Who should I hatch??

[akf93]

I’ve got my first broody and we are leaning toward letting her hatch some eggs since we have a predator issue and free range dawn to dusk. My rooster is a Lavender Orpington. My broody is an OE. My current layers are RIR, Ameraucana, EE, OE, and BCM. Who should I hatch? I plan to learn about breeding and genetics but wasn’t planning on having to do it this soon! But here we are! Help me get started!

 

[SilverBirds]

All of the chicks that hatch will be mixes. I'd do few eggs from each and see what you get.

 

[sourland]

I'd set whatever eggs are available.

 

[akf93]

All of the chicks that hatch will be mixes. I'd do few eggs from each and see what you get.

Thanks! I don’t know about mixed breeds or ending up with sterile birds or bad combos. If it’s all fair game, I’ll just give her a mix!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

You should not have any issues with those mixes. I would give her what you have and see what you get. I threw 5 eggs in the incubator this spring and got some pretty chickens out of it. If you like surprises hatching barnyard mixes is fun. Here are some of mine from this spring:

 

[Ridgerunner]

Your OE and EE are almost certainly mixes. No telling what color/pattern genetics they have. I believe there are 8 different approved color/patterns for Ameraucana, no idea what you have. Those could have an effect on color, but with a Lavendar Orpington rooster you can expect the chicks to be solid black or mostly black. Some could be interesting though, it depends on what colors/patterns you actually have.

You don't have to worry about sterile crosses, anything like that. As for bad crosses that depends on your goals and preferences, "bad" is so subjective. If there is something about the individual hen you don't like such as her egg laying or behaviors, don't hatch her eggs. But that is an individual thing. I'd be happy with any of those crosses.

 

[akf93]

Your OE and EE are almost certainly mixes. No telling what color/pattern genetics they have. I believe there are 8 different approved color/patterns for Ameraucana, no idea what you have. Those could have an effect on color, but with a Lavendar Orpington rooster you can expect the chicks to be solid black or mostly black. Some could be interesting though, it depends on what colors/patterns you actually have.

You don't have to worry about sterile crosses, anything like that. As for bad crosses that depends on your goals and preferences, "bad" is so subjective. If there is something about the individual hen you don't like such as her egg laying or behaviors, don't hatch her eggs. But that is an individual thing. I'd be happy with any of those crosses.

Thanks! That’s helpful! We aren’t picky here. As long as we have healthy and happy birds! And lots of eggs! I do have one EE I’ve already decided to not hatch. She’s sporadic in laying and has laid a soft and a no shell egg. Bummer! Those green eggs are so pretty! But all my others are great!

 

[CrspyChkn]

Will you be posting picks of the chicks? And of them as adults? Because the roo is lavender they will likely all be black or partially black I believe. Good luck!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I do have one EE I’ve already decided to not hatch. She’s sporadic in laying and has laid a soft and a no shell egg.

Wise

 

[Fallenone05]

I'm definitely down to see babies from this cross. Good luck with hatching!!