Thread formerly known as Hatch day is today

[psue]

On the hatching front we have 2 olive eggers, 1 Wheaten Marans, and 3 Mille Fleur cochins hatched out so far. Chickens are so much faster than ducks.

chickens are..

geese are

I've not tried ducks yet.. thats this year but I expect closer to geese from all you guys have said

 

[Coyote Night]

I can't sex chicks. Depends on what we end up hatching throughout the year on adults. This year we have added in a blue cochin hen and a splash cochin hen to develop better type on the Mille Fleur and to also develop a nice blue Mille Fleur line from them also so we will probably be hatching a lot and growing out a lot and we can't keep them all.

 

[Iain Utah]

They are beautiful!! I don't want young chicks. I would prefer they already be laying of close to laying. From what I have read Cochins are the best breed for our extremely bitter winters and they remind me of dewlaps with their super fluffy feathers. I am in no hurry to get any, but I figured I'd ask since you have really nice birds and are npip.

 

[Coyote Night]

It's pretty likely that I will have some adults later in the year so just check with me then. We Grade them as they grow out so what we are left with at the end of summer is what we decided was too nice to sell off locally for cull prices (everyone around here wants birds for $5 regardless of their quality

)

 

[Iain Utah]

I understand. That would be great. I only want 2-3 females for eggs. No desire to breed, so would be perfectly happy with your culls.

 

[psue]

It's pretty likely that I will have some adults later in the year so just check with me then. We Grade them as they grow out so what we are left with at the end of summer is what we decided was too nice to sell off locally for cull prices (everyone around here wants birds for $5 regardless of their quality

)

I know

x2

 

[Coyote Night]

I know

x2

You noticed too? It's slightly insane for me to sell birds locally anymore. I would be better off to put them in the freezer as to sell them locally.

 

[Coyote Night]

Oh yeah before I forget Psue on the facebook swap page someone mentioned food coloring in the vent to see which hen lays which egg. I've heard about this years ago but forgot about it until it was brought up and on your ducks you wanted to know which duck laid which egg for the breeder software and record keeping and that would be a great way to know which hen the egg was laid by.

 

[ChristineR]

I can't sex chicks. Depends on what we end up hatching throughout the year on adults. This year we have added in a blue cochin hen and a splash cochin hen to develop better type on the Mille Fleur and to also develop a nice blue Mille Fleur line from them also so we will probably be hatching a lot and growing out a lot and we can't keep them all.

Do they make good broody hens? I like them and also Salmon Faverolles, but we get so much rain here that I am worried that their leg feathers would get waterlogged and nasty. What do you think?

 

[Marty1876]

Cochins are pretty good sitters and mothers, bigger than a silkie, but as inclined to sit, and a bit more protective.

I've had them hid away nests in late fall, and show up with chicks in November!