There can be some variables, time of year, ages of cocks, or even the type of comb and breed. But its common to wait 2 weeks and be reasonably assured of the sire. Some rosecomb breeds have a less vigourous sperm so they can be 'overpowered' by a breed with another comb type, I have never known this in the Hamburg breed, it is a opossibility in Wyandottes and others. Older cocks may be less fertile than cockerels and younger cocks and thus their sperm could over ride the old guys. When daylight is in decline many cocks will be less fertile. In some matings it is easy to differentiate when the chicks hatch and the un needed ones can be culled. Go with the 2 weeks.

Sounds like he is really enjoying life. Besides what you have listed, you might give gift cert. from local grocery stores, restruants, and if you feel you would like him to "update" his clothes, a gift cert. from his favorite shop, like Penny's Sears, etc. Also a couple of pictures of the new grandson with/without GP. Does he write letters" maybe some note cards. Both KMart, Walmart and Hallmark have really nice ones. Also check K Mart in the card department, sometimes they have really cute stationary pads that all you do is fill out the blanks, or put check marks. Marie

Here is another fascinating one from that time period. It is a story of a German pilot who allowed a gravely disabled plane to make it back to base and even escorted it part of the way. A very remarkable story that my son read this year. Here is a link that might be useful: A Higher Call

Giving a gift is something you do because you WANT to, and I think it says a lot that your DD feels comfortable asking you to take her shopping to get her stepsister and dad a gift. I also understand why you reminded her to get SM something, it teaches her to think of others feelings, etc. though I'm not sure I would push much if she said she didn't want to get certain people gifts if she had an acceptable reason. As for your family, when they family say something like that, I'd tell them that I understand what they mean but if you stoop to dad's level and refuse to take your DD shopping, the only person that will be hurt by it is your DD. Besides, you are teaching her to be a better person. I wouldn't worry so much about showing her whether you are accepting of the situation, etc. You are showing her that you care about HER feelings, despite your own. I used to take my exBF's kids shopping for their mother on her birthday, mother's day & Christmas. I would also save the things they made in school for "mom" and put them in a box so when she rolled into town once a year, she had all the stuff they made her over the year, along with school pictures & presents. I didn't like nor dislike her. She wasn't around to know much about her except she chose drugs & her boyfriend over sticking around to raise her kids, but the kids wanted to give mom that stuff & it meant something to them so that is what I did for them. Now with SD, it's a totally different scenario. In the early years, I took her shopping for her mom. I also got BF's kids and SD's sister things too for Christmas. I made BM a scrapbook with pictures from all of SD's Christmases. It was my attempt to be friendly with BM. As things progressively got worse with BM & SD over the years, I stopped shopping for BM but still bought BF's kids things. I stopped shopping for SD's sister after she wrote nasty things about me on a social network. and this year, I have decided to give SD one gift for me & let DH do the rest of the shopping for SD. AS for taking SD shopping for her mom or anyone else, DH has always said no but didn't care if I did it. Of course, I agree that if the child earns money, they can spend it how they choose. I offered SD a job over the summer & she said she wanted to but never did it. Since now she isn't talking to me, she can't exactly discuss payment for chores with me and DH is not interested in paying her to do anything... he can't even get her to do her basic chores. Amber is right, you are teaching her something so valuable and hopefully your family will come to see it. On the other hand, if your DD asks dad to take her shopping for you but he refuses, then he will have to deal with the consequences... and your daughter will know who is cooperative and who is not.