The Wyandotte Thread

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I wait 3 weeks if you want to be sure.

I have had mixed chicks hatch after 7 weeks of being separated...

I've never mix breeds since then.

Sue

While I'm not doubting that this is possible, this is far from normal. I'd say it is more normal for a 2 week wait. Most trials show that 10-14 days is plenty. To couple with that is the fact that as a rooster mates with a hen, the newest semen is used first in fertilization, so if a rooster is actively mating with a hen, you should get almost 100% purity within only 2-3 days, but that is also a big if. As the older semen gets older, it goes away. No study that I have ever heard of has had fertility after a month with no exposure to a rooster and those eggs that are fertile after 3 weeks usually are not able to hatch due to poor vitality.

While they may have been mixed breed chicks, I would question these things: First, where did the starter/parent stock come from? It is possible that the birds that you thought were pure really weren't. You can get all kinds of stuff from blacks or whites that really aren't pure blacks or whites, etc. Second, it sounds like a jail break might be possible
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Chickens have a way of jumping fences, digging holes and finding new hens. Stuff happens.

Anyway, 7 weeks is way too many eggs to waste. Use a good, fertile rooster and you could probably get away with 10 days no problem.
 
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Here are some pictures of the chicks outside, they seem to be doing just fine!
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https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/11721_2-25-2011_20.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/11721_feb_23.jpg

Looks like four roo's and two pullets.

I was wondering what the heck im doing wrong cause im trying to upload more pictures and its not letting me. They are JPEG files...hmmmm any idea's?

Those are plenty big to be outside all alone. I'd even say you probably don't need the heat lamp unless it gets below 20.

Yeah the temps are getting below freezing at night , right now its 30 degree's out and its 2:30 in the afternoon. I know I dont like to be outside in it!
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Quote:
I have had mixed chicks hatch after 7 weeks of being separated...

I've never mix breeds since then.

Sue

While I'm not doubting that this is possible, this is far from normal. I'd say it is more normal for a 2 week wait. Most trials show that 10-14 days is plenty. To couple with that is the fact that as a rooster mates with a hen, the newest semen is used first in fertilization, so if a rooster is actively mating with a hen, you should get almost 100% purity within only 2-3 days, but that is also a big if. As the older semen gets older, it goes away. No study that I have ever heard of has had fertility after a month with no exposure to a rooster and those eggs that are fertile after 3 weeks usually are not able to hatch due to poor vitality.

While they may have been mixed breed chicks, I would question these things: First, where did the starter/parent stock come from? It is possible that the birds that you thought were pure really weren't. You can get all kinds of stuff from blacks or whites that really aren't pure blacks or whites, etc. Second, it sounds like a jail break might be possible
smile.png
Chickens have a way of jumping fences, digging holes and finding new hens. Stuff happens.

Anyway, 7 weeks is way too many eggs to waste. Use a good, fertile rooster and you could probably get away with 10 days no problem.

No, the hens were all pure bred blr Wyandottes. The culprit was a black Ameraucana I thought was a pullet so I left it in the pen, Until I realized she was a he, and the muffs & beard were dead give away on the resulting chicks.

I was in my 3rd year of a closed flock. It was January, so all birds were inside enclosed pens. It probably was a fluke, but it sticks in my memory....it was several years ago. I may have had the new rooster in for just a couple of days before collecting the eggs, thinking that there would be no residual sperm frpm the Ameraucana.

Like said, I no longer put mixed breeds together, ever!

Sue
http://rarechickens.blogspot.com/
 
ANYONE INTERESTED IN BLR WYANDOTTE BANTAMS HATCHING EGGS ???

I JUST LISTED AN EGG AUCTION, THEY ARE JOSH44 STOCK/ MY BROTHERS LINES.

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Here are two of my young blrw - Not from anyone's famous lines, just eggs I hatched from a neighbor's backyard eggs - still, they are really nice!
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I am wondering.. Any ideas what the mutt babies would look like from these and my cochinish roo? Would they have feathered legs?

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I am planning to throw in a few mutt eggs on my next hatch.. juuuust to see.
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