Pipd's Peeps!

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

When you breed, do you keep them all or just some for the breeding program?

Honestly, I think all of the creles are boys (6 weeks old).

And, look at the bantam cochin next to a barred rock - again 1 week apart.

This is my first year actually breeding like this, but the plan is to hatch as many as possible and only keep the best. That'll be tough for me, I have a hard time not getting attached, but I want to make sure I'm doing right by these guys as I'm preserving them.

Is that the same bird in both of those pictures of the Creles or two different birds?

And yeah... that's one awfully big Cochin bantam

And also, none of my birds want to stay still for a photo. I don't know how you do it!

A looooot of patience, especially when it comes to birds like Athena who want to run to me when I crouch to take a picture And it helps that my good camera has a high shutter speed to catch them before they can move too much.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Is that the same bird in both of those pictures of the Creles or two different birds?

2 different.

A looooot of patience, especially when it comes to birds like Athena who want to run to me when I crouch to take a picture

Too cute.

This is my first year actually breeding like this, but the plan is to hatch as many as possible and only keep the best. That'll be tough for me, I have a hard time not getting attached, but I want to make sure I'm doing right by these guys as I'm preserving them.

Oh, I thought you've been breeding for awhile now.
It is definitely hard to let birds go. I was thinking of keeping all of the boys, but now I'm not sure logistically how to do so.

And yeah... that's one awfully big Cochin bantam

I know, right!

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Yeah, those both look like cockerels, then. Usually chick down is very telling for that variety, but if bred indiscriminately even autosexing breeds like Legbars can become hard to sex at hatch. Ugh, sorry I got your hopes up for pullets!

No, I've done a lot of hatching, but this is my first year actually breeding these birds myself, or at least the first year doing so with any amount of effort above the minimum. I did hatch some from Gus's group last year as well, but didn't end up keeping either that hatched because they were both cockerels and I liked other cockerels in the group more.

As for keeping all the boys, yeah, it might get complicated... Honestly, the OEGB boys should do okay together as a group based on my experience with them, it's just the wild card of not knowing how the Cochin will do with them, especially him being much larger.



Regarding the eggs, I peeked at the latest batch last night and... I don't want to be too optimistic based on the previous two batches, but it sure looked like something was going on in 6 of the 8...

 

[Crazy Maizie]

I'm pretty sure those are the 2 with the smallest combs of the 3 creles - so yeah, I had a feeling since they are hatchery quality.

hoping for a good outcome for your eggs!

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

 

[Crazy Maizie]

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Look at these "babies". 5 of them roosting at one time.
I'm building them an area for outside. Hopefully getting it done by next week. I know they are just going to love getting outside to stretch their wings. I have been turning their heat off, but then this weather has been fluctuating so much, I'm a bit nervous to leave them without any heat.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Cleaning out the shed and somehow this barred rock managed to get out of the pen. Not sure how exactly. But, it's time to get them outside. It looks like the next week will be a good one for fully feathered babies.

Also, the 2 in the nesting box - one is my bantam, Lemon, and the other is my Ee, ZuZu. Zuz is always chasing Lemon away, so I found this super adorable that they were sharing the nest box. I think they had been waiting all day to use it because one of my muscovy hens occupied it all day.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Look at these "babies". 5 of them roosting at one time.
I'm building them an area for outside. Hopefully getting it done by next week. I know they are just going to love getting outside to stretch their wings. I have been turning their heat off, but then this weather has been fluctuating so much, I'm a bit nervous to leave them without any heat.

I somehow missed this post when replying to other things today, whoops! Definitely understand being nervous about leaving their heat off, though. Our weather's been all over the map lately.

Cleaning out the shed and somehow this barred rock managed to get out of the pen. Not sure how exactly. But, it's time to get them outside. It looks like the next week will be a good one for fully feathered babies.

Also, the 2 in the nesting box - one is my bantam, Lemon, and the other is my Ee, ZuZu. Zuz is always chasing Lemon away, so I found this super adorable that they were sharing the nest box. I think they had been waiting all day to use it because one of my muscovy hens occupied it all day.

They're looking ready, aren't they! They'll love the space, I'm sure! Be ready for them to be, well, chicken when they first move. When I take mine outside for the first time, they always hide in their box until I make them come out and experience the great outdoors. But give them time and they'll warm up to their new space!

That is cute about Lemon and Zuzu! Looks like the Cochins are doing good in your flock? How's the Mr. getting along with everyone these days?

 

[Crazy Maizie]

I somehow missed this post when replying to other things today, whoops! Definitely understand being nervous about leaving their heat off, though. Our weather's been all over the map lately.




They're looking ready, aren't they! They'll love the space, I'm sure! Be ready for them to be, well, chicken when they first move. When I take mine outside for the first time, they always hide in their box until I make them come out and experience the great outdoors. But give them time and they'll warm up to their new space!

That is cute about Lemon and Zuzu! Looks like the Cochins are doing good in your flock? How's the Mr. getting along with everyone these days?

Oh that's okay. I figured you missed me hogging your thread.
"Cheddar" is doing well. I think he chases after all the ladies. They just run away. The only one I've seen him with is Lemon.
I left the light off for the Littles over night. I'm just worried about that 29° coming up, but they are all feathered, so they should do fine. They are definitely ready - the cochin boy is always standing at the front looking at me and I feel he is saying, "I know there is more to life out there...."