She said/He said Who's right? Who's wrong? No one!

[scflock]

Ok, a few pics of the 4 that have been moved to the brooder. They are so super tiny. I love them already

So. 4/11? 6 more and the parade moves south

 

[WVduckchick]

I just think that using condensation as a gauge for humidity is not going to be accurate. Every incubator is different, and condensation has as much to do with the ambient temperature of the room as it does the interior climate of the incubator. I keep my thermostat at 67

Agreed... but Brrrrrr.... I'd freeze to death in your house!! Mine is 75.

 

[WVduckchick]

So. 4/11? 6 more and the parade moves south

HAHA! Not likely to happen.... but I might get 6 more. So does my polish look like its gonna be all white?

 

[scflock]

Agreed... but Brrrrrr.... I'd freeze to death in your house!! Mine is 75.

My wife calls our house the meat locker. She turns the electric blanket on an hour before bed every night

 

[scflock]

HAHA! Not likely to happen.... but I might get 6 more. So does my polish look like its gonna be all white?

Definitely looks white to me, but could grow into a buff

 

[FridayYet]

Ok, I don't know how to quote a post from one thread to another, so here is the response I got when I posted the pics of Little Man on the other thread. This may be boring you guys to death, but I find it interesting. It's from IhilaniCoffee

"Type first: This male narrows considerably from front to back, indicating lack of body capacity. The narrow pelvis will carry down to his daughters. Shallowness of body shows dramatically in the first photo. We can only guess that when this cockbird stands upright, he will show a short back and high tailset. All these points show a lack of substance. The original standards for poultry in the USA were based on production, and these things will affect the size and efficiency of internal organs and digestive function as well as laying ability in his daughters. Not everyone shows their birds (I don't), but the type will have a direct correlation to production in a backyard flock or a show flock. It costs the same to feed a productive bird as it does a poor producer.

Now to color: this male shows shafting and excess copper on the chest, white at the base of tail (unless this is a reflection in the photo), and hackle halo, all undesirable in BCM. The last photo shows what look like bumps on the right side of his comb (not full sprigs, but not smooth either). It would be good to see a clear, in-focus photo of the back of the comb from side and rear angle close up. What color egg (on the Marans chart) did this male hatch out from? Also important to know when breeding as the male's contribution is half your flock. But again, type before color (egg or bird).

From the hens and coop setup in the background, it appears you are breeding your birds. You would help the breed by finding a better male. I know it can be a challenge, as so many have "propagated" BCM rather than breeding quality stock with an eye to improving with each generation and weeding out some of the faults of the breed. I hope something here has been helpful."

I actually like the thoroughness of responses like these, and then have a good idea of what to look for in future generations. Yes, hey are looking for that perfect SOP bird, but since they don't exist, you have choices on what you want to work on next.

That's VERY interesting as I noticed the narrow hips as well. Color and comb I couldn't comment on as I'm not a fancier. But I noticed two things in the couple of photos: he is standing with his shanks slightly angled (feet not under hocks) in the side view, and he's a little cow hocked in the front view.

I breed birds for their performance (either meat or egg), and I wouldn't want narrow hips in a laying hen. When you hatch out some of his sons, look to reducing faults. Mark the darkest eggs, then those chicks at hatch. By 8 weeks you have a good idea of the overall growth rate and conformation, though full color won't be present the comb will be reasonably well developed. Tag a few best specimens from the earliest maturing, hatched from darkest egg birds and keep them all until they are fryer size, then cull those that are clearly culls. Develop a couple of the best until they are fully mature and breed those back to the hens, especially those that lay the darkest eggs.



The mother's genes may help correct the color

Great advice! Start with the basics and then work on the other stuff!

Walnuthill, what you are doing is wonderful breeding!

X2

Ok, a few pics of the 4 that have been moved to the brooder. They are so super tiny. I love them already

So cute! congratulations!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Wait a minute...
Is she delirious? Lame? Extremely tired? Has her body been invaded by a silkie? These are the questions you need to be asking yourself. I think a broody polish is equivalent to the 7th sign of the apocalypse

I know! I've read of one maybe two polish hens broody and that's it. I feel I need to document this a little more so that it's actually real. I will be getting lots of pics as she goes along and some of the chicks if she sticks this out and gets to hatch.

 

[scflock]

I know! I've read of one maybe two polish hens broody and that's it. I feel I need to document this a little more so that it's actually real. I will be getting lots of pics as she goes along and some of the chicks if she sticks this out and gets to hatch.

I would really like updates as to whether she follows through. My polish barely stay on the nest long enough to lay an egg

 

[scflock]

Ok, a few pics of the 4 that have been moved to the brooder. They are so super tiny. I love them already

I am terrible at sexing chicks, but I swear the one closest to the camera in this picture crowed at me...

 

[chickiedoodahs]

@Yorkshire coop when can you tell they are fizzled? I've had 3 gold laced Poland's hatch today but they all look the same? Their father is fizzled so hoping for at least 1.

I've finally seen 1 more pip so hopefully have at least 1 chamois poland from the 2 eggs left! The chicks are so beautiful, I'm in love