Australians - Where are you all????

[duckyfromoz]

The polish went in on the 23rd I even wrote it on the calendar this time. It was about 11 pm when they went in- so I guess I should add an extra day to the calculations.
So that makes today day 12. Saturday they come out of the turner which will free up some room for my first real setting of eggs from the borrowed ducks. And Tuesday week is the due date... Being Sunday night I shouldnt have referred to it as next week... Sorry if I confused you. But it is still not far away. I have 6 eggs still looking good. From the wyandotte eggs I was given I took out 8 eggs from 2 dozen today. Not such good fertility with those ones- and postage was a lot harder on them too by the looks. Aircells are moving all over the entire egg when I turn them.

Great news on those silkies. I have found a fellow who lives very close and I have asked about buying a few from him for Courtney. I have just got the answering machine when I rand tonight to organise picking them up- but hope to get there in the next few days.

The Hummer had two bottles of champagne chilling and we could bring along one more of our own. The driver is responsible to make sure we all behaved- and even though we were only in it for an hour...3 glasses was more than enough to see me tipsy. I am such a cheap drunk these days as I dont drink often.

We dont eat much meat in this house- I could never eat one of my own either. Each to their own - but if I see it hatch and raise it- no way could I eat it too.

I look forward to seeing your new Quad soon.

 

[wooklet]

O.K. So how has everyone survived the deluges that are going on? This is the one time when I think that maybe I should have ducks or geese or anything with webbed feet! NOT good weather for Silkies,they are like a sponge just soak it all up! I am waiting for a nice day,and will take pics,don't feel like posing and preening them in this rain.
Anyway,hope you're all okay,and have survived!

 

[duckyfromoz]

I heard the weather report last night and went out to the shed to move fences so they could spend the day inside. My goose is feather plucking some of the ducklings if they spend too much time all cooped up- so I wanted to separate them. All the babies were inside but most of the adults were all outside.

I have silkies now too!!! I got four last night as well as a dozen eggs!! Not too sure how good they will turn out- one has six toes - but at least my daughter is happy with them.

I have a few duck eggs pipped tonight - so once they are done it will be a quick clean of the hatcher and the polish eggs can go in. I am so excited about them.. Still six eggs going Ok - the air cells are a little odd- but I can still see movement to have y fingers crossed. 6 days to go!!

 

[wooklet]

Yay - silkies! I heard something interesting today about 6 toed Silkies, they can result from crossing a naked neck with a Silkie,which is of course how they breed Showgirl Silkies, so maybe somewhere in the past your silkies have been bred with Naked Necks? What colour are they? I still haven't taken a picture of the Blacks, but they'll be here soon I promise!
Glad that you survived the weather, I took my dogs for a run in their favourite spot by the river today,and it was completely flooded out. Amazing it had become a lake overnight.
Look forward to hearing more on the Polish. Did I tell you that they are from show stock? The man who bred them is a poultry judge,and it was him that I got my Polish from, not the bantam, they came from a man in Hobart, who breeds rare breeds,also shows them. So your chickens have a good pedigree.
20 Barnevellders hatched tonight - dam that incubator, I was hoping it would have a hiccup!!

 

[duckyfromoz]

Well..tonight I can see plenty of movement in 4 of the Polish eggs- The air cells are HUGE- its from the movement in them while in the hands of Australia post. They are interesting patterns- but it makes it hard to know on some eggs which side should be up and which is down. I had 5 ducklings hatch a few days ago and they are about to go live with the silkies- then after a few days- the polish can join them too.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Wooklet

wooklet

guess what I can see in the airsac of the Polish eggs?????

I not long got home from the Poultry Club meeting and Christmas Lunch and just went to do a final candle before putting them into lockdown. Its so cute seeing a pointy beak inside of big fat round ones.


My daughter had brought home 2 little barnie chicks - and OMG how cute are they!! I will have to take a photo of them...Even though you have so many ...Its nice to have something different other than ducklings around..

I will keep you updated about the Polish as things progress.

 

[wooklet]

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! I am so happy for you and for your daughter! Wonder what colour they will be? The black with white crest seems to be dominant, but the blue is so pretty I hope that you get at least one of each! Our latest hatch had an egg in it marked"Frizzle" and out popped a white crested black Polish! A good one too. Someone got their eggs mixed up!
We had a nasty thing happen this morning, I let the Mama hen out(Silkie) and noticed that only 4 babies had come out with her,should have been 5. I looked in the house,and there was this white chick sitting there looking miserable,I picked it up and it had blood all over its' wings,and a HUGE patch on its'back which was dried blood,a pretty deep wound. I had to take it away,and put it in a nice warm broody box. It's been pretty quiet all day,but this evening has come good enough to go in with the other babies from the incubator.,but I had to paint the wound blue to stop the others from pecking at it. Can only think of two things, Mum wandered into the other silkies pen yesterday and the wind blew the door shut,she was stuck there for quite a while I think,and maybe the rooster attacked one of the little chicks, it does look like a peck mark.OR a rat got in.I hate that thought,and have spent a long while putting mouse proof wire around the box.
Yes, Barnie chicks are adorable but the novelty wears off......! I actually persuaded him to advertise the week olds for $10 each, and the cockerels at a negotiable price. Let's see what happens - hope we get some replies! But I'm glad you are enjoying your bantams and chickens. It is nice to have a change, but your ducks are gorgeous. Let's face it all feathered and furry things are gorgeous!

 

[duckyfromoz]

The two whose beaks I could see earlier are still the same- but a third egg has now pipped- I was having a quick look through the lid before I climbed into bed...and saw a huge crack!!! I think these guys arent going to wait until Wednesday.

I hope its not a rat.. I have had an issue here with mice for a while. I dont mind them outside so much... But with all the rain lately I have seen evidence of them inside the house. Time to put down some more traps I think. Poor little tyke - I hope it will recover well.

Maybe now having to sell them- he will think harder before setting eggs again. Hatching is great - but sometimes finding new homes is a head ache. I had a lady come get 6 ducks today- but a second person never showed up. I still have to many- but at least its a manageable number......until all these chicks hatch!!!!

 

[DoloresRun]

I am a transplanted Canadian living in Australia!!!

Love it here and don't plan to move back any time soon

 

[wooklet]

nice to have you on board! This is a great site,really friendly. Whereabouts in C anada are you from? I have a brother in Toronto.

See you have Isas and Barnevelders - just hens? Or Roosters as well? They are beautiful birds aren't they the Barnies?

Enjoy the site!