5th Annual BYC New Year's Day 2014 Hatch-A-Long

[Blarneyeggs]

I have peeps

Yay!!!!

 

[Aphrael]

I have peeps

Yay!!

 

[Myfourladies]

I think I'm getting sick, Oh no, I went over to my BF's sisters house on Christmas and her husband was spreading the holiday sickness like we all wanted it for a gift....Now I can't stop coughing, that is what he had and I have to work on new years eve and new years day (actually signed up to work double time and holiday pay for both days, can't pass that up)

I feel ya, as I mouth breath and sneeze. LOL I am using hand sanitizer and extra measures everytime I open the incubator to turn eggs. I am sure my sickness wouldn't effect with the eggs but I am not taking a chance.

 

[Elliemae 77]

e Yay!! 

X2! Congrats!!

 

[Whoops]

I have peeps

 

[SilkieSensation]

 


I like to wait so will lockdown late Sunday or Monday morning.

[COLOR=4B0082]So do chickens go into lockdown on the 18th day? Just wondering why when hatching in an incubator it goes into lockdown. I also wonder about humidity. Chickens can't adjust humidity right? The rules for incubating just doesn't make since to me lol. Even though I do follow the guidelines.[/COLOR]

Yes, broody hens go into lockdown & contril humidity by not raising up off of the eggs during hatch.

Didn't expect it but duck eggs starting showing up 2 days ago. Not sure Pekin or Muscovy, but 90% sure they are duck.

Now if they are Pekin they are more than likeltyfertile, and if they are muscovy about 50% chance they could be fertile . Adopted the muscovies about 2 weeks ago and the family weadopted from had a drake muscovy as well.

These are weighing a little light (72-76 grams) where Pekin eggs I've had shipped are normally mid 80 grams.. so I'm assuming these are Muscovy eggs..

Time for FLUFFY omelets!

Easiest way to tell is try to write on them wirh a pencil. Pekin eggs are porous with a chalky exterior & pencil will write on them well & be nice & dark. Scovy eggs are waxy & very glossy. Pencil writes on them poorly & is usually very light or blotchy where it misses spots. Scovies will have a waxy look to them & tend to be more grey whereas pekins will look papery & perfectly white unless they have gotten dirty.

 

[COLOR=4B0082]So do chickens go into lockdown on the 18th day? Just wondering why when hatching in an incubator it goes into lockdown. I also wonder about humidity. Chickens can't adjust humidity right? The rules for incubating just doesn't make since to me lol. Even though I do follow the guidelines.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=800080]My broody goes into  lockdown a couple of days before a hatch. Nothing on Earth will move her. She will not eat, drink, or defecate until every last chick hatches...thus the horrendous Broody Poo afterwards. So, I would say yes a hen goes into lockdown.[/COLOR]

Yep...the dreaded "broody poo." LOL

 

[SoManyHats]

 I use medicated, because I'm a thrifty spender. Seriously, that's my only reason why. There's no health-related reason, in my opinion, to feed medicated...they aren't exposed to cocci until they are outside.

A 50 lb bag of medicated starter is $15.50 at my local Southern States. A 25 lb bag of non-medicated is $9.00 (they don't sell it in 50 lb bags). So if I buy 2 of the non-medicated, it would be $18.00. I save $2.50 by buying the medicated. 

Stupid reason, I know...but with a brand new house, I need to pinch pennies wherever and whenever I can 

You should consider though that you are giving your chicks medication they don't need, which affects their immune systems.

 

[MontanaDolphin]

You should consider though that you are giving your chicks medication they don't need, which affects their immune systems.

I understand what you mean, completely. That being said, I gave my 12 chicks the medicated when I got them back in February of last year. Those that are left (all cockerels went to freezer camp, which left me with 8) are now 10 months old, and have never had so much as a sniffle. I believe that if you keep your water clean, coop clean, and allow them to free-range, you will have a healthy chicken...and those are the practices I follow

 

[chickengirl1193]

okay thank you guys! I guess I can get non medicated and get corrid if necessary. what percent protein should they have in the beginning?

 

[SoManyHats]

You do not need medicated until they are exposed to the dirt or coccidiosis http://www.urbanfarmonline.com/urban-livestock/chickens/chicken-diseases.aspx

It is possible to have the parasite in your Brooder if it was not cleaned from an earlier hatch.

Cocci are present everywhere, and medication isn't needed for healthy chicks living in a healthy environment (inside or outside), as they will build up an immunity by exposure. Also, if brooding in deep litter, it's actually best not to clean it out from a previous hatch, as beneficial bacteria will thrive in the brooder, giving the next set of chicks additional strength to their immune systems.

ETA: if a chick experiences coccidiosis and its flock mates do not, it indicates a weakness, and should not be used to breed.