They started to hatch

[Snadger]

Well done CS! You've had a really good hatch rate. One of the blokes at the allotments has just paid a fortune for 30 eggs off eBay in half dozen lots of various types.
Only six hatched and they were all Arucanas from the same batch!

[chicken slave]

Thanks Snadger.

I had the disaster last year when eggs weren't hatching (from e-bay) but this time I have turned the incubator up as the built thermometer is at the top and not egg level, it seems to have worked and the fact that I have only brought the eggs from the end of the garden.
There are some places in Durham that sell eggs that maybe a better choice for your mate, then he can pick them up and transport them himself, I rang a mate up there but they have had there cockerals stolen so no fertile eggs (it would have been a good contact for you)

[MaureenHall]

Great news CS, I'm so pleased for you

[chicken slave]

nearly forgot.....

here are some piccies of the chicks enjoying the sun today

[MaureenHall]

It's no good! Mine will have to go out to play soon too tomorrow might be a bit difficult, doctors in the morning, gardening course in the afternoon, but if it's fine on Thursday then out they go!

[Flummery]

There's just something so wholesome about birds!

[Snadger]

There's just something so wholesome about birds!

Yep.......spit roast with chips!

[Flummery]

You wretched man!

[HayleyB]

He's just thinking of the cockerels aren't you Snadge........ AREN'T YOU SNADGE

[Nicos]

Yep.......spit roast with chips!

Be interesting if mine are all spit roasted when they find out there's electricity in the pretty new fencing!!!!

BTW...the chicks look lovely..well done! looks like there's a mommy bird wanting to care for them??????

[chicken slave]

BTW...the chicks look lovely..well done! looks like there's a mommy bird wanting to care for them??????[/QUOTE]

That mommy is a boyHe is a RIR and has just reaching maturity so he would eat them given half a chance, you may remember the chicks hatched in October well that is 'Fluffy'

[Nicos]

I was worried my 2 cockerels would attack 'my' babies- but they were fine- in fact they find food for them and their moms - and call them over- they also watch out for danger and take them to safety if there's a buzzard overhead!
( now - have to say...they're not so good with the occasional jet fighters which wizz past from time to time- they just freeze bracing themselves for the noise!!)

Fluffy has certainly grown hasn't he?- he hatched about the time we were getting our POLs!

ps- what's a RIR??????

[chicken slave]

ps- what's a RIR??????

Rhode Island Red, he is quite boisterous and likes attacking things including the local wild birds, so better safe than sorry. The other cockeral who likes attacking me is the opposite and has brought worms and slugs for the chicks (some larger than them)