Ameraucana thread for posting pictures and discussing our birds

[chickenman1973]

Maybe so im new at this lol

 

[bruceha2000]

Can someone please tell me if frozen eggs taste really bad scrambled? We scrambled a bunch this AM & they tasted bad. Their fresh but could have been frozen...sorry for the stupid question but this is my first winter with chickens....

HOW frozen? What was the texture of the yolk and white before you scrambled them? I had one last winter that was laid off the roost and had a 1/16" crack in the shell, membrane intact. It closed up when it thawed but when I cracked it open, the yolk was really thick, kind of like that of a hard boiled egg that is a bit liquid in the center. Not something I would have eaten so I don't know it the freezing changed the flavor as well as the structure.

My husband would certainly disagree with you but unfortunately you can't unsee once you have seen them. Yours are so beautiful. I am going to wait and see if I get any from my Lav's this year. I have no idea where I would put another pen. (My mind is saying, guuurrrlll, you got 150 acres and you don't know where you would put a pen???)

Not at all! Sure, you COULD put the coop a half mile from the house but then you wouldn't be able to oogle your birds. The "chicken TV" acreage is a LOT smaller.

 

[scflock]

First hatch of the year going into lockdown tomorrow!! 

I'm a bit disappointed in the viability of one of my black pens, but I'm sure it will get better with it warming up now.  My wheaten/blue wheaten pens have great viability! 

Can't wait to see little fluffy butts running. :cd

You hatching yet, Susan?

 

[rlhagan56]

FYI, Cackle Hatchery is now offering LF black Ameraucana chicks. They bought chicks from me to start their flock.

I just ordered some of those! Glad to hear where they came from! I am not into breeding or showing, just a backyard flock for egg color. First time I have ordered from a hatchery too.

 

[samouw]

You hatching yet, Susan?

Well, I don't think so. I'm not hearing any little pips or peeps out of the hatcher. Too hard to see inside and I have them inside baskets sitting in the trays, so I would have to open it to see. Not gonna do it! lol

 

[scflock]

Well, I don't think so. I'm not hearing any little pips or peeps out of the hatcher. Too hard to see inside and I have them inside baskets sitting in the trays, so I would have to open it to see. Not gonna do it! lol

Good girl

I am the conservative half of a hatching thread in the incubating section. I don't open the incubator, don't assist, and normally leave them until the hatch is complete.
I locked down the second incubator last night. A little better results this time, but still not good
14/27 total
10/11 from the splash pen
4/16 from the black
The 25% fertility from the black pen leads me to believe that one hen was making it easy on him. In the last few weeks I have seen him mating the alpha hen too, so hopefully this next set will be better. I'm going to set a dozen from each pen, and if I get a good hatch I will keep 15 or so of these to grow out for myself

 

[bruceha2000]

Good girl

I am the conservative half of a hatching thread in the incubating section. I don't open the incubator, don't assist, and normally leave them until the hatch is complete.
I locked down the second incubator last night. A little better results this time, but still not good
14/27 total
10/11 from the splash pen
4/16 from the black
The 25% fertility from the black pen leads me to believe that one hen was making it easy on him. In the last few weeks I have seen him mating the alpha hen too, so hopefully this next set will be better. I'm going to set a dozen from each pen, and if I get a good hatch I will keep 15 or so of these to grow out for myself

Sounds like you need to set up individual "date night" with the rooster and the hens you want hatching eggs from

 

[samouw]

Good girl

I am the conservative half of a hatching thread in the incubating section. I don't open the incubator, don't assist, and normally leave them until the hatch is complete.
I locked down the second incubator last night. A little better results this time, but still not good
14/27 total
10/11 from the splash pen
4/16 from the black
The 25% fertility from the black pen leads me to believe that one hen was making it easy on him. In the last few weeks I have seen him mating the alpha hen too, so hopefully this next set will be better. I'm going to set a dozen from each pen, and if I get a good hatch I will keep 15 or so of these to grow out for myself

I had the same thing - my wheatens went 13 out of 14 into lockdown. But I only 50% out of one black pen and 25% from the other. I sure hope this next hatch is better - that 25% pen is my champion from Clif and I want lots of his chicks!

 

[Miss Ameraucana]

Can anyone tell me if 1 merecks vaccine gives a chick full immunity?
I read that they are supposed to have one at 1 day of age & a second vaccine two weeks later. The chicks that I am about to receive come vaccinated. Do most people just not worry about the second shot?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Ravynscroft]

Can anyone tell me if 1 merecks vaccine gives a chick full immunity?
I read that they are supposed to have one at 1 day of age & a second vaccine two weeks later. The chicks that I am about to receive come vaccinated. Do most people just not worry about the second shot?
Thanks in advance!

Marek's vaccine gives NO immunity... there is no cure or guarantee of not contracting Marek's... the vaccine only helps build resistance and mask symptoms... if your flock gets Marek's, it is there... some breeds/lines are more resistant than others, but it can lay dormant in the soil for years... :/