It is day 22 at the Koerner house for the Welsummer hatch. Only 2 chicks have popped out. One I am gradually helping throughout the night. My hatch rate is 80% with eggs from my friend Kelly (if you would like hatching eggs, let me know – I’ll send you to Kelly!). This is horrible! My hatch rate for these guys is only 18%. Fertility was only 24%, so hatch of fertile eggs was 75%. Mind you, if we’re going that route, my hatches from Kelly have been in the 90% counting out the infertile eggs.
I was so excited for these chicks, not as excited hatching barnyard mixes as one never knows what is inside, but still excited nonetheless. I bought these from a breeder and anticipated great results. This happened last time as well when I bought from a breeder. Perhaps it is just that things shouldn’t be pure. Genetic differences in the gene pool are wonderful, biologically speaking. I think from now on I will stick with the barnyard mixes from Kelly or the standard chickens from the feed store.
