Unexpected hatching - help!
- Thread starter Theblackpukeko
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- #252
Theblackpukeko
Songster
He charged me way less than normal, because this is such a rare operation and he wanted to use it as a learning opportunity. He told me in advance that he had only done it once, and that he would like to use this as practice. I was willing to give it a try! So in the end, he only charged me 120 NZ$. Google says that's about 80 US$. Since this price is for both of them, I couldn't be happier!
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Theblackpukeko
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Quailobsessed
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Awesome, thanks.
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- #256
Theblackpukeko
Songster
Hey guys, it has been a long time and a lot has happened. Sorry it's long, but here's an update:
Tahi and the roosters got settled at the farm pretty well! I fed them every day and came down to give some love to my precious babies
Unfortunately, they disappeared while I was on vacation. I returned a couple of days ago and was devastated. A friend told me that they were regularly visiting a neighbour's orchard on the other side of the road, still quite close to the farm. The first time I went there was nothing there, but when I returned the next day, I found them a bit further down the road. The roosters are healthy and happy!
Tahi, on the other hand, has vanished completely. No one has seen her since I went on vacation. I always thought about this and that it might happen, I just didn't think it'd be this soon, so my heart is aching a tiny bit. She probably joined some other pukekos or found herself a mate, and that's how it should be. As sad as it is, I don't think I'll ever see her again.
The boys are great tho! I feel like the pukeko was so special that they never got enough credit, but they are just as important to me. They recognized me and I brought them back to the farm. After just a few days, they already run for me again when I bring food! And I can pick them up, pat them and feed them from my hands without any problems. I am very grateful to have them and I'll continue to care for them down at the farm!
Thank you all for your support in raising this pukeko! I don't think I would've made it this far without you guys and your help. There were a lot of ups and downs and definitely more stress than I imagined, but I would do it again every time. Animals can give you so much! And I have to admit that this little adventure sparked my fire and I am definitely going to hatch more birds in the future (but for now, I'm taking a break)! You are an awesome community and I felt great being guided by you guys!
PS: Can anyone tell me wether big roo is going to stay white? I know that there is a rare grey gene somewhere in the farm chickens (one grey rooster other than mine) but there is no white roosters so far. Only two white hens. And I know that big roo's two black female siblings already molted and changed colour to brown over a month ago. He's 14 weeks.
Tahi and the roosters got settled at the farm pretty well! I fed them every day and came down to give some love to my precious babies
Unfortunately, they disappeared while I was on vacation. I returned a couple of days ago and was devastated. A friend told me that they were regularly visiting a neighbour's orchard on the other side of the road, still quite close to the farm. The first time I went there was nothing there, but when I returned the next day, I found them a bit further down the road. The roosters are healthy and happy!
Tahi, on the other hand, has vanished completely. No one has seen her since I went on vacation. I always thought about this and that it might happen, I just didn't think it'd be this soon, so my heart is aching a tiny bit. She probably joined some other pukekos or found herself a mate, and that's how it should be. As sad as it is, I don't think I'll ever see her again.
The boys are great tho! I feel like the pukeko was so special that they never got enough credit, but they are just as important to me. They recognized me and I brought them back to the farm. After just a few days, they already run for me again when I bring food! And I can pick them up, pat them and feed them from my hands without any problems. I am very grateful to have them and I'll continue to care for them down at the farm!
Thank you all for your support in raising this pukeko! I don't think I would've made it this far without you guys and your help. There were a lot of ups and downs and definitely more stress than I imagined, but I would do it again every time. Animals can give you so much! And I have to admit that this little adventure sparked my fire and I am definitely going to hatch more birds in the future (but for now, I'm taking a break)! You are an awesome community and I felt great being guided by you guys!
PS: Can anyone tell me wether big roo is going to stay white? I know that there is a rare grey gene somewhere in the farm chickens (one grey rooster other than mine) but there is no white roosters so far. Only two white hens. And I know that big roo's two black female siblings already molted and changed colour to brown over a month ago. He's 14 weeks.
Welcome back, So sorry to hear the Pukeko is gone, but you are right. She probably has found a mate and is on her way making a family of her own. You gave her the chance to do that. The other roosters are beautiful. Do have any advice on whether they will change colors or not. Thanks for the update!
Thanks for the update, this was a really interesting thread.
Chickens go through some juvenile molts. They outgrow their feathers and need to replace them. That cockerel will probably have one more juvenile molt.
I have seen chickens change colors and patterns some when they molt. Not that often and when they do it's usually not that dramatic when it does happen. But I have had some that were certainly noticeable. The times I've noticed the biggest changes were one of the juvenile molts or the first true adult molt. Again, it is not that often.
My guess to what you are seeing is leakage. It sounds like their genetics are all kinds of mixed up. a lot of different genetics interacting. In theory, the genetics should produce one color of chicken but some other color can leak through. This leakage might be a few random feathers or it can be patterns.
In theory this cockerel should be solid black but you can see the golden leakage.
The white cockerels in this photo should be solid white but you can see where the leakage is not only in different patterns but different colors.
I would expect your cockerel to remain mostly white but to me that's part of the fun of hatching mixed genetics chickens. You never know what colors will hatch and you never know how they ill finally feather out.
Chickens go through some juvenile molts. They outgrow their feathers and need to replace them. That cockerel will probably have one more juvenile molt.
I have seen chickens change colors and patterns some when they molt. Not that often and when they do it's usually not that dramatic when it does happen. But I have had some that were certainly noticeable. The times I've noticed the biggest changes were one of the juvenile molts or the first true adult molt. Again, it is not that often.
My guess to what you are seeing is leakage. It sounds like their genetics are all kinds of mixed up. a lot of different genetics interacting. In theory, the genetics should produce one color of chicken but some other color can leak through. This leakage might be a few random feathers or it can be patterns.
In theory this cockerel should be solid black but you can see the golden leakage.
The white cockerels in this photo should be solid white but you can see where the leakage is not only in different patterns but different colors.
I would expect your cockerel to remain mostly white but to me that's part of the fun of hatching mixed genetics chickens. You never know what colors will hatch and you never know how they ill finally feather out.
Quailobsessed
Crowing
Thanks for the update. I'm sure you miss Tahi, she was a beautiful bird that must have given you so much joy
You can take heart in the fact that she's probably out there somewhere with a new flock and perhaps a mate.
I see purple swamp hens (pukekos) all the time, but following you raising Tahi has given me a new appreciation for them and their beauty, so thank you for sharing this journey with us ❤
You can take heart in the fact that she's probably out there somewhere with a new flock and perhaps a mate.
I see purple swamp hens (pukekos) all the time, but following you raising Tahi has given me a new appreciation for them and their beauty, so thank you for sharing this journey with us ❤
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