Barnevelder breeders lets work together and improve the breed

[mediazeal]

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So she just grows out of it?
won't restrict her little leg?
it's awesome

 

[Batty about Banties]

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Oh yea Thats what it's called!!

 

[Happy Chooks]

I use bands and you just have to change them as they grow. I have one of my kids hold them on their backs, so I can use both hands to change the band. I prefer the cellulose bandettes to the spirals.

 

[tls_ranch]

Here's some updated pics that I took today with my sister's "old" camera she gave me (my son left our's out in the rain). It takes better pictures than our old one

F1 blue hen and Dark blue cockerel. He's getting huge

and still growing. He is a little over 3 months old.

Here he is stretching a bit to see what treats the hens had.

This is a "light blue" cockerel...brother to the dark blue. He's even bigger, but may end up with too much "red".

One of my KC hens...really nice hens, but I wish their egg color was better.

My new double-decker brooder with each level being 2'x 5'. I'll use this for older chicks. It's made out of 2x3's, 1/2 plywood, and cedar fence boards. We still have to add a sheet of roofing for the top.

 

[tls_ranch]

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Oh yea Thats what it's called!!

Good idea for banding the really little ones. I use the really small colored zip ties. But, boy are they a pain to change as the chicks grow.

Trisha

 

[enggass]

Quote:
Oh yea Thats what it's called!!

Good idea for banding the really little ones. I use the really small colored zip ties. But, boy are they a pain to change as the chicks grow.

Trisha

I tried the little zip ties. I am afraid to put them on too tight just for that reason - hard to remove... But, if they are not tight enough, the little buggers can manage to get their feet out...
ETA: That Dark Blue Cockerel is very pretty (they all are but he is sharp)

 

[Batty about Banties]

Pink actually put the band on because I also used the small zip ties and man were they a pain!!

 

[OrpingtonManor]

I used the spiral bands on my first hatch, and they worked fine. I'm about to change them out to the next size. It will be easy on my brooder chicks, and a bit more of a challenge for the ones I put under my broody Barnies.

 

[RachaelS]

Okay, first Trisha those blues are BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!

Next, does anyone out there use a HovaBator Styrofoam to hatch their barnies? If yes and you are successful can you PLEASE help me? I am getting in my third and final set of eggs this week, I have had only one hatch out of my last two batches so if this does not work it would be heartbreaking, it is getting way too hot to ship eggs and no one around here sells Barnevelders.

What do I do? I have heard SOOOOOO many conflicting things.
Do I let them “rest” for 24 hours when they come in or is that a waste of time? If yes, do I let them rest “standing up” or on their side?
What is the correct temp? I have been keeping it at 100 for a still air bator.
What is the correct humidity for incubation and then lock down? I heard for dark eggs it should not be as high since they do not dry out like lighter eggs.
Should I use an auto turner or is it better to just leave them in a carton and manually turn them 3 times a day?
If I use an auto turner, when I take them out for lock down, should I put them in a carton “standing up” or on their side?
Please someone that has receive mailed eggs frequently, walk me through this. My mom was a teacher when I was a kid and she would hatch eggs for her Science class. and I NEVER remember it being this hard
Please Please Please help

 

[tls_ranch]

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Everyone incubates a bit differently, but keeping the temp between 99-100 is the most important. Use multiple thermometers to make sure


Trisha