Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

So I have 3 broodies in the coop currently and 1 more clucking. I managed to avoid hatching anything last year despite having at least one broody all spring/summer long. I remained strong.
My resolve is crumbling since I have discovered that three of my big girls eggs are randomly fertilized by Sherman the little Old English bantam. I've seen how he tries to accomplish this. He waits until the big hen is near a wall or the edge of the pen. He hops on and then waits until the hen positions herself with her butt towards the wall and then he slides down her back end and clearly makes some kind of contact . Its a feat to see. The three girls in question are Cochin or Cochin/Rock crosses. Sherman is 6 so the fact that he's not shooting blanks is pretty impressive. I feel I owe it to them to try to hatch these eggs. I mean it's basically an Olympic event! Somebody talk some sense into me.

Makes sense to me. Go for it. Kidding. Sort of.
Unless you think that this may be your last chance for Sherman's progeny?
Don't listen to me. I am not practicing strong resolve when it comes to chicken math ATM.

My question, do you have any Roosters from Sherman? I waited too long to get a replacement from Oilver, he is shooting blanks. If you like him, let him make your replacement. That's how I look at it.
But don't listen to me....I couldn't part with 4 chicks from my last hatch....

Well I already have two younger roosters (not from Sherman but still...don't really need another). It's more that I'm so curious to see what they would look like. Here's a pic to show you the size difference.

Yay Sherman!!!!

Sherman! Sherman! Sherman!

With that effort..HATCH! HATCH! HATCH!

An old quote “IT’S NOT THE SIZE OF THE ROOSTER IN THE FIGHT BUT THE SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN THE ROOSTER THAT COUNTS “ In this case Sex Drive .

Kbr42 wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 07, 2020 5:32 am

My question, do you have any Roosters from Sherman? I waited too long to get a replacement from Oilver, he is shooting blanks. If you like him, let him make your replacement. That's how I look at it

that was my thought exactly

Happy wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 06, 2020 9:31 pm

I feel I owe it to them to try to hatch these eggs. I mean it's basically an Olympic event! Somebody talk some sense into me.

OK. Here is some sense talking. DO NOT HATCH THOSE EGGS, You let the hen hatch them, it is a much better way. But do NOT let anyone talk you out of that. Those Cochins need babies.

I knew I could count on you guys
I just checked a few more eggs and fertilization is VERY sporadic. I cracked 8 eggs that were laid between 1 week and 2 weeks ago and only 3 looked fertilized. This feels risky. I don't know yet.
Will keep you posted.