Recent content by Volkova

  1. Volkova

    Tips for newbies. Everyone join in! :)

    I experienced the same with my brinsea 20 Eco incubator, but 99.3 is still a perfect temperature. Small temperature changes are natural. The turning does adjust the thermometer readings, but as long as it doesn't go below 93 degrees for an extended period of time, everything should be fine.
  2. Volkova

    Tips for newbies. Everyone join in! :)

    Oh, I remembered something I read once and I've managed to find it out for those considering whether to incubate or use a broody hen: ""While hens are naturally able to incubate and hatch out eggs well, artificial incubation done correctly leads to a much more successful hatch rate: Average...
  3. Volkova

    Tips for newbies. Everyone join in! :)

    Hmm. I'm a teenager, so I'm no chicken guru/wise man but I've done about 9 hatches so far and read 6 books on chicks/chickens. Here's my long list of perhaps pointless tips and advice. Enjoy! 1) Invest in a ecoglow brooder from Brinsea. It's so much better for the chicks and I found that they...
  4. Volkova

    Today's temperature = # of eggs.

    We had a high of 8 degrees today.. Celsius of course! It's never cold in the UK (nor hot for that matter), but it sure does rain. I collected 53 eggs from my 93 birds in total today. Good to see them laying again and productivity increasing after a cold and snowy winter (well... for British...
  5. Volkova

    Lost a lady today.

    I'm so sorry for your loss! It's so strange how we develop close relations with our chickens. I, personally have had an unfortunate relationship with chickens, and I'm only a teenager! (Sad story alert! Sorry about the length) Last summer, I started up my own chicken business, selling eggs...
  6. Volkova

    Thinkin about some silkies...

    Sorry, to put a downer in the conversation but I strongly recommend you do NOT put Silkies in with other chickens. I had a large mixed flock of fairly tame chickens and decided to put 4 tame Silkies in there (like you, to add a little variety!) but I was disappointed as the Silkies were forced...
  7. Volkova

    Leaving a hen and her chicks in the same pen as others hens

    Hi there! I would not recommend you put the broody hen with the others. First of all, roosters can distract the hen quite easily by bothering and jumping in the nest box too, so that may be an issue and break the eggs. Secondly, roosters could kill the chicks, but they tend to be more docile...
  8. Volkova

    Baby Leghorn Behavior

    Hi there! I wouldn't threat about it now, all my chicks kick and scratch the food and shavings into the water and kick the water into the shavings. It's a pain but because the Leghorn is an older breed and more flighty/aggressive, it's naturally more active and curious. Chicks are born with...
  9. Volkova

    Am I the only one whose chicks think I am a terrible monster? :(

    Hi there. Don't be concerned about chicks being scared. Personally, from my hatches, I recommend you do the following: 1) Don't pick them up for now. 2) Sit with them or put your hand in their brooder. Be patient and they will soon come out to investigate. Chicks learn from each other...
  10. Volkova

    Please Help me Choose Which to Use

    Hi there. It's a shame your hatches haven't been successful. Keep trying. Personally, I am a big fan of Brinsea Incubators. Last year, I put 12 eggs in (4 Polish, 6 Leghorns, 2 Buff Sussex) in the Semi-Automatic incubator. It is a forced air one. It was very good, although someone left the...
  11. Volkova

    Advice about which breed I should choose next?

    Wow, great pics! They are really pretty. I really like the hen, she looks amazing. I did some research today, since it's a snow day!, and have found out that Houdans were actually profilic layers in France and were used for meat and egg. I'm starting to warm to them. I will definitely take them...
  12. Volkova

    Advice about which breed I should choose next?

    See, I was thinking Wyandotte, they certainly look pretty and hardy, especially the laced ones. However, I haven't heard much about them from others in my area and they are quite rare. From this site, the reviews tell me they are quite aggressive and can attack (especially the roosters, but I'm...
  13. Volkova

    Advice about which breed I should choose next?

    Thanks for the suggestion. I have heard many good things about Plymouth Rocks. I usually like ornamental breeds or dual purpose, but since I'm starting to sell eggs my current birds are struggling to keep up. An egg layer, like the Plymouth Rock, is what need! :) The Houdan seems interesting...
  14. Volkova

    Advice about which breed I should choose next?

    OK, at the end of next month, it's hatching season at my farm. I currently have 2 White Leghorn hens, 2 British Black Tailed Araucana Hens, a couple of Orpingtons, a Silkie couple. I am building a brand new shed/coop for some new chickens this season, and it will hopefully fit 10-15. Anyway, I...
  15. Volkova

    Should I crossbreed?

    I have a Buff Orpington cockerel and hen who currently live with 2 Araucana hens (tailed/no tufts) in one of my pens. I see the cockerel mating often with the hens and he is a great bird. The Araucanas are laying brilliantly too! I want to get some new chicks for my incubator after a fox raided...
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