California - Northern

[OR4-hmom]

I've got some that "egg song" seems to be enough for them to claim a nest box and grow an attitude.

 

[Audio51]

I've got some that "egg song" seems to be enough for them to claim a nest box and grow an attitude.

That is the way it is with my Blue Wyandotte. She is always the first one to go broody and it usually starts right after egg production picks up.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

I've got some that "egg song" seems to be enough for them to claim a nest box and grow an attitude.

One of my girls has a MAJOR egg song. She struts out of the coop making a noise that is just unbelievable. Interestingly, she's lowest on the pecking order. Luckily the others are quiet, LOL!

 

[attimus]

One of my girls has a MAJOR egg song. She struts out of the coop making a noise that is just unbelievable. Interestingly, she's lowest on the pecking order. Luckily the others are quiet, LOL!

Haha I have a few girls that are the same. No matter whos singing Rosco runs over and chimes in too.

 

[caychris]

Ok need some incubator newbie help.

This appears to be the incubator I have borrowed from Neal (I've been spelling his name wrong for a while now so please forgive me do not know how that started)
http://www.amazon.com/Segawe-Digita...d=1428421727&sr=8-3&keywords=48+egg+incubator


It's digital read out for temp is in C not F so it makes me a little concerned when it fluctuates. (Though usually less than 1 degree)

My main concern is that the egg turner once loaded with eggs seems to not be working correctly. I think its supposed to "Swing" the eggs into a new position every 2 hours and I saw the trays be in different positions when I was testing without eggs, but now that it is loaded it appears to lift the eggs to the new position but then settles back. Like the weight of the eggs is too great a strain. I see some bowing of the egg trays too so that might have something to do with it.

Ive heard that its ok to not turn them for the first couple/few days. I talked to Debi and she said that you can elevate one side of the bator then next time elevate the other side when you need to turn the eggs manually.

How much incline should I use would lifting one side about 1-2 inches be enough. Should I rotate sides alone or should I go from left -flat -right and back?

 

[ronott1]

Ok need some incubator newbie help.

This appears to be the incubator I have borrowed from Neal (I've been spelling his name wrong for a while now so please forgive me do not know how that started)
http://www.amazon.com/Segawe-Digita...d=1428421727&sr=8-3&keywords=48+egg+incubator


It's digital read out for temp is in C not F so it makes me a little concerned when it fluctuates. (Though usually less than 1 degree)

My main concern is that the egg turner once loaded with eggs seems to not be working correctly. I think its supposed to "Swing" the eggs into a new position every 2 hours and I saw the trays be in different positions when I was testing without eggs, but now that it is loaded it appears to lift the eggs to the new position but then settles back. Like the weight of the eggs is too great a strain. I see some bowing of the egg trays too so that might have something to do with it.

Ive heard that its ok to not turn them for the first couple/few days. I talked to Debi and she said that you can elevate one side of the bator then next time elevate the other side when you need to turn the eggs manually.

How much incline should I use would lifting one side about 1-2 inches be enough. Should I rotate sides alone or should I go from left -flat -right and back?

You will likely need to hand turn or tilt tin incubator like you are describing. Eggs should tilt 45 degrees.

 

[mduerksen]

Any idea the breed of these 2? They are 5 weeks old and were in the same pullet bin at TSC when I got them they looked exactly the same as chicks.that were a couple days old. Nugget (the first one) always hops up to see what treat I bringing and is not a timid bird.

Sterling has turned reddish and she isn't timid either they all started roosting early and LOVE to be put in the yard.

 

[Chrysolinsbirds]

I don't know how to encourage broodiness unless a chicken is already showing signs of heading that way anyway--as far as that goes, I may not have had anything to do with the timing

My aunt says if you leave like five eggs in the nest box fake or real doesn't matter some hen will take up the mantle unless all you have are severe non broody types. Good luck =)

 

[tj74roberts]

Hello All,
I agree with the tentative diagnosis of Chickee. The problem is that the behavior interferes with their ability to feed quite often. So if we are correct I would recommend a gentle feeding of a B Complex LIQUID suspension that is partially diluted. Feed in small amounts to prevent choking by force feeding with an pipette (eye dropper). TIP: It helps to keep in mind that the entrance way into the gullet (esophagus) of all birds is on its right side of the entrance inside the beak. With care and a plastic pipette one can actually slip the tip into that orifice and by gentle pressure on the rubber bulb one can avoid the danger of creating induced pneumonia. (Always one must avoid forcing a fluid into the lungs of any creature; in an ideal world that should be understood without saying.) It is best to have an accomplice secure the bird while you as the operator hold the beak open with one hand while operating the eye dropper with the other. This tip is extremely handy for those endeavoring to rear foster birds. After a while one gets so adept at the procedure that one can work alone. This process, in time, is often enhanced by the birdie who suddenly realizes that there is food in the offing and therefore begins to enthusiastically go along cooperating with the procedure. And they begin to ingest the food offered without having to be force fed any longer. It also imprints the bird to us as an alien species making great pets out of them. This is how purposefully orphaned altricial infant birds are reared for the pet trade from day one. Shhh…this is our secret, okay?
Best wishes to all,
Neal, the Zooman

Welcome back Neal! I missed you.

 

[tj74roberts]

Ok, @tj74roberts and @Chrysolinsbirds,

I found the person that I ordered the feeders & waterers from, here is the website:

http://qcupoultry.com

I also got some nipple waterers from them but I haven't started using them yet. Good luck,

J.

Thanks so much. I will check them out.