A Box of Monsters

[BlueBaby]

Here are Lucy and Ethel in their new digs. They've decided the grass is tasty. Once they settle in, they can explore the yard some. View attachment 3206876

P. S. They're happy to have a break from those horny roosters!

Yes , but the egg's should be fertile right now.

 

[Stacaroni]

:::Total containment failure occurred at approximately 6:40 a.m. Reconfiguration of containment measures are underway.:::

Not only were the chickens not separated, they managed to hatch a coordinated mass escape. It was a lovely surprise to be greeted at the back door when I got up.

There was also another egg - this time inside the coop. I'll be collecting them for a few days to possibly hatch but there are limited incubator spaces and no broody hens.

 

[BlueBaby]

:::Total containment failure occurred at approximately 6:40 a.m. Reconfiguration of containment measures are underway.:::

Not only were the chickens not separated, they managed to hatch a coordinated mass escape. It was a lovely surprise to be greeted at the back door when I got up.

There was also another egg - this time inside the coop. I'll be collecting them for a few days to possibly hatch but there are limited incubator spaces and no broody hens.

Your lucky that you didn't loose any of them during the escape. At least you now know where the weak spot's are at.

Have you candled the one's that you have in the incubator? If you can see any growth in those, you can take them out. That will give you more incubator room. I have done split hatches before, and it look's like I'll be doing one again this time myself.

 

[Stacaroni]

Your lucky that you didn't loose any of them during the escape. At least you now know where the weak spot's are at.

Have you candled the one's that you have in the incubator? If you can see any growth in those, you can take them out. That will give you more incubator room. I have done split hatches before, and it look's like I'll be doing one again this time myself.

Yes, thankfully they were content to stay within the grassy area around the coop/run. I don't think they can fly high enough to get out of the fenced yard. They now have the whole run and are sharing it fairly peacefully with the addition of several visual barriers.

We've removed 3 eggs that were either clear or had blood rings. There's still one questionable egg but I'm not ready to give up on it yet. That leaves 4 open spaces unless I stack them. How feasible is it to have two sets of eggs in the incubator at the same time? Hatch dates would be about 2 weeks apart.

 

[BlueBaby]

Yes, thankfully they were content to stay within the grassy area around the coop/run. I don't think they can fly high enough to get out of the fenced yard. They now have the whole run and are sharing it fairly peacefully with the addition of several visual barriers.

We've removed 3 eggs that were either clear or had blood rings. There's still one questionable egg but I'm not ready to give up on it yet. That leaves 4 open spaces unless I stack them. How feasible is it to have two sets of eggs in the incubator at the same time? Hatch dates would be about 2 weeks apart.

That's what would be called a split hatch, It can be done. I did it before when I just had my styrofoam Little Giant incubator to do my hatches in. At lockdown on the first batch, I would put my second batch in an egg carton in there to keep the hatcher's from playing bowling ball with them. I am now using my HR 360 incubator that can hold 22 egg's in it, but I still have my old Styrofoam one, so I can use that one to separate the 2 batches when one is ready to hatch.

 

[Stacaroni]

Is it OK for the younger eggs not to be turned while the others are in lockdown?

 

[BlueBaby]

Here's a link that will tell you the best about that. Like I said, I do have 2 incubator's that can be used when I have to put one set of egg's into lockdown. You only have that small incubator that you got from me. https://www.cacklehatchery.com/using-two-incubators-to-optimize-egg-hatching/

 

[Fwoof]

Chicken math is in full swing here so it seems an appropriate time to start this thread.

We brought home our first box of monsters April 29. 3 Easter Eggers, 1 Olive Egger and a Buff Orpington. They surprised us with their charm and grace.

View attachment 3195712

The beasts outgrew their brooder quickly. Before long, they were spending their days lounging in the sun.

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Yes, they have their own beach towel. Mostly because it's now covered in poop.

They grew SO fast! It seemed to happen over night. One of them is obviously from a famous family.

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Of course now they're almost hens and have a place of their own.

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Then chicken math took hold. I received a box of monster eggs in the mail! Who knew such a thing was possible? Thankfully, I had an incubator ready to go.

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A mere three days later, I was informed there was another package for me at the post office. This time, a box of live, noisy monsters had been sent. 3 Australorps, 2 Dark Brahmas and 2 Speckled Sussex.

View attachment 3195753

I hope this is all of them. They are entertaining but we only have room for so many.

TOOOOO CUUUUUTE!

 

[Stacaroni]

Here's a link that will tell you the best about that. Like I said, I do have 2 incubator's that can be used when I have to put one set of egg's into lockdown. You only have that small incubator that you got from me. https://www.cacklehatchery.com/using-two-incubators-to-optimize-egg-hatching/

Thanks!!!

 

[Stacaroni]

Lucy and Ethel are settling in and seem to be getting along with the pullets.

The babies are growing like weeds. I'm going to take them outside to play in the grass tomorrow.

The eggs are all wiggling. At least I think I've seen each one move. They all look alike.