A friend was in need of some fresh laying hens so I decided I'd clean up the incubator and see just how good of a job my Rooster was doing. Planning on a 50% male to female ratio, I would set 24 eggs. Well, 21 days later.....



...11 of the 14 that have hatched so far today are in the picture below. 3 are in incubator drying out, and 6 other eggs "may" hatch. I figured on a 50% fertility ratio and that was blown out of the water. 20/24 were fertile. 4 eggs were culled monday, all clear and no development. Now we just need to see how the final 6 do.

The 11 in the brooder have found food and water. What a cool experience! Most look to be Black Austrolorp purebreds, but there are certainly a few certified mutts in there. The boys have certainly enjoyed the process as well.