Straub’s search for colored eggs

[Tstraub]

Yes, as @TwoCrows mentioned, my first hatch was low, but fairly expected because we had a cold snap when I was collecting eggs. The second hatch though I thought should be good but I had 50% develop and 5 quitters. I don't typically get more than 1 or 2. It's been an odd start to hatching this year. The third hatch wasn't much better.

I did just set another big group on Saturday and have over 80% developing, so it might have been the extra cold start to the year we had. We were much colder than usual and I know it took its toll on the birds. Looks like things are straightening up now though! But what am I going to do with a 50+ hatch of chicks

We did have some very cold weather and the rooster did suffer some frostbite on his comb. I have read that that could affect his fertility rate. I probably won’t do another hatch until July because we’re going to my son’s house out of state and I want to leave just one flock to maintain for the chicken sitter.

My biggest concern on the whole thing is that none of my Marans eggs had any development. My trio of Marans are nearly 2 years old and I have never successfully hatched an egg from either of the girls. It might be time to search for better quality breeding stock. I don’t want to give up on the girls but I’m just not sure the genetics are there to continue forward.

 

[2ndTink]

We did have some very cold weather and the rooster did suffer some frostbite on his comb. I have read that that could affect his fertility rate. I probably won’t do another hatch until July because we’re going to my son’s house out of state and I want to leave just one flock to maintain for the chicken sitter.

My biggest concern on the whole thing is that none of my Marans eggs had any development. My trio of Marans are nearly 2 years old and I have never successfully hatched an egg from either of the girls. It might be time to search for better quality breeding stock. I don’t want to give up on the girls but I’m just not sure the genetics are there to continue forward.

Huh, interesting on the frost bite. My one rooster that had really bad development on the last hatch (12 eggs set, 4 developed 2 quit) this setting I have 10 out of 13 developing and he had his little comb tips frost bit. Not horrible but the last 1/8" on a few points were hit.

Oh wow, that's a bummer on the Marans, I have a friend who had 0% development for 2 years from one of her flocks, and she ended up getting a new rooster and the eggs are developing now! So, possibly an infertile rooster. Could you put the Marans hens in with a different rooster and add those to your July hatch to see if the rooster is the problem?

I also have a couple girls who flat out refuse all rooster advances and are very good at evading being bred.

 

[Tstraub]

Huh, interesting on the frost bite. My one rooster that had really bad development on the last hatch (12 eggs set, 4 developed 2 quit) this setting I have 10 out of 13 developing and he had his little comb tips frost bit. Not horrible but the last 1/8" on a few points were hit.

Oh wow, that's a bummer on the Marans, I have a friend who had 0% development for 2 years from one of her flocks, and she ended up getting a new rooster and the eggs are developing now! So, possibly an infertile rooster. Could you put the Marans hens in with a different rooster and add those to your July hatch to see if the rooster is the problem?

I also have a couple girls who flat out refuse all rooster advances and are very good at evading being bred.

I only have one rooster he is a Marans. He is the sire of the 6 olive egger chicks I currently have and the sire to all remaining viable eggs in the incubator. So it can’t be totally his fault. My Marans came to me as the cheapest eggs I could find locally before I knew any better.

 

[2ndTink]

I only have one rooster he is a Marans. He is the sire of the 6 olive egger chicks I currently have and the sire to all remaining viable eggs in the incubator. So it can’t be totally his fault. My Marans came to me as the cheapest eggs I could find locally before I knew any better.

Oh! I didn't realize her was your only rooster. Yep, definitely not his fault then at all!

Hopefully you can find some other eggs soon!

 

[Tstraub]

Hopefully you can find some other eggs soon!

I do know I guy about 2 1/2 hours north of here that has some nice looking Marans. Maybe someday I’ll spend a day and a tank of fuel to pay him a visit.

 

[2ndTink]

I do know I guy about 2 1/2 hours north of here that has some nice looking Marans. Maybe someday I’ll spend a day and a tank of fuel to pay him a visit.

That would be super cool to see the parent stock in person!

 

[Tstraub]

That would be super cool to see the parent stock in person!

Yep, the guy I’m referring to is @wrathsfarm. We have casually talked about a face to face a few times since I joined this forum. He is right at that distance that is close enough for a day trip but way too far for a simple drop in.

 

[2ndTink]

Yep, the guy I’m referring to is @wrathsfarm. We have casually talked about a face to face a few times since I joined this forum. He is right at that distance that is close enough for a day trip but way too far for a simple drop in.

That would super fun and exciting! And the eggs wouldn't be USPS shipped either, that would be a great trip for sure!

 

[Tstraub]

Every morning when I open the door to the grow out pin to let Smoky and the babies out everyone else storms in. They all get the exact same feed but it must tase better from a baby feeder. None of them are actively trying to keep the babies from getting to the feeder and drinker but they always end up spilling it in the commotion.

I might just close up the grow out pin so they go to the big coop. Then move Gena into the grow out pin with whatever chicks hatch out next week

 

[wrathsfarm]

That would be super cool to see the parent stock in person!

Always willing to post more pics if you need...