superjules Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Hi all, My GNR got back yesterday from a week at a friend's house who was looking after them while we were away for half term. He breeds chickens and has a gorgeous lavender araucana cock who's rather taken with Marigold and Daffodil apparently!! Anyway, I was wondering whether it's worth trying to hatch any eggs from this combination. As any chicks would be half araucana would they lay blue/green eggs? Would they do that silly "stop laying for the winter" nonsense? What are the issues with having chickens that haven't been vaccinated against all those worrying diseases? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Haven't got a clue! They could lay blue/green eggs, but what would you do with the cockerals? I'm sure someone on here would know about vaccinations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted October 28, 2007 Author Share Posted October 28, 2007 Aformentioned friend said he could "take care" of any boys for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Ooh, it might be worth a try! There's a chance you might get some blue layers. I think many small breeders don't vaccinate, because they are dealing with smaller numbers,and if hens won't be travelling to shows or markets there is less risk. How will you hatch them? Do you have an incubator? Let us know how you get on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted October 28, 2007 Author Share Posted October 28, 2007 Thanks Snowy, I was hoping you'd reply, I'd seen you have some araucana crosses from your sig. I'm not going to rush into it and do anything for the moment, so if I were to decide to go ahead I'd send GNR over there for another week. I don't have an incubator at the mo, but I was looking at an Rcom 3, as I'd only want a couple of chooks for myself and DS's school has one they used for hatching some chicks last spring. Or I could just go to Thornes and get 2 POL hybrids, far easier and less stressful!! I'd be gutted to do all that and end up with no hens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 I must admit, it would be far easier to go buy a couple more! I think the primary consideration when hatching has to be what to do with the boys - if you have covered that angle, and have the space, it would be fun to do, but time consuming - and you'd have a long wait to find out what colour eggs you'd get! My araucana crosses are not that straightforward I'm afraid. I think there has been some other things thrown in there too. It's just that the breeder had not come up with a 'brand name' for them and all I could remember of the various breeds used were the sussex and white star I'd love to have the time and space to experiment with breeding blue egg layers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
