Oh my!!! I got a new phone and for THE LONGEST TIME, I couldn't get this site to recognize me or change my password! I am BACK!!!
I hope all are well. There is no way I'm reading everything I've missed. My update...lots of predators, sold all but 1 Jubilee pullet, excited for my Creles, have...
@Kassaundra sorry to hear of your loss.
Dry incubation peeps, do you think the crazy long days of rain (and therefore high humidity) would be enough to mess up a hatch? I had two excellent totally dry hatches. Then the one due yesterday resulted in 4 (out of 16) dead in shell just like I was...
@All, what age do you butcher heritage breeds? Orpingtons in particular. Is 13 weeks WAY too early? I don't care if I have to use two for a meal, but would like at least SOME meat on the bone.
Many things, not gonna quote...
I didn't add ANY water, Brinsea Eco 20 (so it has a fan). It truly seemed more natural. They fluffed up quickly, I could grab them when I needed, and cleanup was a breeze. I don't plan to ever buy a larger incubator, so I am thrilled with this outcome. But I do...
I just had my very first extremely successful totally dry hatch. 17 of 18 hatched. The 1 stopped around day 18. Zero water, grabbed chicks here and there without worrying too much, easy clean-up. Now, yes, I will check air cell size from time to time, but I am HOOKED.
Chicken math has morphed...
I thought you all might like to see my Jubilees! I reduced down my girls to my three best, put them with my biggest boy, and produced pullets like the second picture. I can't wait for the ones that are really "mine" to mature.
I should have some Barnevelders early this week. I'd love to give some to 4H kids. I grew up in 4H. It's how I know which side of the plate a fork goes, how to sew, how to cook, and how to run a proper meeting! Feel free to pass on my info to him or vice versa.
I want a chocolate! I am growing out a black boy split to lavender and chocolate, so bred to a lavender (apparently the ONE I'll have) should/could produce one for me, as well as black and lavender.
Olive a Egger comb.
On all pullets...talked to someone today who took five chicks from the same hatch...all girls. I believe it had something to do with something I did during incubation. That was winter time and I was having a difficult time getting better than 60% to hatch! had a lot of...
I will post pics tomorrow. I'm so glad your Jubilee made the cut! I kept two new ones. Unbelievably, from my very first hatch, ALL were girls. No joke. I kept them for 12 weeks because I kept thinking one MUST be a boy.
My first olive egg! I didn't think she carried the blue gene, so my Ameraucanas may be pure after all! Her comb isn't a peacomb, but it's not exactly like a Marans either.
My Jubilees are laying again. Fertility is back up after bum trims. I don't want any more for myself (actually sold a few...
@Ashtree Yay! Ducklings and goslings! Your kids are going to have a blast with them this summer. It makes me wish I had started this ten years ago when I could have molded my kids into chicken lovers. :) I do catch my 18 yo son watching the chicks sometimes, but I have to rely on my daughter's...
Oh, Ash, I am so heartbroken to hear this today of all days. It reminds me of my "Great Weasel Attack off 2014." I am not a crier, and I BAWLED. @Kyzmette is absolutely spot on in her comment.
I wish I had ducklings to give you. Call/text tomorrow if you need ANYTHING.
Sorry to hear about your duckling. It's tough to lose a favorite! I need to build a pond. I want ducks again!
@Loriemarler, our dogs generally aren't too interested in our chickens. BUT like yours, when the opportunity arises, they jump on it. Hate that it happened to you.
I finished a coop...
Lovely artwork. :)
On terminology...if you said things like "little oblong thing that the baby bird comes out of" or "pointy red thing on their head, I might think you're not totally educated on your poultry terminology, but "Roo?" I think you're fine. But maybe that's just me.