California - Northern

[PetRock]

That is funny! Who needs incubators in the Spring?

Anyway if our Silkies aren't broody we wonder what's wrong with them. Broody is their middle name year 'round. And it's contagious. Within an hour both Silkies will start brooding trying to beat the other one to the favourite nestbox. Flock politics is very competitive and it seems to be a status symbol to be an egg layer or a broody. I just hope my APA Amer doesn't catch the fever. She's been a fantastic egg layer for 2 seasons and I'd hate to stop getting those beautiful blue eggs from her right now.

I agree with that contagious part. Today, I have 4 more pullets who have decided that motherhood is for them, too!

 

[farmhand]

 


Jules @fortyfivefarm
in Madera may have some nice Andalusians for white eggs. They have been good layers for both of us.

I agree - the Mediterranean class of chickens (Andalusian, Ancona, Legs, Minorca, WFBSpanish, Catalana, etc.) are outstanding for their prolific white egg-laying.  I adore Leghorns but sadly had to rehome our two because they became bullies toward the gentle breeds in our mixed flock.  But if you have lots of space or isolate the Meds from gentle breeds you can't get more fantastic large-xl size white eggs except from the Meds.  There are a lot of fantastic brown egg breeds but the Meds are the best producers of white eggs.  We too are now without a white egg in our basket since re-homing our Legs so we ordered a gentle Breda for white eggs.  It was a toss-up between the gentles - Polish, Houdan, or Breda - for white eggs and we decided to try a Breda.  We won't get the xl prolific white eggs like the Leghorns but at least we will get SOME white eggs without having to deal with the aggressive Mediterranean class of chickens.

I can not speak high enough of my California Gray hens. Their on the smaller size and lay 6 med size white eggs each week like clockwork. They are curious, friendly, and not rough with their pen mates.

 

[ronott1]

Hello all! New here so am a bit lost! I'm in Sacramento area looking for local(ish) breeders of guineas & colored egg layer chickens. Any advice or info? Was looking @ hatcheries, but don't want 25 of either. Thank you

It is great to have you here!

There are a lot of us close to you with colored egg layers.

If you get baby chicks from a breeder, there will be boys so you would need to make a plan for them or wait until a bit later in the year when the breeders are selling off their extras.

 

[marcyflock]

Thank you ronott1.

 

[chrissyr]

Does anyone have any advice for hatching shipped eggs with really wonky air cells? I thought i read to stop turning 5 days before hatch instead of 3. but not sure on that. It's getting close to hatch date. Thanks in advance and….


This is a great thread!

welcome @marcyflock

 

[ronott1]

Does anyone have any advice for hatching shipped eggs with really wonky air cells? I thought i read to stop turning 5 days before hatch instead of 3. but not sure on that. It's getting close to hatch date. Thanks in advance and….


This is a great thread!

welcome @marcyflock

The best thing to do at the end of incubation(lockdown) is to hatch shipped eggs:

1. in cut down cartons. Big end up and slightly tilted.
2. draw an outline around the air cell and make sure the chick pips inside the line or slightly below it.
3. lower the temperature in the incubator to 98 degrees
4. watch for goo coming out of the pip and clear it to make sure the chick can breath
5. remove all vent plugs or keep vents all the way open.
6. humidity 65 to 70%

I hope you have a great hatch!

Added: Turning during the last week is not necessary but does not hurt either. Gentle turning is important during the first week for shipped eggs.

 

[chrissyr]

The best thing to do at the end of incubation(lockdown) is to hatch shipped eggs:

1. in cut down cartons. Big end up and slightly tilted.
2. draw an outline around the air cell and make sure the chick pips inside the line or slightly below it.
3. lower the temperature in the incubator to 98 degrees
4. watch for goo coming out of the pip and clear it to make sure the chick can breath
5. remove all vent plugs or keep vents all the way open.
6. humidity 65 to 70%

I hope you have a great hatch!

Added: Turning during the last week is not necessary but does not hurt either. Gentle turning is important during the first week for shipped eggs.

Thank you

 

[sewandgrow]

I agree with that contagious part. Today, I have 4 more pullets who have decided that motherhood is for them, too!

I too am wanting the eggs for now. My True Ameraucaunas are now laying & finally the Marans have kicked in so I am wanting to hatch the eggs until I get a few replacements going. I cut so far back I now need to refresh. It is almost like starting over.........

 

[sewandgrow]

Ooh this sounds like a party =)

Yes, it certainly is...............Don't miss if you can swing it.

 

[JecaRaven]

Hi everybody!

I'm not sure if I am northern or southern CA...? Anyways I'm looking for a non-feather-footed silkie pullet, preferably black, blue, splash, or whatever as long as she's not white. I used to have one years ago, the best buddy chicken ever. She was culled from a breeder because of her legs.