.

 

[Pokerface]

Quote: LOL about the nipple waterers. Gwyn is apparently determined to convince me as much as you guys!

Here's a cheaper price for nipples. http://www.homefarmideas.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=121

 

[ashtree]

the summer solstice was the most productive time gpfrom my observations as to chickens laying and coming into lay. I'd say you have a good chance of seeing an egg soon! My first egg came a day after the "practice egg song day".

Just practicing- but I'll bet you get an egg soon at that age!

Thanks. Im excited!

 

[subhanalah]

Here's a cheaper price for nipples.  http://www.homefarmideas.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=121

I don't like the vertical nipples. They leak too much. I got the horizontal, they are more expensive, but that was the cheapest price I could find them.