California - Northern

[Meg2000000]

I couldn't resist any more so I just candled some of the eggs. Its early yet--Depending on how you count the days it's day 4 or 5 of incubation. One of the EO Marraduna Basque eggs either has a blood ring or one crazy vein for so early. I moved it to the I am watching it spot.

I did see veining in some which is a great sign for so early.

The Pita Pintas had some veining too! It is very hard to see into the Partridges Penedesencas but I am pretty sure there was some veining in one or two of the ones I candled.

I am using a Brinsea High intensity candler so I can see into dark eggs. I did not check all of them -- just could not stand it any more so I had to candle some.

Marraduna Basque

Pita Pintas

Partridge Penedesencas

Ron

Edited to correct spelling

Ahhhhhhhhhh!! I'm so happy!

 

[Meg2000000]

Quote:
Ron I see you have some too..
$$$$$$$$$$$ money talks

Ron is incubating them for me! He's the best!!

 

[Meg2000000]

Thanks for calming me down Ron! Haha I feel better knowing my Basques are safe! I'm still waiting for the breeder to call me back.

Today I went to The Omelet Ranch and finally met Cheryl (cherylcohen)! I also picked up 3 new members of the family: Silver Penciled Plymouth Rock pullets! They are going to be our layer flock. They are GORGEOUS! Cheryl is doing amazing work!

I also got an incubator for my birthday! So excited to hatch some eggs myself one day. It sounds like an amazing process to be a part of. Woohoo!

Johnny finished the basics of our chicken pen today! The Basque's were so happy to be in there! We're planning on attaching some hanging containers made out of rain gutters to the sides and planting ground cover for the chickens. This is so fun!
"Aerial" view

Front view

 

[Papa Brooder]

Idea for heat relief for chickens:
I don't know if everyone already does this but I collected a bunch of 2 Liter bottles and filled them up about 3/4s full of water. Put them in my freezer overnight and around 1-2 pm I bring them up out and make a biiig bottle bed by fitting them all together. I was worried the chickens wouldn't figure it out but actually they did! They all climbed on top of the bottle nest to cool off in the shade. Reduced their panting a lot! I had put a roost bar in their yard and saw they were hanging out on it (it's like 6 inches above the ground)- so today I am going to put the bottles underneath the roost bar so the cool air can rise and try that. They were kind slipping around on the ice bed before. So maybe this helps. My next experiment if possible- an old thin sheet on top of the bottles so their feet can grip but the coolness can get through the thin sheet. The chickens really liked huddling on it yesterday without the sheet!

want to swing by and give my chickens some relief? I am so worried about them... just trying not to think of it as I am not at home and my neighbor is "watching" them. This is their strongest heat test. I lost one last time it got really hot, one of my SFHs. So hoping I don't come back to any dead chickens. I keep wanting to text the neighbor and ask him to do something but then I restrain myself. Trying to relax and enjoy my coastal vacation while my chickens are cooking in redding!

 

[Meg2000000]

Idea for heat relief for chickens:
I don't know if everyone already does this but I collected a bunch of 2 Liter bottles and filled them up about 3/4s full of water. Put them in my freezer overnight and around 1-2 pm I bring them up out and make a biiig bottle bed by fitting them all together. I was worried the chickens wouldn't figure it out but actually they did! They all climbed on top of the bottle nest to cool off in the shade. Reduced their panting a lot! I had put a roost bar in their yard and saw they were hanging out on it (it's like 6 inches above the ground)- so today I am going to put the bottles underneath the roost bar so the cool air can rise and try that. They were kind slipping around on the ice bed before. So maybe this helps. My next experiment if possible- an old thin sheet on top of the bottles so their feet can grip but the coolness can get through the thin sheet. The chickens really liked huddling on it yesterday without the sheet!

Thanks for the tip!! We are trying it tomorrow

 

[Papa Brooder]

Thanks for calming me down Ron! Haha I feel better knowing my Basques are safe! I'm still waiting for the breeder to call me back.

Today I went to The Omelet Ranch and finally met Cheryl (cherylcohen)! I also picked up 3 new members of the family: Silver Penciled Plymouth Rock pullets! They are going to be our layer flock. They are GORGEOUS! Cheryl is doing amazing work!

I also got an incubator for my birthday! So excited to hatch some eggs myself one day. It sounds like an amazing process to be a part of. Woohoo!

Johnny finished the basics of our chicken pen today! The Basque's were so happy to be in there! We're planning on attaching some hanging containers made out of rain gutters to the sides and planting ground cover for the chickens. This is so fun!
"Aerial" view

Front view

Looks great. I love those birds. If I hadn't given myself the firm NO MORE NEW BREEDS a month ago I would have already bought multiple dozens of eggs to hatch. I'm working to settle down into 5-7 breeds which is still way too many but I will have 13 4x4 coops and about 8 specific breeding pens for pairs or trios. love how my little chicken project has turned into a production... great pullets though. love the look of those.

 

[Papa Brooder]

Calling for 109 here in Redding. Stay cool Norcal peeps and chooks!

I couldn't handle it any longer. despite my plans to leave it be, i just texted the neighbor and asked him about doing something to cool off the chickens tomorrow. i'm so weak!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Silver Penciled Plymouth Rock pullets! They are GORGEOUS! Cheryl is doing amazing work!

This thread is dangerous because you all keep showing off such beautiful birds and I want them! (Feel like Veruca Salt. I want an Oompa Loompa!) These rocks are way prettier than my poor hatchery SLW. (Silver Blotched Wyandotte more like!) and they'll probably have a better temperament, too. Ah well, live and learn.

Your coop looks great!

I couldn't handle it any longer. despite my plans to leave it be, i just texted the neighbor and asked him about doing something to cool off the chickens tomorrow. i'm so weak!

Not weak, responsible!

Maybe now you can enjoy your vacation,as you should! The neighbor won't mind, I'm sure, especially with payment in fresh eggs!

 

[Meg2000000]

Quote: I couldn't handle it any longer. despite my plans to leave it be, i just texted the neighbor and asked him about doing something to cool off the chickens tomorrow. i'm so weak!

Lol when I was on vacation I emailed the chicken sitter once a week for pictures and an update. Hahaha

 

[Meg2000000]

Good luck, Ron and show us pictures when the time comes!

Quote:

Good luck Ron! You wouldn't believe how hard it was to wait 26 days for my JG to hatch.
Quote: Thank you All!

I plan on trying some candling pictures. My new camera should be able to work for that.

26 days! The latest for me so far was 23 days for a Marans.

Do your Penedesencas handle the heat well? I lost one of my Marans cockerels to the heat Today today. The only ones I have had problems with in the heat have been marans. I love the dark eggs but if they can't take the heat they won't really work here. The Basque were fine and the Dorking AMs in the same pen were fine too.

Good night all! Ice packs in the pens tomorrow...

Ron

Aww Ron, I'm sorry for your loss. :-( Penedesencas are supposed to be a pretty hardy. Maybe you would like to try them?