Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[satay]

There are definatly risks with eggs as well. I've only ever bought or will buy from someone known to have good bio security measures in place and a good healthy flock. It's one reason I've persevered with the breeder I have rather than just grabbing some eggs off gumtree.

For sure appps. I do a lot of research and ask a gillizon questions before I buy posted eggs. I prefer to buy eggs where I can go pickup and see the flock but in the case of the last lot of Belgian eggs I just bought distance can sometimes be a problem. It would have cost me double in fuel to pick up and I got them over night.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I know I am being difficult - -- but in buying fertile eggs - from an unknown rooster / hens source  .... isn't that a bit of a risk ?   With possible inherited nasties  genetically ?  

IF ( big IF at this stage ) I were to try hatching some new chicks for my tiny chicken farmlet out there, I think I would have to  risk disobeying the Council - and get a rooster of good quality ( by reputation of the breeder )  ... kept separate to make sure he is the goods ( not sure if that would work though ) .... and then let him at my hens, broody or not.  As long as they were squatting.  

Then again, one doesn't know if an acquired rooster, ( and apparenty there are plenty of roosters available  ) is going to be a brute, or a gentle caring boy who protects his flock.

The entire breeding, laying, hatching, broodys to use ( hopefully ), incubator options,  fascinates me.....

I admit unashamedly, that I am reading all that is on BYC on this subject, with a view ..........a very distant view, admittedly,  to having some new wee chicks one day..

Cheers again ........... 

Eggs are definitely the safest way to add to your flock, there are certain diseases that are carried through the egg, mycoplasma galiseptum is one, so it's important to do your homework on the breeder. Northern red fowl mites can also hide in the porous surface of the shell. Mites are capable of carrying any blood Bourne disease such as mareks.
Naturally you might know of someone who keeps a healthy flock and if you only have small numbers , then the risks associated with bringing in a few POL hens may be minimal.
Alternatively you could buy some 6 week old chicks and by the time they are big enough to integrate with your existing flock , they will have passed their 6 week quarantine period.
As to eating eggs , I don't refrigerate eggs but I do wash them before eating.
Once you remove the protective ' bloom ' the egg starts to deteriorate . That is why you never get an egg from the supermarket with that high top yolk appearance , it is also why they refrigerate their eggs.

 

[satay]

Eggs are definitely the safest way to add to your flock, there are certain diseases that are carried through the egg, mycoplasma galiseptum is one, so it's important to do your homework on the breeder. Northern red fowl mites can also hide in the porous surface of the shell. Mites are capable of carrying any blood Bourne disease such as mareks.
Naturally you might know of someone who keeps a healthy flock and if you only have small numbers , then the risks associated with bringing in a few POL hens may be minimal.
Alternatively you could buy some 6 week old chicks and by the time they are big enough to integrate with your existing flock , they will have passed their 6 week quarantine period.
As to eating eggs , I don't refrigerate eggs but I do wash them before eating.
Once you remove the protective ' bloom ' the egg starts to deteriorate . That is why you never get an egg from the supermarket with that high top yolk appearance , it is also why they refrigerate their eggs.

That's probably cause the temps in tassie are just like the temps in our fridges up here oops sorry couldn't resist

 

[Teila]

That's probably cause the temps in tassie are just like the temps in our fridges up here

oops sorry couldn't resist

....

 

[Fancychooklady]

That's probably cause the temps in tassie are just like the temps in our fridges up here oops sorry couldn't resist

Lol, sometimes it is warmer in my fridge than it is in the main house.
Just managed my first walk out to the chooks , since getting home , the sun is shining and everyone seems to survived our son and my girlfriend. ( feeders by default ).

 

[Teila]

Hey friends

Been MIA for a couple of days .. long story short, at the hospital with hubby with a heart scare but he is OK.

As always, lots of interesting/educational reading .. thanks all.

RodneyRooster I am glad no-one was injured in the Rodney v Dog episode. I totally understand your concerns with Miss Vonte and the hot weekend. Cilla has had a couple of hatches during hot weather and we have this thing where I take her a special little cup with fresh, cool water in it many times throughout the day and she has a drink from it while on the nest. She is the only one of my broody’s who has not seen this as a threat and seems to enjoy being waited on

Oooh yeah, those broody poops are definitely one of a kind and an invasion on the sense of smell that takes a while to get over

Kleonaptra I had a good chuckle at the chicken invasion.

locknest4 I am so sorry to read of your loss

Good luck with the hatch satay

Anniebee Wow! Your mystery is definitely unnerving

Washing hatching eggs! .. aaargh

Before chickens we used to have a vegie garden. I miss our vegie garden so this long weekend is going to be dedicated to constructing some raised garden beds down the side of the house where the chickens do not go. And, if by chance the chickens smell the nice fresh vegies and venture down that way

, it can easily be blocked off with a fence or gate from the house to the side fence.

