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wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

Cool. Thanks Greentree Very Happy

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Rebecca · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 4:24 pm Post subject:

We just had 2 chicks hatch thismorning in the incubator ... exciting or what! Watching them learn to walk over a few hours is hilarious! About 12 more to go. 7 of them are pure Light Sussex, the rest are isabrown X Light Sussex.

We just got 2 silkie crosses so hopefully they will go broody soon and take over from the incubator which is on loan.
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wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

Nice one Rebecca. How did the rest do?.
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Rebecca · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:58 pm Post subject:

16 chicks all doing well, one hatched a little mutated and died after a week. 6 eggs were unfertile and one just failed to hatch despite having a perfectly formed chick inside.

Our rabbits just kindled 9 kits and now the goats are due this week too. Very fecund around here!
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GB · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 317 Location: Ireland

Sounds like its all go with everybody else as well Laughing

I went mental at a market that had a stall selling blue eggs. I asked if he had a rooster in with his girls and he said "Sure and certain I do, keeps the girls happy it does havin him around" Laughing

so I bought a dozen. I have NO idea what they will be breed wise but they will come out of beautyful blue eggs Laughing

Then no less than two of my flock of five went broody adn are sat on about 12 eggs between them, and dont forget the last hatching from the bator of 12 to find room for Embarassed

so as I need more chicks like a hole in the head - we are also moving Rolling Eyes

- nine of the twelve candled as live and healthy last night Very Happy

AAAAAAAAAARGH, I knew chickens were addictive but thought I had more selfcontrol that this Laughing

But empty bators look so lonely dont they Wink

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wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

. Sorry GB but, the words self control and you dont gel. How did you get on with that lobster pot you skanked from the beach?. The latest news from my chicks is that they are all doing fine and are now off the heat lamp. A lonely bater is one thing but I think a broody hen will be much less ag. Once my Dorkings have grown I shall be looking for a game cock and a broody hen. The bater can stay on the shelf. Good luck Wink

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GB · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 317 Location: Ireland

the lobster pot still lives on the lawn as Mr GB said hell would freeze solid before he would drive anywhere with it tied to the roof Laughing

but my great chicken hatching thingy started before I realized I wanted to move my family back to where I grew up so the kids can get to know my side of the family for a few years so I now have a flock to find homes for and two hens broody and a bator full of bright blue eggs Embarassed

Still, its all fun and very few things can beat looking in at your new little chicks with the kids going all happy noises at them, awwww bless Very Happy

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Rebecca · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 8:51 am Post subject:

We all LOVED watching chicks hatch, it's a brilliant thing for children (and adults!) to witness. The first week was also very exciting. 3 weeks later and the stink in the guest room where the chicks are at the moment is toxic! Even when their box is cleaned out every day it still smells. Although it's been brilliant I will definitely be favouring the broody hen approach next time!

GB you probably know what breed the blue/green eggs come from? The Araucana from Chile, a bird with a very interesting background and history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Araucana I was determined to get a breeding pair myself, and did so, waited on tender hooks for months for eggs ... after about 6 months of checking several times a day the breeding pair both began sparring, and cock-a-doodle-doodling!!!!!!! That was the end of that particular venture! Now we have isabrown layers and light sussex rooster, one LS hen and a couple of silkie crosses that will hopefully go broody soon.

There are a couple of others that lay blue/green eggs, this is a good chart showing egg colour of various breeds ;
http://www.roosterbooster.co.uk/egg_colours.html
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GB · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 317 Location: Ireland

Thanks for that Rebecca Very Happy

I was kinda thinking Araucana's but having never seen one in the flesh as it were I cant wait to see what they look like when they hatch Cool

Are you still looking for a few Wink

I will (not counting chicks till their hatched) hopefully have a few looking to find new homes Laughing

You are so right about the smell, I keep my little-uns in the dining room for the first three weeks cause I can keep a closer eye on them and they dont half wiff at times Embarassed

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Camile · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 11:28 am Post subject:

Hello,

Blue or green eggs are getting quite common ... I have a few hens laying different variations of green ... and they are all mongrels though ..

And so far with mine, the blue gene is only transmissible by the rooster ... I've hatched a fair few green eggs, and none layed green after ...

They are nice though ...makes a rainbow egg boxes (fully copyrighted and patented by me) ... and sells well too .

As for broodies, if anyone is looking for some, give me a shout because 3/4 of my flock is broodies now ... I'm struggling to breed some just for laying ...

And I would sell them as proven broodies because they all are ..

Camile