Recent content by itkn

  1. itkn

    ISO Duck Hatching Eggs

    Hi! After much research, I've decided to add ducks to my homestead. I'm interested in a good forager for pest control that can also provide eggs and meat. I have a natural pond on my wooded property and plan to free range. Silver Appleyards are at the top of my list, but I'm also open to other...
  2. itkn

    Ended 14th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-Along—Cutest Baby Fowl Photo Contest—Win a Brinsea Incubator!

    I was worried about my broody hen accepting newly (incubator) hatched chicks. Well maybe I should have worried about her instead. I caught this little monster pecking his foster mom! 🤣
  3. itkn

    March 2023 hatch-a-long

    I gave newly hatched chicks to my broody hen last night. She seems to have accepted them. Of course there was a terrible thunderstorm in the middle of the night that woke me up in a panic, but they all made it through safely!
  4. itkn

    March 2023 hatch-a-long

    Ok it's starting to get crowded! 11 hatched so far. I may take out the fluffy ones so the other half have some room.
  5. itkn

    March 2023 hatch-a-long

    5 chicks hatched so far! Several more pips.
  6. itkn

    March 2023 hatch-a-long

    I'm expecting chicks to start hatching tomorrow. I've got my broody hen set up on our porch in a dog kennel (chick starter, water and grit just outside of frame in the photo). Hopefully she accepts the chicks! She's been a dedicated broody so far.
  7. itkn

    Icelandics vs Swedish Flower Hens

    Here's some of my flock. The highest roost I built for them is probably about 6' high. Well, you can see a few started roosting up in the rafters, so I put a wider board up there for them to make sure their get would stay covered in freezing temps.
  8. itkn

    Icelandics vs Swedish Flower Hens

    I started a flock of Icelandics last year and they've been great! I wouldn't say they are the right bird for confinement, but mine don't really fly that much. They can fly over a 4' poultry net fence if they want to though. I mostly let them free range. They've never roosted in the trees but...
  9. itkn

    March 2023 hatch-a-long

    Here's a photo from candling a couple nights ago. They are going on day 14 this afternoon.
  10. itkn

    March 2023 hatch-a-long

    I haven't done this myself, but you can use pedigree bags, or baskets to keep them separate in the hatcher.
  11. itkn

    March 2023 hatch-a-long

    That's part of the fun! I would probably candle more, but I've had a couple close calls and one damaged egg for my clumsiness. Thankfully I managed to save the egg (and now beautiful pullet) with beeswax.
  12. itkn

    March 2023 hatch-a-long

    Same here! My chickens lay white eggs so I can see development really early on just by holding the flashlight to them. I don't handle them or take them out at all.
  13. itkn

    March 2023 hatch-a-long

    I have a NR360 and my manual says press and hold the "menu" and "-" button together for 5 seconds. Mine beeps very loudly when reset. I'm not sure why they made the beep so loud on these things! Hope it works for you.
  14. itkn

    March 2023 hatch-a-long

    Of course after setting eggs in the incubator one of my hens has gone broody! I'm thinking if she keeps it up I'll see if she'll accept the chicks once they hatch.
  15. itkn

    March 2023 hatch-a-long

    Completely understandable! Shipped eggs are so stressful. I think you'll still get a hatch though. As an alternative to a generator, I plug my incubator into a backup UPS (like what you'd plug your desktop computer into). It's gotten my hatches through a few power outages without interruption...
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