While I will not be able to see it while in the main area of the garden where the gals and I usually hang out, I will be able to see it from the kitchen window. I just have to make sure that when I venture down that way to tend the vegies, I do not have curious chickens in tow .. "Where are you going Mum? Can we come too?"

Very excited about this little project.

 

[satay]

Lol, sometimes it is warmer in my fridge than it is in the main house.
Just managed my first walk out to the chooks , since getting home , the sun is shining and everyone seems to survived our son and my girlfriend. ( feeders by default ).

So glad your finally up and about. Take it slowly.

 

[Kleonaptra]

I am officially suffering the invasion of Henny Penny.

This morning she was on the lounge - quite carefully not waking me up - my spidy sense went off, alerting me to something not right. When I stormed up, she squatted. 'hug me mum' I chucked her out, all doors definitely SHUT. Then at about 9am I hear a chicken sized crash coming from the cat room. Yep, Henny again. She is definitely coming through the hole in the flyscreen. I'm impressed - its a big jump, and she would have to time a wing flap perfectly to get through the modest hole.
The 'cat room' is a long sunroom down the side of the house. Since we do cat rescue we have a lot of cats and cat accessories and this room is designated 'kid free' it also houses books and bookshelves, an old computer and a box of various art supplies. This is where Hennible was attempting to nest this morning. I should have known, her last spot on top of the saddle blankets (where, if I dont find the eggs in time they gently roll off to smash behind the hay) is no longer in favour.

 

[satay]

Hey friends 

Been MIA for a couple of days .. long story short, at the hospital with hubby with a heart scare but he is OK.

As always, lots of interesting/educational reading .. thanks all.

RodneyRooster I am glad no-one was injured in the Rodney v Dog episode.  I totally understand your concerns with Miss Vonte and the hot weekend.  Cilla has had a couple of hatches during hot weather and we have this thing where I take her a special little cup with fresh, cool water in it many times throughout the day and she has a drink from it while on the nest.  She is the only one of my broody’s who has not seen this as a threat and seems to enjoy being waited on 

Oooh yeah, those broody poops are definitely one of a kind and an invasion on the sense of smell that takes a while to get over 

Kleonaptra I had a good chuckle at the chicken invasion.

locknest4 I am so sorry to read of your loss 

Good luck with the hatch satay 

Anniebee Wow! Your mystery is definitely unnerving 

 
Washing hatching eggs! .. aaargh 

Before chickens we used to have a vegie garden.  I miss our vegie garden so this long weekend is going to be dedicated to constructing some raised garden beds down the side of the house where the chickens do not go.  And, if by chance the chickens smell the nice fresh vegies and venture down that way , it can easily be blocked off with a fence or gate from the house to the side fence.

While I will not be able to see it while in the main area of the garden where the gals and I usually hang out, I will be able to see it from the kitchen window.  I just have to make sure that when I venture down that way to tend the vegies, I do not have curious chickens in tow .. "Where are you going Mum?  Can we come too?" 

Very excited about this little project.

So glad your hubby is ok.
Your vege garden sounds great there is nothing nicer than picking stuff you have grown yourself.. I agree about watching the girls. I decided last week to move a big pile of broken bricks that one husband decided was good to pile right beside the drive way. Little biddy was really excited. I had to keep watching to make sure nothing fell on her but the excitement on her cute little face and watching her climbing up and scratching around everywhere made the job much longer but so much fun.It is hard to be mad at that cute little thing. She likes to help in the vege garden if i don't shut the gate.

 

[satay]

I am officially suffering the invasion of Henny Penny.

This morning she was on the lounge - quite carefully not waking me up - my spidy sense went off, alerting me to something not right. When I stormed up, she squatted. 'hug me mum' I chucked her out, all doors definitely SHUT. Then at about 9am I hear a chicken sized crash coming from the cat room. Yep, Henny again. She is definitely coming through the hole in the flyscreen. I'm impressed - its a big jump, and she would have to time a wing flap perfectly to get through the modest hole.
The 'cat room' is a long sunroom down the side of the house. Since we do cat rescue we have a lot of cats and cat accessories and this room is designated 'kid free' it also houses books and bookshelves, an old computer and a box of various art supplies. This is where Hennible was attempting to nest this morning. I should have known, her last spot on top of the saddle blankets (where, if I dont find the eggs in time they gently roll off to smash behind the hay) is no longer in favour.

Too funny.