As an update, I did set my best bantam hen with nine eggs from my lone Shetland Hen. There were six that hatched with two that must have struggled because one died at hatch. The other weak chick is hanging on but is notably smaller than the other four. Fortunately, those four (2 black - 2 duckwing) are doing well on their fifth day. Hopefully things continue to progress as this hen has proven to be a great mother in past hatches.
I've been terrible about keeping this thread updated. But anyway and fortunately, I have four lovely 11 week old pullets, (2 silver/red, 1 black/red & 1 black/silver). They have done very well thus far. I will use these to mate back to their fathers next spring. Their mother is a mostly black hen that has been a great egg layer thus far, having began in April and still going strong with no sign of broodiness along the way; but that is what I keep bantam hens for anyway.
As an additional update, I had given a lady here at work six eggs from my Shetland Hen for hatching a few weeks ago. She just told me that five had hatched over the weekend and are doing well thus far.
I’ll have to let someone else answer - I’ve only hatched them in the incubator and integrated once older.
Thanks for your input!
