[rosie14]

6 Pekin and 6 other LF eggs placed under Orpington foster mum. Eggs began pipping and hatching thursday. 2 Pekins died early on and we have 3 little fluffy yellow chicks under mama hen.

The last chick to hatch despite pipping thursday had made very little progress and it's cheeping was quite pathetic (I'm assuming tiredness?) this afternoon so I intervened. I believe I made the right decision as I discovered it was stuck on one side to the inner membrane and shell on one 1/2 of its head and body. I presume once it was pipped it dried out the inner after 48 hours or so??

This evening I just candled eggs for the first time to see what was what and discovered the last remaining Pekin was infertile as were all 6 LF eggs. Hopefully mum will bring her cute fluffy brood out tomorrow. I would have been happy with one chick but 3 has made me very happy. I'm kind of pleased the others were duff as it means nothing went wrong if you know what I mean. 

[JaK]

Congratulations on your new chicks. Can't wait to see fluffy pics.

[Jo57]

great news!

[rosie14]

thankyou here are some little fluffies for you!

[Jo57]

aaahh well worth  it then

[ANHBUC]

They look really healthy rosie14.  Enjoy them as much as you can, they grow so quickly.   

[rosie14]

thanks ANHBUC 

I am certainly very happy indeed! The hens and cockerel my friend has (where I got eggs from) are all stunning especially the Cockerel. Sadly a blo*dy fox took him on hatch day would you believe  .

I didn't want Pekins mainly because of their feathery feet as our run can get muddy in places. But my once I saw them I decided to go for 6 of their eggs and 6 of the other mix (LS, Maran etc) but I wanted the Pekins to hatch more than any of the others, lol good job I took 6 now! I am hoping like mad they are hens!!

[splash101]

they are lovely, glad it all worked out in the end and the stress was definately worth it

[symonep]

Rosie, your hen is beautiful and the chicks are very cute and as ANHBUC said they grow so fast so enjoy them while you can 

[rosie14]

thanks

The Orpie certainly is beautiful yes  except her Bluebell pal nipped off her neck feathers as she went broody, I don't think she liked her hogging the nest box!!

Symonep where abouts in Kent are you?

 

[symonep]

Rosie i am in North kent not far from Brandshatch 

[JaK]

Aww the chicks are very cute.