Posted August 26, 201014 yr On the 6th of August I put two breeding pairs down into my breeding cabinets. I'd love to have more pairs down but at the moment I only have the two cabinets. Pair one is a Violet Normal Cock to my White DF Spangle Hen. So far they have 6 eggs with 3 possibly 4 being fertile. Their first egg was laid on the 14th August so I am expecting the first one to hatch next Tuesday, possibly Wednesday if all goes right. They are a fantastically bonded pair whom I originally didn't want to place together but as they had bonded so well I figured why not? She is a very gentle hen and nibbles my fingers but has never once bitten me. She even stays in the nest box whilst I peer at her eggs - she graciously moves out of the way ever so gently and preens her feathers or nibbles my fingers. The cock is a little more touchy - but he too lets me peek in to check things are going okay. He looks after the hen beautifully and I am glad I let them stay together. The cocks parentage is his father is a YF Grey Normal and his mother is an Opaline Cobalt. I am unsure of the hen's history as I purchased her from over east. I will try and get the info from the breeder somehow. Pair two is a Cobalt Normal Cock to my Grey Opaline Hen. No eggs as yet but could be any day as she has egg bum and massive poops. They were a pair I put together and they have bonded well. He spends alot of time with her in the nest box. The hen's history: Her father is a Green Spangle/Lacewing and her mother is a Lacewing. I don't have the cock's history as I purchased him from an MBC Auction - but I can get the details. I do have pictures - but I can't find my cable to transfer them - as soon as I find the cable, pictures shall be up I hope this proves to be a successful journey but I am open to the idea that things may not go right.
August 26, 201014 yr Exciting time, I hope you have eggs soon Amy . I wish you luck with your breeding
August 27, 201014 yr Good luck with your breeding, it's very exciting to be just starting out with show types. I look forward to the pictures too
August 29, 201014 yr Author Thanks everyone - I am very happy and excited by all this. Here are some pictures of my breeding pairs so far - some of the pictures are old because the birds weren't very co-operative haha White DF Melanistic Spangle Hen to Violet Normal Cock Pairing Pleased to say these two have 6 fertile eggs. Very very happy - fingers crossed I also end up with 6 gorgeous little pinkies. Cock when I first put him in the aviary (February 2010) Hen whilst she was still in quarantine (March 2010) Pairing up in the aviary Result of pairing up and placing in breeding cabinet All eggs definitely fertile - top right egg was the last one laid and I saw the spidery veins and tiny beating heart in it yesterday Pictures of other pairing will be here soon
August 29, 201014 yr Good Luck Amy, we have one pair just starting to lay eggs and the other pair having chicks almost ready to leave the box for the first time.
September 7, 201014 yr Author I HAVE PINKIES!!!!! :sadsorry: :rip: Two gorgeous wonderful tiny little pink squeaking bodies were waiting for me this morning when I checked the nest box. I knew they were starting to hatch as I candled them yesterday but it was still a nice surprise. Both have full crops, and both are a nice healthy colour. Both mum and dad are in the nest box tending to their new babies. Sooo happy! Mum is ever so gentle with them and for a maiden hen; doing a fantastic job. So proud
September 7, 201014 yr Oh exciting, you might get a violet spangle or two, they are very pretty. :sadsorry:
September 7, 201014 yr Oh exciting, you might get a violet spangle or two, they are very pretty. :sadsorry: very good hope you get all hatchlings out ps splat love your sig
September 7, 201014 yr Author Photos as requested :sadsorry: All photos are taken without a flash. Perfect lighting in there at the moment Hello my darling, yes I can see you - these two were taken yesterday whilst still incubating the hatching eggs I see pinkies! Dad doing his thing - he fllled one to almost bursting point and I think he was starting to fluff up over them to keep them warm Pinkies! Mum keeping them all warm She has been taking in bits of grass seeds that I have been placing in their cage so I thought i'd put some in her nesting box to help her. My hand was to stop the cock coming in briefly whilst I was trying to take pictures - most of the other pictures have him hovering around. Oh and Kaz, I took the other egg out that I was telling you about. It went a very strange colour and at the risk of possibly losing that chick - i'd much rather lose one than all of them if it was a bad egg. It still had no movement inside and had dark patches inside. I cracked it open and there was a perfect little chick in there, but it had a funny film of murky/milky smelly stuff around one whole side of it, tiniest bit of yolk and one part was very dry. Edited September 7, 201014 yr by Amy S
September 7, 201014 yr Thanks for the lovely photos :rip: Yeah.........I had a feeling about that egg :sadsorry:
September 7, 201014 yr Author Thanks for the lovely photos Yeah.........I had a feeling about that egg We all love photos and I love taking them - gave me an excuse to see them again haha Yeah that was a baaad egg. Fingers crossed the others stay okay. So far so good.
September 7, 201014 yr I see pinkies! Pinkies! Yay Amy, Pinkies!! How exciting. And your first two on the same day! I love in these photos how they are synchronized, like they want to do everything the same. Especially the top photo with their little bent elbows! :rofl:
September 7, 201014 yr I love the second picture, cuteee. Exciting! It is like egg, chick, egg, chick, egg haha.
September 8, 201014 yr Author Those two are my favorite pictures too Finnie Everytime I've seen them, they seem to do the same sort of thing - like twins! But not hahaha I have another pinkie on the way! Third egg is in process of hatching The two babies are doing well - being fed well to the point of almost bursting - I will have to take a photo of them both - they look to have grown too. Lots of mating has been happening in the other breeding cage - but still nothing in the way of eggs or nesting. I may actually get another breeding cabinet as I spotted my YF Sky Violet Spangle hen and my Cobalt cock mating.
September 8, 201014 yr Author Another pinkie has arrived...but I think it has arrived too early as it's belly is yellow Fingers crossed it will be okay though
September 9, 201014 yr Author Early pinkie has survived the night and has a full crop - will try take photos later Also have another egg beginning to hatch - I think it's also a bit early but I am hoping it will arrive tomorrow or saturday.
September 10, 201014 yr Author Really exciting. Lots of pinkies :thankyou: I knooooow it's wildly exciting Another pinkie has arrived today - very new looking, tiny and perfect, has been fed and is bundled up with it's siblings.
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now