Washingtonians - Page 288  

I bought a Little Giant Incubator off of craigslist earlier this fall, and I was very disappointed in it. It would not get any warmer than 86 degrees. I kept trying to turn up the temperature, and it finally came apart and now doesn't work. DH still might make it work, but I am not going to hold my breath. The bator looked to be nearly new when I bought it too.

So if you are wanting a bator, the Hovabator with a fan would be a better buy. I bought a used one, but as far as I can tell it was past its prime. I have gotten marginal success out of this older bator. I also keep hearing from different sources that it is a really good hobbyist bator, and even better with the fan and egg turner. So I think that I will keep my eye out for a new one on E-Bay.

This is just my experience with the first 2 incubators I have ever owned. But 2 out of 36 eggs and 1 out 11, is not a very good hatch rate in my book. It could still be the eggs, but I worry about that. I have read stories about better hatches with homemade bators than the one I have. I wish I could afford a really good bator.

Good morning Washington!
I forgot to tell you all yesterday that I went over to Ron's and he showed me that huge egg he was "crowing" about. It is by far the biggest egg I have EVER seen!!! My sex link lays some whoppers, but this was at least 1/3 bigger than my girls biggest egg. I felt really bad for her! She looked ok to me though.

Thanks for the treats Ron! The kids were ecstatic about the donuts! And Taz went on and on about the bull, I can't remember his name, how big he is and how friendly. Remember, add the yogurt to the oatmeal, your girls will love it! You can add the seasame seeds and the yogurt to the oatmeal together. Double the benefit.

Have a great day everyone!

Hi all! With this cold weather, I am going to put in the heat lamp. Where should it be? Above the roost or somewhere near the floor? Not sure where to keep the lamp to keep the girls happy.

Yesterday they came up to the deck to find the one big sunbeam. The wrangled for position for about an hour!

Thanks for the help!

brennant - ( Welcome! ) Yeah, I only get a beam of sun in my place for about an hour.

For me, the heatlamp goes right below the main perch that all the girls are at, right over the ground in a corner in the coop where my dearest needy girl is at (The Turken) That way, the other girls can huddle of they want, but otherwise the Turken sleeps there for warmth. The rest of the girls get their own warmth from each others ( no one really likes the turken much, poor girl )

So I would say somwhere near the floor. The coldest area is at floor level, and the remaining heat of it will rise to where they are.

That's pretty much what I do too.  My dark cornish is the one that is supposed to be the most heat challenged.... But she is heartier than I though she would be.  Anyway, I try to accomodate her as best I can, but of course they often vie for roost position based on the heat in the coop.

First night of insulation but no light at all, and I slept really well, so I don't know if I had any night time crows or not.  I will have to stay up later, or get up earlier tonight. 
Frostiness all over the yard... All water frozen with 1/2" of ice, I could harly break it.  2 morning brown eggs, still warm.... I think I have a new layer based on the appearance of the egg.  But who knows.

Ron, I forgot to say that the egg count for yesterday is 5 of 12.  3Br/2Gr

Just got done putting up more cardboard layers for insulation. Next summer I am putting in real insulation at least around the roosting area, and on the ceiling. The girls are running around on the frost coated grass, it was kind of funny to see their reaction  to everything being frosty. Wonder what they will do if it snows? I am now going to take some pictures of the babies and try to post them tonight. I am technologically challenged so I need hubby here to help. Stay Warm!!!

Kim

The cardboard is a good idea.  At the end of the season you just compost it.  I may add some of that to the inside.  It would probably be better than the hard walls inside to help lower the noise of my Roo's crow.

Egg status so far:  4 brown from my 3 reds and one of my BA's.  One Green egg so far, but it is a whopper from Willow.... Biggest yet.  Extra Large to Jumbo I would say, and I am hoping for double yolks.... My first of those.

So how about some pics of this enormous egg.  Maybe beside a normal size one to compare!  I am going to call you Ronnie Roo for all of the crowing you have done.  How do we really know that you didn't just pay off Kim to say she saw the egg.  It's a conspiracy I tell ya!  They are in cahoots!!!!

Whenever you have time with the pic of the babies Kim.  I can be patient some times.  Just not about Ron's egg!

typercy.

Yeah, it was sure cold this morning! I woke up early just to tend to the water and all, and behold - It was so cold out this morning that the girls didn't want to come out until the sun hit just the tiniest area nearby the coop. ( well, not the Wyandottes. They're the toughest chicken I have ever known, and were running about all day ) The water itself was so thick with ice and so cold that when I beat at it with a handshovel and exposed decent sized holes, then poured hot water over the rest of the ice - It froze over half an hour later. So, I gave up with that waterer, broke up the second one, refilled it, and set it up to be in direct sunlight. I think that the second one worked because it had a lot more water, and was plastic based, not metal. ( really, the water amount didn't count though - Even my 7x7 foot pond froze over.

weaveagraden

  LOL Ronnie roo huh???  my wife calls me "nuts,crazy& sick in the head" .  I am saving this egg. ALL who come to the Feb party will get to see it. I will bring it!! it is in the Fridge
  Maybe I can give it to Kim and she can posted it on her website. I don't know how  to do that stuff. but yes  we will put it beside a couple normal eggs.

I can come over sometime and take a picture of it next to a normal size one and a large one from my Sex link, and get a good comparison. Then I can post it for you on the thread. I just need my hubby for the transfer from camera to zip drive to my computer, then I am home free.

Going to be at the Hawk's game tomorrow in this freezing weather. I am hoping the ski cloths, hand and toe warmers will help keep me from hypothermia! Go Hawks!