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

[TheChookPatch]

Hi fellow Aussies.............

This post leads me to a question..................... What humidity do most of you hatch at? Do you hatch Marans at the same humidity as the others?

Another question... Are araucanas good layers? My little girl just started back up after moult, and is only laying every 3 days. Is this the usual?

Thanks Sue

Hello Sue, I hatch at 37.5°c and 47% humidity, then 37°c and 60% the last 3 days. Marans are my main breed so if anything else is in the bator at the same time they hatch with those settings too. In my little 3 egg incubators they just stay at a consistent 37.5°c and I believe it is 45% humidity the whole way through, which has never failed me so far (touch wood). What about you?

My aras usually lay 5 to 7 eggs a week when they are laying.
I only have 3 chickens laying atm out of about 40 or so girls, but hopefully now that a few have started the rest will follow...

Any more luck Pinky?

That evil fox is back lurking around the house again grrrr

 

[satay]

Hi Satay, Truth be told, as I had no poultry dramas, other life took over. Do you remember way back when I offered you a little cochin rooster because I had 6 roosters out of the 9 I incubated while trying to ensure a succussion to my Ollie? Poultry life is strange, the one I offered you is the one I eventually kept. I kept him based totally on his gentle temprement towards Ollie (now 13) and to the hens. Whitney's hens are his batch sisters x 3 and an "extra" from a later 1 egg hatch-same parents.(Oliver x Priscilla). I was lucky enough to rehome my other 4 "rapist" roosters. Ollie has his 5 girls.and at 13 he is my top priority and I will not put up with anything making his life harder.He has even got a bit cranky with me in his dotage, occassionally doing the leg attack. His spurs are each at least 4 inches long so I do deter him and tell him off! It Ollie has seen it all and protected his hens from MULTIPLE pythons and hawks & Whitney has had none of those dramas yet. So I kept him for his gentle nature but he is yet to be tested in the real hen protection capacity! My sisters say he has no chance as macho man because I gave him a girl's name! When free ranginging, Whitney hangs with his 4 young hens but Ollie has mating rights to all if they come into his range. Whitney LOVES one of Ollie's hens, Rosie (Rhode X) and tries very hard with her but Rosie HATES him and Ollie runs good interference. Typical, we all want what we can't have! I will get a pic of Whit soon but Ollie keeps pulling out his best tail feathers. I hesitate to say, but my other reason for basically getting a bit bored with the site and thread in general, was the lack of new topics, one old topic seemed to go one for months with one or two word comments. I am not criticising, I just like seeing pics of coops, new additions etc. So.. it was great to see some interesting pics on my return. One thing I can say is I am very reassured to know you are all here when I do have a poultry crisis.

Fair enough. Glad your kept the roo and he has turned out well

 

[satay]

Hi fellow Aussies.............

This post leads me to a question..................... What humidity do most of you hatch at? Do you hatch Marans at the same humidity as the others?

Another question... Are araucanas good layers? My little girl just started back up after moult, and is only laying every 3 days. Is this the usual?

Thanks Sue

Hi Sue,
I use 37.5c and 45% for the first 18 days and up the humidity to 65% for lockdown. I have an rcom as well.
I agree with chook. MY araucanas lay between 5- 7 eggs a week also.

 

[satay]

Pinky if you can still hear chirping coming from the eggs I would leave it a little longer. If not would carefully try to remove a little shell from one of them and see if you see anything. If you see blood at all stop and cover with wet paper towel and return to the brooder.

 

[loopy4lorps]

Hi from Victoria! Just a short drive and I would literally be at the bottom of Oz! I'm a Australorp bantam breeder. But I also have a Columbian Wyandotte bantam breeding quad (only recently purchased), one langshan bantam(which is my sons) and 2 barneveldas(for their eggs).

 

[satay]

Welcome loopy4orps.

 

[K Spot]

I'm waiting for my Ara to start laying (she probably won't until the season changes), but I am expecting at least 5 eggs a week out of her.

Those **** foxes! I haven't had a problem here, although my dogs probably have something to do with it.

Great pics qldchook

Hi, loopy2lorps, and welcome. I myself have a standard black Australorp hen. Just playing the waiting game for her to start laying too.

 

[satay]

Grain update this week. Still yet again a small increases in the eggs being laid. Not sure if it is the grain or the loopy weather we have been having. One day it's cold and windy the next day 7c above the average temp for July

 

[K Spot]

What are you feeding Satay?

And yes, I agree on the loopy weather. I was at a dog obedience trial on Saturday and it was 26-27 degrees!

 

[satay]

I feed them a mix we make ourselves of corn ,wheat, sorghum ,oats, barley and chickpeas. They also get boss as a treat around lunch time. We have a bulk grain supplier at Laidley and I go there and by it and just mix it in the cement mixer when I get home. Usually buy enough to make 200kg or so at a time to feed all my poultry(except the quails) also make a wild bird mix for the ring necks too. Works out at about $6.00 for 20kgs.