What would you do with this mess? Kraienkoppes / Twentse Hoens

[Sparklee]

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This is a blow. Not the end of the world, of course, but not what I expected back in Feb/Mar when I ordered them. But once I saw all those white ear lobes, I started to get a sinking feeling. I'm not breeding them, but if I'm going to have them, I'd prefer they actually look like they're supposed to.

Thanks for telling me how to salvage things through continual hatching/brooding. I've got a couple of incubators and know how to use them and the brooders, too. But I don't see how to keep take care of all the chicks. The month olds will not abide the newly hatched, etc., etc. The 3 month olds will not abide the 2 month olds. It takes at least 4 months before the ear lobe color shows up. Or is there a trick to knowing ear lobe color before 4-5 months?

I'm going to have to mull this over for a while.

And I'm going to have to look up ear lobe genetics.

Why would a hatchery be sending out birds with white lobes when they are supposed to have red lobes? Do they think it's okay to do it because there is no standard in the States for Kraienkoppes? A few white lobes on the hens wouldn't bother me in the same way as *all* white lobes. And yes, the cock that I thought had red lobes, does appear to be getting a dusting of white over the top of his as we speak.

 

[Pathfinders]

Quote:
This is a blow. Not the end of the world, of course, but not what I expected back in Feb/Mar when I ordered them. But once I saw all those white ear lobes, I started to get a sinking feeling. I'm not breeding them, but if I'm going to have them, I'd prefer they actually look like they're supposed to.

Thanks for telling me how to salvage things through continual hatching/brooding. I've got a couple of incubators and know how to use them and the brooders, too. But I don't see how to keep take care of all the chicks. The month olds will not abide the newly hatched, etc., etc. The 3 month olds will not abide the 2 month olds. It takes at least 4 months before the ear lobe color shows up. Or is there a trick to knowing ear lobe color before 4-5 months?

I'm going to have to mull this over for a while.

And I'm going to have to look up ear lobe genetics.

Why would a hatchery be sending out birds with white lobes when they are supposed to have red lobes? Do they think it's okay to do it because there is no standard in the States for Kraienkoppes? A few white lobes on the hens wouldn't bother me in the same way as *all* white lobes. And yes, the cock that I thought had red lobes, does appear to be getting a dusting of white over the top of his as we speak.

I know this is not an ideal situation, and I'm sorry you're dealing with this. Juggling pens is a pain, I know. I know of no trick for determining ear color before 4-5 months.

Why would a hatchery be sending out birds with white lobes when they are supposed to have red lobes? Do they think it's okay to do it because there is no standard in the States for Kraienkoppes?

Pretty much, yes. Sad but true.

Again, you have my sympathies. Perhaps better to just start over?​

 

[cubalaya]

i got some from sandhill last year. a l;ittle too noisy and flighty for me but my sister let one sit some eggs and she hatched them

 

[Sparklee]

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Yeah, I keep hoping they'll calm down a bit.

 

[Sparklee]

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Thanks for the info.


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Thanks for your sympathy. Starting over would be the easiest if I can find a reliable source since I'm not keen on getting a whole bunch of white ear lobes again.