California - Northern

[chiqita]

I use a solar rope light I bought at Lowe's for about $20.  I have cup hooks around the top interior to hold it and the wire goes in thru the door.  I bought it 2 years ago ans it still works great.  I have gone out there up to a couple of hours after sunset and it will still be on, but the light dimmed.  That is one of the great things about it...the light slowly dims an the goes out.  No sudden off when they are not prepared

These are great for winter mood lighting! Led are not expensive to run. Reg christmas lights are pricier.

 

[caychris]

I have the same coop and have a broody in the upper and one in the lower with chicks. I gust put a piece of cardboard across the entrance to the upstairs.

Do yours get to free range or are they penned in it?

Did you do anything to prevent things coming in under the run? (either gopher or something digging under the frame from outside?

I'm considering putting some hardware cloth down under the ground and attaching the whole thing to a 4"x4" foundation half buried and on top of the hardware cloth.

 

[ronott1]

So on my last hatch I had 31 out of 37 hatch.
The other six were fully formed. Seemed like some liquid in there.
Would that be too high humidity?
They were ALL Marans
And my OE that looked porous all hatched out. There were 8 of those

That is a great Hatch!

Marans are tough because the eggs are on the large size and they are Dark and very will sealed with shiny bloom.

Things too look into for Marans is:

Flock health
Cool Down Cycle Day 7 to 18.
Above with a daily misting of the eggs after day 7 to 18--encourages evaporation of moisture in the egg
Incubate at 99.5 to 100 for the first 18 days
Ventilation and dead air spots in the incubator and or room the incubators are in.

35% humidity
Lower temperature(99) during the last three days of hatching, called lock down on BYC

Marans can be frustrating--especially when they are shipped.

 

[caychris]

Unless they have modified it since I bought mine, the nestbox cover is not coon proof (or even dog proof). It works on a pressure system so I can lift the lide, but the cickens can't.

They have added a latch mechanism to the outside that when turned locks the lid its a little more complicated than the throw bolts on the doors as it requires more precision to open.

 

[BCollie]

Do young chicks sleep more than older ones? I'm not sure how old the Marans are, but maybe you guys can tell from this picture...



They're definitely older than the Buff Polish who seem to be only a few days old, maybe 5 or 6?



I have noticed that the Marans are much more active than the Polish. They are awake more, eat more, drink more, etc. The Polish seem to spend a good amount of time sleeping, but I do still see them eat and drink, and when photographing them on a short platform they were brave enough to jump off and try to run away! So they're not acting sick...they just sleep a lot aren't aren't nearly as active as the Marans. Is this normal since they're still just itty bitty babies, or do I need to worry?

My marans are very vigorous and often outrun everyone but the breese. As long as they have enough energy to panic if I try and reach for them I dont worry. If they don't I look for symptoms.

Thanks! It must just be the breed, then!

Quote:
Thank you!!

 

[casportpony]

That is a great Hatch!

Marans are tough because the eggs are on the large size and they are Dark and very will sealed with shiny bloom.

Things too look into for Marans is:

Flock health
Cool Down Cycle Day 7 to 18.
Above with a daily misting of the eggs after day 7 to 18--encourages evaporation of moisture in the egg
Incubate at 99.5 to 100 for the first 18 days
Ventilation and dead air spots in the incubator and or room the incubators are in.

35% humidity
Lower temperature(99) during the last three days of hatching, called lock down on BYC

Marans can be frustrating--especially when they are shipped.

I wonder if some of these techniques might improve my pea egg percentages?

-Kathy

 

[ronott1]

I wonder if some of these techniques might improve my pea egg percentages?

-Kathy

Yes!

Also add minimized vibration from the turner!

Treat them like goose eggs.

 

[TheKeeper]

I  I love Turkeys! They are so cool . I love their personality.   I would almost get me a smaller breed of one just for a pet

I am right there with you! I still miss my broad-breasted bronze hen. I lost her in Dec. She was so sweet & was a laying machine. Thinking about another one...

 

[casportpony]

Quote: How does one minimize vibration?

-Kathy

 

[chiqita]

I am right there with you! I still miss my broad-breasted bronze hen. I lost her in Dec. She was so sweet & was a laying machine. Thinking about another one...

Midget whites! Smaller and the friendlist bird alive!