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

[rexy]

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

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.

Thanks TheChookPatch and Satay.

I have it at 37.5c as well, but did a bit of reading before I first incubated and the dry hatch seemed to work well. So I started using 30-35% until lockdown, and then 50-55%. I live near the Gold Coast so always have some humidity. It has worked well. Last shipped Marans, I got 8/12, and get a good percentage with my own, 80-100%.

Mmmm, don't know what is up with Little Miss Araucana then. Perhaps she will pick up her game soon. How do I get the OE project going if she wont give me lots of beautiful blue eggs?

Do you want to get your hens to lay in winter???????????? Move to the good state then...

Sue

 

[cluckcluckluke]

QLD chook, that is so cool!!
What little creature is that?

On the subject of posted eggs, has anyone seen this brilliant idea?

it's worth a try I reckon.

https://sites.google.com/site/nickyschicks/home/photos​

Will be doing this for sure!
What a great idea!

 

[Bens-Hens]

K Spot,
I breed Blue and Black Australorps.

I am going to have to pick up some blue 'lorp eggs next hatch! I will be in touch

 

[CB and CG]

Sounds great Ben!

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Sounds great Ben!

I know that the blacks are supposed to be good layers but are the blue's good layers as well?

 

[CB and CG]

Hi Luke, Yes my blue exhibition strain will lay just as well as my black exhibition strain however my black utility strain will lay the best. The utility strain is purebred but they look like the old fashioned Australorps. A little lighter in frame and they do not have the same look. The utilities are still 100% Australorp. If you would like I can post some pics of the differences between my exhibition strain blues and blacks compared to my utilities.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Hi Luke, Yes my blue exhibition strain will lay just as well as my black exhibition strain however my black utility strain will lay the best. The utility strain is purebred but they look like the old fashioned Australorps. A little lighter in frame and they do not have the same look. The utilities are still 100% Australorp. If you would like I can post some pics of the differences between my exhibition strain blues and blacks compared to my utilities.

Oh you have separate strains, that is good.
So do only have black utility or do you have blue's in the utility strain as well?
Yes I would like to see some photo's, just out of curiosity if it's not to much trouble.

 

[rexy]

Hi Luke, Yes my blue exhibition strain will lay just as well as my black exhibition strain however my black utility strain will lay the best. The utility strain is purebred but they look like the old fashioned Australorps. A little lighter in frame and they do not have the same look. The utilities are still 100% Australorp. If you would like I can post some pics of the differences between my exhibition strain blues and blacks compared to my utilities.

Hi CB and CG,

I would love to see some pics of your different strains also. I love the blues, they are just lovely... Are the Australorps in demand, ie easy to sell? (It is one of my fears - that I get caught up in the joys of incubating and end up with fluffy butts overrunning the place, and no one wants them ) How do they cross with Marans??

 

[rexy]

Hi Luke

How are your 2 new girls going? have you got some better pics of them yet?

Sue

 

[Bens-Hens]

I am always keen for pics!

We are not into shows, but we just love the look of the blues. We have a lovely black called Luna just about to have her first egg. Just waiting.......any day now........still waiting lol