Surprise surprise surprise!

[thejaxx]

My buff orp has babies!

Went out this morning and saw this:

IMG_0607

• thejaxx
• Jul 2, 2017

I hadn't checked on her the last few days as she's been very ornery. One of the chicks was still damp. The reasoning for the cardboard box is I had to throw a small coop together to separate both broody hens.

Have NO idea what they are, the rooster was a Carolina Blue Sex-link. Eggs are from her, a welsumner, and a cuckoo maran. All three of the chicks do seem to have a blond spot on their heads. Really hoping that isn't the sex-link indicator passing over, cause that'd mean all roosters.

 

[Pork Pie]

From what I have read, sex-linking is only achieved with non sex- linked parents.

 

[thejaxx]

Sex-link is soooooo confusing.

Had one egg that hadn't pipped yet, candles and it looks as if it died half way through the incubation. Last egg pipped the other night and when I checked in the morning, nothing had changed. I could see the beak opening and closing, so I picked shell away to help with he zipping since the membrane was bright white and gave it more time.

On my way to work, I got a feeling momma was gonna get off the nest, as it had been two days since first hatch. Had my wife grab the egg and put it in the incubator. Good thing to, cause she left the nest for most the day!

Got home and she had hatched, but still had part of the membrane attached to her. I put her in a brooder to dry out and she instantly started drinking water.

Last night, snuck her back under momma, and this morning, she's happy with four strong chicks!

 

[thejaxx]

WP_20170704_12_46_47_Rich_LI

• thejaxx
• Jul 4, 2017

Hi momma!

The black chick (pretty sure that was my Marian's egg) was the last to hatch. It's the only one with no spot on it's head, but don't think it matters.

WP_20170704_12_46_31_Rich_LI

• thejaxx
• Jul 4, 2017

Hatch from 7/1-7/3

 

[21hens-incharge]

I LOVE surprises like this!

Cutest chicks ever!
Congrats to the ornery mama!

 

[junebuggena]

Sex-link is soooooo confusing.

Not at all confusing if you understand the genetics behind the sexlinking. A barred hen can only pass her barring gene to her male offspring. A barred male can pass his barring gene/s to both male and female offspring.
The rooster is barred, so there is no sexlinking with your batch of chicks, since both males and females can receive the barring gene from him.

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

So precious!