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

[Aspudis]

Can any of you aussiesmroughly age my Langshan Bantam hens please. I know it is hard to age hens but am after some advice or opinions. I Have only had them a week and have no idea how old they are as I bought them from an auction? Thanks.

 

[CB and CG]

Easiest way to tell is by looking at their face and legs. Especially legs in dark legged breeds like langshans and Australorps. The darker and smoother the legs are the younger. When they get older legs go from black to a slate colour. To me your Langshans still look like they COULD be pullets (under 12 months) or have just turned hens (Older than 12 months). The oldest I think that they could be would be 2 years but I am leaning closer towards the 1 year mark. Either way they are on the younger end of the scale.

 

[satay]

Can any of you aussiesmroughly age my Langshan Bantam hens please. I know it is hard to age hens but am after some advice or opinions. I Have only had them a week and have no idea how old they are as I bought them from an auction? Thanks.

My guess would be 6 to 12 months. Pretty looking chickens

 

[Aspudis]

Thanks for your opinions CB and Satay.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

They look fairly young, Langshans do usually have small combs so they aren't much help.
I would guess around 6-8 months.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

O.K, some Bator Q's. Please help.

Now, I am going to finish setting up my bator today.
I want to know do I need the water/ pump and pipes? I heard you can do wet and dry hatches?

Also, what have you guys found to be the best temps for hatching and also what humidity level and when do you increase the humidity and how much to?

1 last one, the dreaded....Cocci??? Has any one had problem's with this with there incubating? I have been told to add clumps of dirt in the brooder so they can build up and immunity?

 

[TheChookPatch]

Well it kinda answered my question if they were going to lay in the new nesting boxes, they love them! And I got to identify at least 5 new pullets to their individual egg so that was great. It was quite hilarious! I will definitely be making more of them and it is so nice to have them coming out in the collection part so nice and clean! Here is an awesome egg I collected from the cross breeds pen, I love it
Luke do you mean has any one had problems with their babies and cocci because starter food has medication added to the crumble so they don't get it. Just keep their brooder nice and clean I haven't had a problem, touch wood!

 

[TheChookPatch]

Beautiful birds Aspudis, I love Langshans. .. I was thinking of getting some croad bantams.

 

[Ashburnham]

Luke - I leave the temp at the factory setting 37.5 degrees.
I always have used the humidity pump - 45 % and then 60% in the last 2 days.
Chicks need to develop a resistance to coccidiosis, but I dont think you need to start that early.
When they start going on potentially contaminated ground, make sure you add Amprolium to their water as well as giving the medicated feed.

xxx M

 

[satay]

Luke - I leave the temp at the factory setting 37.5 degrees.
I always have used the humidity pump - 45 %   and then 60% in the last 2 days.
Chicks need to develop a resistance to coccidiosis, but I dont think you need to start that early.
When they start going on potentially contaminated ground, make sure you add Amprolium to their water as well as giving  the medicated feed.

xxx   M

I agree with ash on the bator only difference is I do 65% humidity for the last 3 days but either would work fine I am sure.
I just used medicated starter from hatch day and never had a problem with cocci. Mine are out on the grass at a week old during the day and out full time at 3 weeks.