Recent content by PECULIARPETE

I partially agree with the "resident" preadators in the area. Also that it is kinda true in some areas that the more coyotes that are eradicated, there always seems to be more that show up to take their place. It's just the cycle of available territory. On the other side of the coin. I strongly...

Great Pyrenees are good dogs to keep watch over a flock, but sometimes they tend to wander. So you might not see them for a couple days if they get out of your yard area. I've hunted coyotes for years using distress calls and had a lot of success. But it seems that when trying to control the...

I've been putting down lime that I had leftover from stuccoing my house. It helps keep the smell and the flies down. A 50# bag is only a couple bucks, I put down about a coffee can full once a week. Most of my problem is that I've got 4 Muscovey ducks, a drake and 3 hens in with my chickens...

If your eggs are pretty dirty I wouldn't even try to hatch them. Slightly dirty eggs can be gently buffed with a worn scrubbie pad. In order to clean dirty eggs you would be washing off what's called the bloom on fresh eggs that's acts a a barrier acts against bacteria passing thru the porus...

I'm pretty sure that still air incubators run at about 102. Anything higher than 103 will cook your eggs. I've used a small PC fan with a phone charger. But I found a universal power supply that ranges from 4.5vdc output up to 12vdc. That can be used to change fan speeds. I think you'll have...

This is the most reliable incubator I've used so far. It's 60 years old, made entirely out of redwood, the tray sides are cedar, the hygrometer cistern is original, and the manual is like new. Leahy Mfg. really turned out a simple and efficient incubator. Maybe that's why they named it "Ol...

Humidity is a good thing as long as there's ventilation. A fan to keep air circulating has always worked best for me. A shallow pie pan or coffee lid with a paper towel in it will wick away the moisture and aid in the evaporation process. Combined with heat, and viola! We have humidity. Lol. I...

I've got a Leahy Ol Favorite that is in mint condition. The operating manual is dated 1953. I've got everything for it, even the hygrometer cistern, the wire egg holders and turners. It uses a dual wafer thermostat. I set 12 dozen barny's in it for a test run, culled 15 at 1st candle. Then 6...

My coop was 8'x16' too. I started with treated 3/4" exterior plywood, then I painted it with a rubberized paint used on mobile homes, and motorhome roofs. I painted the floor, and the foot plate of the walls. This sealed everything very well. I've used the deep liter method and have had...

I use wood pellets and I think its better than shavings. I just turn it over with a 3 prong cultivator and there's no smell or flies. also unless it gets real wet, it doesnt need to be changed but twice a year.

I wouldn`t beat yourself up about it. Quail just do that sometimes? they all look fine then just start dying? Did you start them on a medicated starter? It happens, I`ve heard of breeders losing a whole bunch more than five. As far as fertility goes I read and tried and it seems to work is to...

More than likly you need a permit. Out here we have 2 types, a hobby permit which allows up to fifty birds total aggregate for quail pheasant n such. then there is a breeder permit so you can buy and sell birds, and eggs etc. Check with your local DNR. If you apply they may come out to inspect...

I have a brooder I made out of plywood, the top opens up from the center, and I cut 2 12 x12 windows in the tops and covered them with 1/2x1/2 hardware cloth. I can keep a red light over one half and access their feed and water thru the other side. since they tend to stay closer to the light I...

I just love it when they start ahatchin out. I did a hundred of em one time and they busted out all over the place! they look like bugs. Congrats on a good hatch