Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[capayvalleychick]

I'm trying to identify what each of my Dorkings is producing, this year, so I'm collecting eggs from pairings of each single hen & cock bird and marking the eggs with the leg band numbers. This gets tricky, since I have someone else incubate eggs for me.
Thanks to Ron, for going to all the extra trouble for me. Here is what he fixed up to keep the eggs separate. (There are a few Delaware eggs in there, too) He keeps detailed notes on everything related to the hatching , and puts different colored zip ties on them as they hatch, so I know who is who. After I get them home, I put numbered bandettes on them.

 

[finnfur]

(There are a few Delaware eggs in there, too) He keeps detailed notes on everything related to the hatching , and puts different colored zip ties on them as they hatch, so I know who is who. After I get them home, I put numbered bandettes on them.

Kim
Do you need to change the bandettes as they grow out . I have used the plastic colored rings but have had some cut off circulation problems and one infected . If you are not having this problem would you share what you are using.

 

[capayvalleychick]

Kim
Do you need to change the bandettes as they grow out . I have used the plastic colored rings but have had some cut off circulation problems and one infected . If you are not having this problem would you share what you are using.

Yes, you do. I use size 7 to start out. I check them often, at least once a month for growing youngsters. The band should have room enough so that you can easily turn it around and slide it up and down. The nice thing about Dorkings is that the fifth toe holds on a slightly larger band. I keep sizes 9, 10 & 12 for them as they grow.
Here's one of the places that I order from, and I also will buy them at shows.
http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_89

 

[Zanna]

I'm trying to identify what each of my Dorkings is producing, this year, so I'm collecting eggs from pairings of each single hen & cock bird and marking the eggs with the leg band numbers. This gets tricky, since I have someone else incubate eggs for me.
Thanks to Ron, for going to all the extra trouble for me. Here is what he fixed up to keep the eggs separate. (There are a few Delaware eggs in there, too) He keeps detailed notes on everything related to the hatching , and puts different colored zip ties on them as they hatch, so I know who is who. After I get them home, I put numbered bandettes on them.

Are there a bunch of holes poked in the bottom and/or sides of the clamshell trays to allow for humidity and ventilation, does not look like there are any poked into the lids? What a great idea for the hovabators!

 

[galanie]

I opted to just get a toe punch and not spend time with leg bands, though I realize there will be circumstances and times when I will be needing to band. Just not as they're growing and so vulnerable to outgrowing the bands.

Did my first chick about a month ago and surprisingly easy. Hardest part was holding the little booger still for it. Yes, it yelped but then I stuck a toothpick in there to be sure the skin tab was out, put it back in the brooder, and no more worries.

 

[cluck-cluck]

Are there a bunch of holes poked in the bottom and/or sides of the clamshell trays to allow for humidity and ventilation, does not look like there are any poked into the lids? What a great idea for the hovabators!

Yah, I think those are blueberry er... tomato trays, no? They have a lot of ventilation, and yes, great idea! I must try that next time! ... Well, next time I need to keep things straight, LOL

 

[ronott1]

Are there a bunch of holes poked in the bottom and/or sides of the clamshell trays to allow for humidity and ventilation, does not look like there are any poked into the lids? What a great idea for the hovabators!

The tomato trays have holes along the entire top and bottom edges. I lined the bottoms with rubber shelf lining to keep the eggs in place. The smaller clamshell did not have holes so I cut some in the top, bottom and sides.

Each tray will hold up to 6 eggs. It is very cute to see the chicks in there looking up at me too....

Yes, it worked out very nicely for hatching this way and I can get 6 of the tomato trays in the Genesis so I can hatch from 6 hens at a time.

 

[finnfur]

I opted to just get a toe punch and not spend time with leg bands, though I realize there will be circumstances and times when I will be needing to band. Just not as they're growing and so vulnerable to outgrowing the bands.

Did my first chick about a month ago and surprisingly easy. Hardest part was holding the little booger still for it. Yes, it yelped but then I stuck a toothpick in there to be sure the skin tab was out, put it back in the brooder, and no more worries.

My idea this year was a toe punch so I got one and toe punched all to indicate line . All had visible holes at time of punching but in two weeks half were grown back and un identifiable.
I must have done something wrong . I guess ? So I put wing tags on . They worked great but I was looking for a temporary marker till I put wing tags in.

 

[cbnovick]

My idea this year was a toe punch so I got one and toe punched all to indicate line . All had visible holes a punching but in two weeks half were grown back and un identifiable.
I must have done something wrong . I guess ? So i but wing tags on . They worked great but I was looking for a temporary marker till I put wing tags in.

VETRAP or coflex BANDAGING in various colors is awesome from day 1 through maturity...I just cut a quarter inch wide piece about as long as needed and wrap the leg forming a band and fold end part to make a little tag ending...it breathes and expands quite a bit with growth...it stays on great too.

find it at feed store or here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Full-CASE-3...618?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20d1acd232

 

[cbnovick]

Here is a link to Tom Roebuck's website. http://www.goldenfeatherfarm.com/index.html He is quite the gentleman and I learn something from him each time we talk.

thanks so much
...I emailed him last night from the website. may need to call if he does not check his email regularly