Small colony breeding. Just two pairs in aviary.

 

Whilst you can never be sure, I am confident that all her chicks with her previous cock were only with him, as all the chicks were very similar in colouring.

I used to think that too, BUT I had quite a few surprises in those days as well

Yeah me too. In summer i had 2 males happily sharing the one hen - they even shared chick raising and feeding

Edited July 10, 200816 yr by **Liv**

Yes, I certainly know sharing goes on.

 

She is currently in an aviary with 3 hens and 3 cocks.

 

2 cocks are very bored however, because 1 decided he would claim all 3 hens!

 

The surprising result was...the other 2 cocks let him be and EVERY egg, from each hen's clutch was fertile.

 

Watching him feed the hens is hilarious. He spends all his time eating and then goes "door to door" to feed his hens and chicks.

 

I will know in future that I will need to put him alone in a breeding cabinet with a hen, so he doesn't hog them all to himself.

 

I ran this situation past a breeder I know and he said that it was quite normal and just to leave the 2 other cocks in the aviary to 'keep him honest' :-)

What a great dad!!! I would give him a rest for a month or two after his babies have weaned - don't want him wearing himself out

 

Oh and there is every possibility that the other two "planted their seed" and are happily puting their feet up watching him do ALLLLLLL the work

Edited July 10, 200816 yr by **Liv**

Oh and there is every possibility that the other two "planted their seed" and are happily puting their feet up watching him do ALLLLLLL the work

:P

Apologies for the blurry pics...it was the chick's fault, they wouldn't stay still!! I was in a bit of a hurry too, so couldn't spend much time getting them to pose nicely!!

 

Definitely looks like one of them will look like their Dad. I've started a new thread with pics of Mellow's (this mother) daughter and her little clutch.

 

Today's Pics

 

Chick 1..my guess is Yellow, Opaline Spangle (like dad). Turning out very pretty.

 

 

Chick 2... Normal green??? I can't see any green, only yellow though.

 

Chick 3... Dom Pied... Violet??? Is it, is it???? Definately looks like it in natural light. Fingers crossed!

 

Chick 4...Sky blue, opaline, spangle...same as dad I think.

 

Chick 5...still quite tiny and very white, with only a little bit of blue. Not sure yet!