4th Annual BYC NYD Hatch-a-long

[gryeyes]

Given that I am so freaking good at hatching cockerels and I've assured the neighbors I won't keep more than 2 roosters (please don't count, I am usually at least one rooster over the limit most times) I decided to stop incubating. <I>*[sniff]</b>

But I finally could not resist coming here to see how things are getting along. (Now that I've marked my spot, I'm gonna go back to the beginning to read all the posts.

HOWEVER, one of my bantams went broody earlier this month and she may hatch around NY....

 

[Brechin]

Since I'm expecting lots more birds this year we are working on diy chicken feeders made from things we have on hand.
This is a test run, if it works well then we'll make 6 or 7 of them, otherwise we'll tweek the design till it works.

The main point (besides spending $0 , is to have it hold 2-3 days of feed which will stay dry & get eatten not wasted (spilled etc).

So this is a homemade version of the $20 standard hanging style chicken feeder.






Made from 1x2litter bottle, 1xlarge coffee can, 1x 2 gal bucket w/ lib (food grade gotten free at doughnut shop), 1 wire clothing hanger (free bucket plastic handles break off instantly on use), 1x 2inch self tapping metal roofing screw which we had on hand, one DH w/ misc. tool & 40 mins time.

It will need to hand in a basically dry area, no rain or snow, but it should keep a 2-3 day supply of feed safe from minor dampness and useable.
FeyRaine

I love that feeder! I am a big fan of re-using and using materials on hand. It just makes so much sense! My coop at home is made of pallets and leftover 2 x 4s and OSB. And the siding is all fence panels. But it looks cute My run is made of old pallet pieces and left over 4 x 8. Looks like a dang mess but it stands up to strong wind and keeps the critter out and the chickies in. LOVE YOUR FEEDER!!

Getting closer to NYD hatch time, but at the same time seems so FAR away!

Just got done building a new door for the coop since this winter storm decided to rip it off the coop and wreck the old one. This one is sturdier and will look great painted barn red with white trim when I repaint the coop in the spring. Think it turned out pretty good and the dimensions are actually exactly what I started off planning for, which is a plus. LOL

I wish I could make something as beautiful and simple as the door you made! Most of my stuff, while sturdy and useful, looks like some adolescent troll used a big rock and some tree bark to build things for me. I get asked a lot by my husband "How do you plan to make <insert item here>?" to which I reply "TWIGS AND SPIT MAN!! TWIGS AND SPIT!!"

 

[Brechin]

CHICK UPDATE:

So all of my chicks are doing well eating and drinking and generally frolicking. But I noticed just about an hour ago that one chick was sort of hopping along and not standing up straight like all the others. I picked her (I think she is based on tip wing feathers) and her toes were all WONKY! I did a quick internet search and discovered that she has Curly Toes.

There were a few ways to correct this so that is why OPERATION UN-CURLY TOES commenced!

We made a little cardboard sandal in the general shape that her toes needed to be in. Then I taped on little pieces of toothpick. After I had the little sandal splinted and ready to go, we put her toes onto the sandal and I taped her toes next to the toothpick as straight and flat as I could. She is able to walk around better than she was before but time will tell if I helped or not. I HOPE I HELPED!!

 

[Razadia]

Raz my hubs Moms side of the family is all from Montgomery, I so need to visit sometime!

You're welcome to come visit any time Sally!

 

[SleepyOwl]

CHICK UPDATE:

So all of my chicks are doing well eating and drinking and generally frolicking. But I noticed just about an hour ago that one chick was sort of hopping along and not standing up straight like all the others. I picked her (I think she is based on tip wing feathers) and her toes were all WONKY! I did a quick internet search and discovered that she has Curly Toes.

There were a few ways to correct this so that is why OPERATION UN-CURLY TOES commenced!

We made a little cardboard sandal in the general shape that her toes needed to be in. Then I taped on little pieces of toothpick. After I had the little sandal splinted and ready to go, we put her toes onto the sandal and I taped her toes next to the toothpick as straight and flat as I could. She is able to walk around better than she was before but time will tell if I helped or not. I HOPE I HELPED!!

I hope that helped! The pictures made me smile!

 

[Hurley]

CHICK UPDATE:

So all of my chicks are doing well eating and drinking and generally frolicking. But I noticed just about an hour ago that one chick was sort of hopping along and not standing up straight like all the others. I picked her (I think she is based on tip wing feathers) and her toes were all WONKY! I did a quick internet search and discovered that she has Curly Toes.

There were a few ways to correct this so that is why OPERATION UN-CURLY TOES commenced!

We made a little cardboard sandal in the general shape that her toes needed to be in. Then I taped on little pieces of toothpick. After I had the little sandal splinted and ready to go, we put her toes onto the sandal and I taped her toes next to the toothpick as straight and flat as I could. She is able to walk around better than she was before but time will tell if I helped or not. I HOPE I HELPED!!

I had a little chick in my very first set of chicks I got from a neighbor, one had crooked, curled up toes. I treated her much the same way. She was pretty severe, couldn't get up or move around at all. Photo below is right after I put on her shoes. She wore them for 5 or 6 days and was fine after that.





She went on to mature fine, had her for several years and never had a problem again with her toes.

 

[Brechin]

I had a little chick in my very first set of chicks I got from a neighbor, one had crooked, curled up toes. I treated her much the same way. She was pretty severe, couldn't get up or move around at all. Photo below is right after I put on her shoes. She wore them for 5 or 6 days and was fine after that.





She went on to mature fine, had her for several years and never had a problem again with her toes.

That is so awesome! I hope I did her little shoes right. I was a bit heavy handed with the soft ouch free surgical tape. But at least when the other chicks peck at her feet, which I anticipated, she won't be harmed. TOO MUCH TAPE! Thanks for your pictures! I feel much better now.

 

[ronott1]

Quote:

 

[chiqita]

Holy bad hatch rate batman! I knew with tj eggs great incubator omelette experiment, quail that were babies with roos not quite sure what to do and shipped eggs it wasn't going to be good, but I did a candling today and got 19 quail 19 chicken left. Out of a hair under 200. One entire set of 5 dz tjs eggs had zero development. So if you get tj eggs get them right off the dock and not after they have been in the cooler til 8 pm!

Other then that we have been staying home a lot dh still sick so we are missing the family stuff and it is pouring buckles out there. Its madness out there I'm glad I'm not driving. Kisses to all of you.

 

[Hurley]

Huh, good concept. Anyone ever use one?

(Probe embedded in synthetic egg to more accurately determine the likely internal temp of the eggs.)