The 5th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!

[Sally Sunshine]

I'm in! Hatching ameraucanas and Oliver eggers.

Arielle..what kind of eggs are you going to have for me? And, how many did I pay for? I can't remember? I guess I can go back to the messages.

I'm not one that cares too much for the Marans. Anything blue, or green is great if you have that. Blue girls..I love blue girls. Remember the one I posted with her foot up under her during the cold..cutest face..here she is again..one of yours. What a sweetheart. She's the one that lays brown eggs.

Thanks, everyone, for the advice on keeping broodies. I have a dog crate, and I think I'll set that up for one of them, and leave the other hen in the nesting box. The aggressive hen that nips my hands and draws blood - she also got me on the cheek - she's going in the crate!

My daughter-in-law who is in Germany saw the article below about sexing chickens in the egg. This seemed like an audience that might find it interesting.

http://www.farminguk.com/news/Scientists-sex-chicks-in-the-egg-as-Germany-threaten-ban_28509.html

this is really cool, can you imagine the fun at candle time? but OMG as with my CCL eggs I could throw most away as I get all boys!

I know all of you are just sitting on pins and needles waiting to hear the head count when I got home...

When I first got home about an hour ago there were 7 out with some more working, now there are 10 and several more working on it. Pretty soon it will be too hard to count.

YAY

If all goes well we are getting a mix of Colloncas, Huastecs and Quechuas to hatch. That along with the Basques and possible Swedish Flower Hens. It is SOOOOOOO eggciting.

I'm new to BYC but I love it. Count me in on the hatching too !! Turkin / polish cross !!! Happy Hatching !!!

Quote:
oh very pretty!

We have our incubator loaded with 29 mix breeds for the March hatch-a-long and then I will clean the bator and reload for the Easter hatch along. This is going to be a quick turn around, the first batch is not to hatch until the 27th and to be reset by the 29th??? May need to pull and all nighter. Looking forward to adding to the Easter set count this year and hopefully the hatch count.

RO

cheat with heat? but be cautious!

Quote:

Still searching for the elusive Speckled Sussex eggs. Have even put a post up in Craig's list with no luck so far. Am looking on the web, but was not looking to pay a ton for eggs that are going to be a backyard flock... Any suggestions?

Jeff at Papa's Poultry has SS and I believe he ships eggs. He has a website called Papa's Poultry. I have them too, but only hens -- they are super sweet and chatty!. I have a single Branbanter cockerel. Am hoping to cross the two for some crested SS I think they'd be cute back yard birds. The Brabanter genetics will increase the egg size too.

Sharing this SS picture because we have one who is forever getting her wires crossed or waking up and having a wild feather day. She follows me into all the wrong pens - forever causing havoc!

LOL

Several asked for pics. Not the best photo since they are still in the incubator, but here they are. Heading to bed with I believe 17 out and several pips still.

So does anyone know how long roosters stay fertile? I am beginning to wonder about mine.. He is over five now...

Good Morning!

Awesome image!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

So does anyone know how long roosters stay fertile? I am beginning to wonder about mine.. He is over five now...

This is what I have bookmarked, but MIND you its also a BREED thing most abstracts and studies are for commercial breeds! Some roos tend to give issues sooner as in our Big Brahma which can show low fertility by 1.5-2 years. Adding and fertility in broilers and some other breeds have major issues, its said that the Delaware breed also can have big issues with it.



http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10375469

Abstract

Fertility in roosters peaks between 30 and 40 weeks of age and declines rapidly from about 50 weeks of age. Low-fertility, aging roosters have a higher density of elongated spermatids attached to Sertoli cells than do high-fertility roosters, but display normal spermatogenesis and ejaculated spermatozoa.

 

[PAchickenlover]

Good Morning!

Good morning

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I was going to suggest a rooster booster pack, but I am glad I researched before telling you that their are products out there, one thing shows me concern....

Rooster Booster

Benefits:

• Improves vigor & vitality
• Better semen quality and quantity
• Improves libido
• Boosts aggressiveness of male bird
• Improves breeding efficiency of breeder

EDIT ADD LINKAGE TO CHEMICAL COMPANY http://www.indiamart.com/guybrochemical/male-fertility-booster.html

 

[Gardeningmama]

Good Morning​

 

[PAchickenlover]

So does anyone know how long roosters stay fertile? I am beginning to wonder about mine.. He is over five now...

This is what I have bookmarked, but MIND you its also a BREED thing most abstracts and studies are for commercial breeds! Some roos tend to give issues sooner as in our Big Brahma which can show low fertility by 1.5-2 years. Adding and fertility in broilers and some other breeds have major issues, its said that the Delaware breed also can have big issues with it. [COLOR=0000CD]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10375469[/COLOR]
Abstract

Fertility in roosters peaks between 30 and 40 weeks of age and declines rapidly from about 50 weeks of age. Low-fertility, aging roosters have a higher density of elongated spermatids attached to Sertoli cells than do high-fertility roosters, but display normal spermatogenesis and ejaculated spermatozoa.

Wow that's some interesting information... Thank you! Guess i am in the market for a new rooster then.. lol

 

[PAchickenlover]

I was going to suggest a rooster booster pack, but I am glad I researched before telling you that their are products out there, one thing shows me concern.... Rooster Booster Benefits:

• Improves vigor & vitality
• Better semen quality and quantity
• Improves libido
• Boosts aggressiveness of male bird
• Improves breeding efficiency of breeder

Yeah, my guy has 1 1/2 " spurs on his legs. I have four kids; more aggressive doesn't work for me... think ill stick to being in the market for a new rooster. But het it was worth the read, thanks.

 

[PAchickenlover]

[COLOR=800080]Good Morning[/COLOR]​

Morning

 

[Animals970]

Yay!!, I'll try to get some of my eggs ( I'm pretty sure they're fertile) into the incubator. No promises though

 

[uphilljill]

Good morning!