A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[R2elk]

Thank you, R2elk!

I think they have had sufficient time now to settle and certainly to warm up. Outside temp today is currently 85 plus and the room the eggs are in is probably about 79 (was cooler this morning on the East Coast). Since my "special" incubator has not yet arrived (by Thursday), I am going to just lay them on their sides in the still air incubator and take the time to turn them. The new one has an egg turner, but not sure if I will use it yet (comments welcomed!)

Part of the confusion for me is that I have never pre-candled eggs before incubation and had mostly Never candled eggs during the incubation period. Ever. Partly old school and maybe a tad bit of ignorance for that. lol. Still, I have had great hatches for the most part. Of course, most of those eggs were my own or very local - not shipped from PA, NC, or ME like I have done more recently.

When I did candle these yesterday evening, I only picked up each one once, used the candler, detected nothing outstanding, did so gently and put them back in the egg crate.

Your comments and advice are greatly appreciated!

Unless there is an off odor coming from the incubator, the only time that I candle is to weed out infertile, early deaths, etc. at the time I am taking the eggs from the incubator and putting them into the hatcher.

There is nothing wrong with candling at other times although I don't see much point in candling 28 day eggs before day 10.

 

[Flashpoint]

Flashpoint....your not needy, good questions! Mine have a 16x16 combo coop and run. The back one fourth has boards on two sides and the back. That's were their roosts are. It's for a wind block during the winter, or tornado! Its completely covered with a corrugated roof. But they free range all day and are only in there at night, or to lay an egg, or if I need to confine them for some reason. I have to lick up Daisy when I mow or am hosting an event involving food. They will steal food off people's plates.

lol Memphis - Does Daisy taste good when you lick her? (I knew you meant pick).

All my birds have access to the big shed and partly to the older one. The older shed is just a box built on top of a 4 x 8' metal frame with a coop ramp, slanted roof, and 3 rows of roosting bars, fronted with a raised door that I can shut. It has 3 nesting boxes in it that the ducks are more apt to use now.

My big shed is approx 20 x 20 - with 3 rooms and a tin roof. The front wall is actually double-walled with the outside boards running vertically and the inside horizontally. REALLY helps when we get the big winds here. The back side of the shed has an added 10-12 foot section with a roof and covered on two sides. Where the extension is, there is a wall with a door at the front of that part with a door covered entirely with hardware cloth, a dog kennel panel on one side and an open hardware cloth area on the other. The last side is the part that is the actual shed with a doorway. Hope that makes sense.

OH, and I forgot to add in the fact (duh and I fought two years to get it there) that I added a pretty large camper (about 17 feet long) to the back fence of the new run. This is supposed to be my turkey house - unless I change my mind and use for the chickens instead. The turkeys might be more comfortable inside the wooden shed. However, once the run top is covered - the turkeys can stay outside if they want to. I have already had a tree cut down and I am planning on "mounting" it in such a way that they can roost in/on it.

 

[R2elk]

That's why I haven't decided on what my roof cover will be. Parts of my original run are covered in 1-inch chicken netting. I have been trying to decide whether to use that over this big run or to use some sort of netting. That said, I do want it to last as long as possible.

I know I have eagles, hawks, crows, ravens, owls, and assorted other birds. I also have possum, raccoons, fox, bobcat, cougars, bears - and apparently the fisher cat is back. I am trying to be as protective of the birds as I can, but I also realize there may not be any stopping of some of these critters if they are intent on making an entrance.

Depending on how much you want to spend, the 2" heavy duty knotted netting should do very well and last a very long time.

Unfortunately I used the non knotted type and after 30+ years it is in need of repairs.

 

[R2elk]

lol Memphis - Does Daisy taste good when you lick her? (I knew you meant pick).

Nope, she meant lock up.

 

[Flashpoint]

Depending on how much you want to spend, the 2" heavy duty knotted netting should do very well and last a very long time.

Unfortunately I used the non knotted type and after 30+ years it is in need of repairs.

I'm 68. I hope to live to be (OR LONGER) 101 like my granny.

Will check out the knotted netting, R2elk - thank you.

 

[Flashpoint]

I also hang box fans around the coop/run thing during the summer.

Memphis - I do not even own a box fan, but I have one of these and I am not afraid to use it. But it might blow Tommie's feathers off. hehe

 

[memphis]

As hot & humid as it gets down here....the whole flock lives a box fan! Me & Daisy sharing one...

 

[duluthralphie]

Memphis - I do not even own a box fan, but I have one of these and I am not afraid to use it. But it might blow Tommie's feathers off. heheView attachment 1824576

I use one of them most of the summer.

 

[duluthralphie]

Is this a mottled?

 

[CindyinSD]

Aw

I use one of them most of the summer.

Wow, she looks so happy, Memphis!