On second thought, I'll send the box to you and you can put that boy in it and ship him to me!IMG ALT=""]https://www.backyardchickens.com/content/type/61/id/6630580/width/350/height/700[/IMG]
My 27 week old cockerel Nero
@Leahs Mom
Yes - I can see what you're talking about. @ki4got says she believes the wild type gene is present in the SFH and this would cause the "racing stripes" as well as Cleopatra eyeliner.Apparently from what we've seen, most chicks will just get faint markings, but some (Like @Melabella 's) will get distinctive markings.
This breed is so fun, different and unpredictable!
Congrats on those that did hatch. Sorry that it wasn't more.Update on my last batch in the bator: Day 22 today, 3 have successfully hatched, one I assissted (had an inner pip on the pointy end) and I´m not sure it´s gonna make it, yet. That makes a pretty bad hatch rate (30 or 40% depending on if the last little guy makes it). Once again, quite a few died at a fairly mature stage. I think this means I need a new bator. And talking about unpredictable-looking chicks, one of my new little guys has this interesting marking on his head. Anyone have one look similar to this before and have an idea how he/she could turn out? He´s from my own flock and is definitely sfh. Is this a religious variant of the "racing stripes"? Kind of weird, huh?@Leahs Mom Yes - I can see what you're talking about. @ki4got says she believes the wild type gene is present in the SFH and this would cause the "racing stripes" as well as Cleopatra eyeliner.Apparently from what we've seen, most chicks will just get faint markings, but some (Like @Melabella 's) will get distinctive markings. This breed is so fun, different and unpredictable!
Love the coloring on the chick in the pic! 
Please keep us updated on how she feathers out.
IMG ALT=""]https://www.backyardchickens.com/content/type/61/id/6630580/width/350/height/700[/IMG]
My 27 week old cockerel Nero
Awwww - sorry your hatch wasn't as good as you had hoped for... but what a NEAT chick! I've never seen one that looks like that.Update on my last batch in the bator: Day 22 today, 3 have successfully hatched, one I assissted (had an inner pip on the pointy end) and I´m not sure it´s gonna make it, yet. That makes a pretty bad hatch rate (30 or 40% depending on if the last little guy makes it). Once again, quite a few died at a fairly mature stage. I think this means I need a new bator. And talking about unpredictable-looking chicks, one of my new little guys has this interesting marking on his head. Anyone have one look similar to this before and have an idea how he/she could turn out? He´s from my own flock and is definitely sfh. Is this a religious variant of the "racing stripes"? Kind of weird, huh?
Alpine... I know how you feel when you hope for more... and get less, but I am sure when you get a new incubator, things will look up. Before long.. you will be hatching your own eggs and you won't have to ship every single time... only when you want fresh lines! I can't believe my oldest SFH girl is 23 weeks old and hopefully within a month.. I will have my first eggs! I will have to tie my hands together to not throw those pullet eggs in the incubator!Update on my last batch in the bator: Day 22 today, 3 have successfully hatched, one I assissted (had an inner pip on the pointy end) and I´m not sure it´s gonna make it, yet. That makes a pretty bad hatch rate (30 or 40% depending on if the last little guy makes it). Once again, quite a few died at a fairly mature stage. I think this means I need a new bator. And talking about unpredictable-looking chicks, one of my new little guys has this interesting marking on his head. Anyone have one look similar to this before and have an idea how he/she could turn out? He´s from my own flock and is definitely sfh. Is this a religious variant of the "racing stripes"? Kind of weird, huh?
lol... how funny. Thanks for the love for Nero. He is feeling his hormones and running around trying to organize everyone. It's too hysterical. His girlfriend is 23 weeks, and he is trying to court her in every way he can think of. too funnyOn second thought, I'll send the box to you and you can put that boy in it and ship him to me!
LOL! Your poor DH must have been thrilled with the chorus of the peeps serenading him with the song of their people by the light of the moon! Very romantic!
Hey everyone, thanks for all the encouraging words! Good news: the one chick I assisted that had inner pipped at the wrong end seems to be getting stronger; I think she´s going to be OK, so I have 4! Here are some pics of all of them together:
