The Plymouth Rock Breeders Thread- Part Deux

[Egghead_Jr]

It's probably just the year. Spring was very late, I don't add light. Or it's the cock bird, it's his last year here. Despite the setbacks I will hatch a lot of chicks this summer. Should easily obtain a cockerel of equal or better qualities than him.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Hatch was a day late. And with so few hatching decided to put them under the broody that had a failed hatch. Her issue was my fault, wasn't giving them enough oyster shell so many of the eggs broke under her, think that caused bateria.

Three hatched in incubator and two piped Monday afternoon. Instead of waiting until dark made sure she would take them. Removed her from nest to see one chick hatching from her clutch two days late, checked remaining eggs for pips and discarded them. Put three eggs down, her on top then placed the chicks in front of her chest. She clucked away and lifted up slightly to let them run under her.

Kept only seeing three or four chicks yesterday, few out at a time from under her. Made her move today to have a look. Six wee chicks. The one egg that hadn't piped yet never did. Five of the six Silver over Partridge eggs hatched. The one from her clutch is a bit runtish and of course pure silver. Will not be an issue keeping track of that one. When first hatched I could definitely see golden on a few chicks letting me know cockerels, now that they are fluffed out it's hard to tell a "golden" cockerel from what may be a dark hued pullet. It will definitely show better once they start feathering. It's letting me know that the pullets will be brownish hued. Which is all good, plan on hatching out chicks early fall from the Silvers to obtain a new Silver breeding cock. I'll get pure silver next year. and of course breed a "golden" cockerel back to dam.

The breeder I purchased the Partridge pullets from is interested in how this cross manafests out. Might be able to swap a "golden" cockerel for a breeder quality hen this coming January. We'll see how they grow out in size, shape and pencilling first.

loading up a few pics...

 

[Egghead_Jr]

OK, you can tell the cockerels. Furthest back dark chick is certainly a cockerel, I'd noted two of three hatched had definite gold so my guess is other one is left of her head.

And below you can see the one pure Silver. Murphy Line is quite something...

Just because it was cute, the chicks kept peeking out from under her before I moved her to see what hatched.

 

[Mosey2003]

Awesome!

I hope to have some chicks come Friday...

Did I mention I have ANOTHER broody? Gave up and letting her sit. She bit me yesterday, ingrate

 

[Egghead_Jr]

About time right? I've got 19 eggs from the Partridge hen in incubator since Monday afternoon. Should have a much better fertility rate. Knock on wood- want over a dozen to hatch this time...

 

[Mosey2003]

Kill me now

 

[Egghead_Jr]

You use a cage to bust them from brooding right? It takes three days in a cage, better if you can elevate it on blocks.

 

[Mosey2003]

Yeah, I know. These girls take 5 days, and this is round 3 this spring. I'm fed up.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Only had three go broody this year so far. Let the one sit and recently downsized the flock to just 4 hens. The Partridge has yet to brood. I'm having a good year in that respect.

 

[Dr.Dale]

I have three that are solidly broody right now and one that thinks she is broody except she keeps on switching nests. I think I am going to bust the fickle one, but let the others try. We have never hatched under a broody yet.