5 more hatched! I'm at 15/21! Now the question is where to put all these chicks (and the next batch I will undoubtedly want to hatch) when they're all full grown? Lol
So excited it's day 21 of my 1st hatch! Started with 23 eggs in my Brinsea Eco 20. 14 were shipped eggs from my pet chicken (vibrant egg layers). The rest were mixed eggs from my own flock.
On day 18 I threw out 2 clear eggs - all other developed fully and showed movement! Very impressed...
If you will google "Molting chickens" you can see how terrible some chickens look when they go through it. It is nothing to worry about! Also, the mating may look rough, but it is really fine. Don't worry unless you see them bleeding or acting really strange (like hunkered down in the...
Thanks for the update. I also believe my chicks were infected with an E. Coli bacteria, based on the symptoms. I did not hatch them myself, but bought them as day olds from a local breeder. I only bought 4, but 3 died within a week (while I had 15 other healthy and thriving chicks from...
Roosters have nothing to do with laying. Is it possible they are laying their eggs outside somewhere where you don't see them? Also, 12-18 months is around the time of first molt when they will take off a few months of laying. Unfortunately, you probably just have to wait until they are...
Some people use colored zip ties or specifically made poultry leg bands. It shouldn't be all that hard to tell them apart, though, unless they're all the same breed.
What kind of food are you feeding? You said "starter" food. That will not do for a laying age hen. You should be feeding a layer food, or you can feed a general purpose flockraiser food and supply crushed oyster shell or egg shells on the side free choice. Also, you may want to cut back on...
Oh okay. Then I would give them a roost around 2-3 weeks old. Sometimes I just take a 2x4 and set it upright on the ground. They don't have to be very high up.