California - Northern

[CackleJoy]

@chiqita

Does Mario know about turning a GQF hatcher into an incubator?

I did a bunch of sleuthing. I think it would be possible but the part is $170 AND it's only available for the newer models. The part and the hatcher would come to $545. Our local JS West sells the current years' incubators for $550. And they only use them April - June. I called them and its rather unfortunate, but they've already sold all of this years incubators.

I will be on the hunt now though. I did find a broken little incubator at Nasco - on SUPER clearance. We replaced the part and it will make a great hatcher as well as the Hovabator I'm already using.

I just think it's a little too slow if I have 6 different breeds and can only set eggs once a month. I'm so impressed with the Swedish Flower Hens that I might end up getting rid of the GL Wyandotte breeding stock. The SFH have only been laying about 3 weeks and their eggs are already bigger than the GLW! Still, the Hovabator only holds 41 eggs. One really must have a bigger incubator.

 

[CackleJoy]

The sick cockerel died. I can't send it in for necropsy, though I wish I could. Makes me so mad that I couldn't help him.

We suffered through something like that in February. It is very hard. Necropsy IS quite helpful with closure.

How old was your cockerel? I have a SFH cockerel that had points of his comb turning blue so I asked around. Found out that some breeds are showing up with heart failure about 7 - 10 months and one of the indications is the comb turning purple to black about 3 days before they die. Since then I found out that sometimes a comb will be a little off color when a cockerel is resting. Since my cockerel is fine now, I'm assuming that was the deal. We did wonder if that is why the Basque cockerel died as he was about 7 - 8 months. Necropsy only told us that they couldn't find the problem, so I guess it doesn't always provide answers.

So disappointing to lose a cockerel.

 

[CackleJoy]

Jason may be correct. I read a thread today where the comb going dark was caused by Mites and or Lice.

Mites and lice can cause anemia so that makes perfect sense. A dark comb indicates low oxygen. Anemic blood carries less O2 - hence the purple combs. I shall have to double check our flock. We treated and beat the mites and lice but it's already been 6 weeks since the last treatment. They were horrid!

 

[PetRock]

I've a bunch of chicks that have grown out and (unless the buyers back out) will be selling in the next week. Thinking I should invest in a bigger incubator because I'm gathering almost a dozen eggs a day for hatching.

I was looking at getting the incubator on CL but it had already sold.

They are telling me that the hatcher can be outfitted with an automatic turning unit and used as an incubator. Have any of you seen this done? I don't need a hatcher. I need an incubator. Retrofitting is a great idea as it could save money but I'd like to know for sure that it can be done.

It's a GQ 1250 hatcher

I would be interested in this if you find out how. I have a GQ 1550 hatcher that I use as an incubator for the first 18 days and then I set the eggs for hatch in my Hovabator Genesis. I put the eggs in the green plastic egg trays and turn them by first propping up one end of the tray, then laying it flat, and then propping up the other end of the tray. I also rotate the tray 1/4 turn once a day. I would love to retrofit it with an automatic turner.

 

[Chickengirl1304]

I've been using ivermectin for lice/mites. Is there a better choice? After dealing with my aunts cockerel today I'm going to go through every flock on my property tomorrow. So sad

 

[PetRock]

/ hugs to you chickengirl and SilkiesForEver. It sucks when they get sick. You feel so helpless.

Here is my funny story of the day.
.vet friend came over to pick up the chickens petrocks hubby dropped off and went to see pumpkins since her chest was all hard and I was worried. Pumpkins is not a fan of being moved from her eggs and sprayed poo at him!

He immeditly dodged and she broody pood my carpet!

It iz soaking in soap and orange oil right now and pumpkins got a clean bill of health. The 2 little boys sat there making tbe most alarmed faces it was very funny.

That turkey is armed and dangerous! Thank god it was not as sparkles broody poo..

Did he like Chuckles? I hope that they are good for him and make many beautiful babies!!! I just hatched a Bresse today. It was a huge egg and is a huge chick!

 

[EZFarms]

Bumping this

 

[EZFarms]

Okay my phoenix hen is acting broody again. (Going back in the nest box ,growling,puffing up,etc) is she trying tp brood? (Also i have a vid of her growling how do i upload it here?)

 

[chrissyr]

Can anyone tell me what is good bait for skunks? Apparently we have a small one and my dogs are on to it. I made the unfortunate mistake of letting my one dog in the house. She only had a very faint smell, not bad at all. After an hour, my whole house smells and have a headache to boot! Not sure how she only got faintly sprayed. Hopefully it's brains and not just luck

 

[chrissyr]

I had to upload mine first by posting it on my youtube account. then linking it here.