Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[Fred's Hens]

Boys and girls, in case you missed it, we are now into a new Tutorial. Big Al is our presenter. Best hush up back there, in the back row and keep your eyes on the front of the classroom.

 

[al6517]

Al,

10 colors. Cool. Spirals OK?

10 colors ought to do the job. Thinking I can cover all the parent stock and the chicks, according to parentage, with 10 colors.

They'll be no confusion in the incubator, because a batch would have 50% of Barred Rocks, pen 1, and 50% Reds. Staggered 'bator would have another 50% Red same/only pen and 50% Rocks from pen #2.

This should eliminate any and all confusion. Any time you see my thinking is whacko, don't be shy. I don't bruise easy.

Spirals are fine and it's what I use and prefer, although the little round pigeon bands work better on very young chicks, then you can move up in size starting with #4. Now you won't need a tone of different sizes but a few is ok, and you won't need a bunch of colors as long as you get different numbers. Sometimes I will use a wide sharpie to make an anotation at the end of the number to minimize the amount I have to order. Roosters always get their special designators so there is never any way to miss id them, hen groups should be colored and numbered in sequence. For example the BR hens will have 1-3 of green bands from # in order, the Reds will have blue bands 1-3 and so on & so forth. A toe punch will always ensure you never lose track if a band slips off, just insurance, as far as toe punching chicks this will help eliminate the need for a band so early on if you choose that route, always having a back-up option.

Your egg setting regimin is just fine, leaves no room for error, plus with the BR's you can color sex them straight out of the shell and at 2-3 day's old do a feather sex test.

 

[al6517]

Not that I'm going to go this deep into the whole breeding regime real soon but I'm confused about the hole punch chart. What does it mean? What are the birds on the left and right of the midline, and what does the number and position of those hole punches signify....you can give me the short version and I can work out all the rest. It's like ear notching on hogs or sheep, I get that part, but does everyone use this system or do they devise their own?

I will get to that Bee I promise, I won't forget you. I want to get Fred lined out first real quick, and I think the wife is chomping at the bit for us to get cleaned up and go into town for a little Christmas shopping and lunch.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Shoot, the spirals are cheap enough, I see no reason not to have a supply. Unless the shipping is crazy for some reason. Off to check on that issue.

 

[Fred's Hens]

We'll restart this after your trip into town. Oh boy, do I get that. SWMBO. Best be goin'.

 

[al6517]

Just for diversity in the disscussion, I use these sometimes. They are hatching bags, and eggs of different breeds and varieties and groups can all be seperated and hatched all at once in the same bator without having to do a bunch of modifications or other things that could be more difficult. The chicks hatch out just great and pulled from the hatching trays bag and all and we go from there. Just wanted to show you these in case some have never seen them.

 

[al6517]

We'll restart this after your trip into town. Oh boy, do I get that. SWMBO. Best be goin'.

I am good for a bit though, Fred. what's next Brother. yea bands are cheap enough to just a have a bunch to choose from in a breeders bag of tricks.

 

[fowlman01]

Later in the summer, the Reese Barred Rocks will go broody. I'll let them do their thing. Whatever they add naturally, that is just fine.

I have found that the better birds seem to come from the ones incubated and brooded by the mommie, but it is not efficient if you want a lot of birds. Be careful if you use the spiral plastic bands without numbers. They can cut a leg. Use colored cable ties for quick recognition. Al will tell you the rest. Just wanted to be sure that you didn't use the plastic wire spirals without a heads up.

Walt

 

[Zanna]

Just for diversity in the disscussion, I use these sometimes. They are hatching bags, and eggs of different breeds and varieties and groups can all be seperated and hatched all at once in the same bator without having to do a bunch of modifications or other things that could be more difficult. The chicks hatch out just great and pulled from the hatching trays bag and all and we go from there. Just wanted to show you these in case some have never seen them.










Cool!!! Where do you get those? I need some in about a month. Sure would beat all the types of containers and dividers I have rigged up and tried through the years for my Genesis Hovabator! Unless I cap the dividers some of the little buggers leap over them This would also allow you to see them well when they hatch!

 

[al6517]

Quote:


Good point Walt, whatever is chosen you need to be vigilant and do frequent leg inspections often.