Spitzhaubens

[SueT]

Hi everyone, how are you all doing? I'm okay here, staying well.
I have a question about fertile eggs. As I may have mentioned earlier, I only have 1 pair of Spitzes left. So I'd like to hatch some of their eggs. The pullet's eggs are definitely fertile. Out of curiosity, tho, I'd like to see a Sebright/Spitz cross too. Does this Sebright egg look like it was fertile? The bullseye is less defined than I have seen in the Spitz eggs.
I don't have an incubator but am thinking of getting one, to give me something to do in this time of isolation. Or wait for someone to go broody, probably the Sebright, Moonshine, who can't cover very many larger eggs.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

That egg is fertile. I would go ahead and get a small inky. There's nothing like watching them hatch!

 

[Faraday40]

View attachment 2060967

Looks fertile to me!

Broody hens are the easiest /cheapest way to hatch because you won't need to buy anything. The hens do all the work. If you're only thinking of 1-2 small hatches for yourself this year, then stick with a broody.

However, you're talking to someone who has an incubation addiction. LOL I love watching chicks hatch! If you're thinking of ever selling chicks to cover the cost of feed, then go ahead and buy an incubator. I hatch in the local schools and have used many different brands & models of incubators. If you like, I can share my experiences & help you find a good one for your needs.

 

[SueT]

Looks fertile to me!

Broody hens are the easiest /cheapest way to hatch because you won't need to buy anything. The hens do all the work. If you're only thinking of 1-2 small hatches for yourself this year, then stick with a broody.

However, you're talking to someone who has an incubation addiction. LOL I love watching chicks hatch! If you're thinking of ever selling chicks to cover the cost of feed, then go ahead and buy an incubator. I hatch in the local schools and have used many different brands & models of incubators. If you like, I can share my experiences & help you find a good one for your needs.

only thing, I have to wait for the broody to go broody! Don't you think a Sebright-spitz mix would be adorable?

 

[SueT]

ps, looking at my records, she went broody on 4-22 last year. Not so far away.

 

[Faraday40]

Don't you think a Sebright-spitz mix would be adorable?

Probably would be a cute little bird with a big Sebright attitude.

If you leave some eggs or golf balls in the nest, you might be able to tempt her to go broody. (Can't force her, but some broody-prone hens are highly suggestible. That's why they say broodiness is contagious.) Once she's sitting tight, swap them out for the real eggs.

 

[SueT]

Probably would be a cute little bird with a big Sebright attitude.

If you leave some eggs or golf balls in the nest, you might be able to tempt her to go broody. (Can't force her, but some broody-prone hens are highly suggestible. That's why they say broodiness is contagious.) Once she's sitting tight, swap them out for the real eggs.

I know she'll go broody. She's a broodiholic. My records show she went broody on April 14 2 yrs ago and April 22 last yr. So I'll let her decide. I would enjoy having an incubator and hatching eggs, but I dislike raising chicks and hate integrating them. I am not expecting to be able to sell any chicks until this pandemic is past, so no reason to have too many at this time. So I'll just let Moonshine be in charge.
Suppose I give her some Spitz eggs, plus some of her own? How many do you think she could cover? 2 and 3? more? She had 4 Spitz eggs last time.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

24 spitzhauben eggs set a week ago for the hatchalong and 24 spitzie eggs developing. Hopefully they all make it to the end. 100% fertility rate, let's hope the same for hatch rate!

 

[Faraday40]

24 spitzhauben eggs set a week ago for the hatchalong and 24 spitzie eggs developing. Hopefully they all make it to the end. 100% fertility rate, let's hope the same for hatch rate!

Congrats!
Your spitz flock has great fertility. I often get 100% when using your spitz eggs in my good incubator! The schools don't get 100% (but that's probably due to anxious people lifting the lid at hatch.)

 

[SueT]

@Faraday40 and @homeschoolin momma I've been saving fertile eggs ---and getting more each day, so I am taking out those over 10 days old and cooking them. Please advise me on age of eggs and viability. Neither hen lays eggs every single day. I have about 8 of each, the Spitz and the Sebright/Spitz cross.
Also there is the Amish woman who bought a Spitz pair from me but lost the rooster to a predator. So I've also promised her some eggs, when her banty hen goes broody, I assume it will be soon. Now as of tomorrow our state is under a stay at home order. I'm not sure how the Amish think about that, but I'm going to tell her I am following it, no visiting, period. If she wants some eggs I'll leave them on the porch to pick up. And we'll talk only by phone. I have a feeling the Amish may be ignoring social distancing and continuing their gatherings and therefore would be at risk.
So I'm saving back eggs for both of us, and thus the question of length of viability.