Colorado

[Ashdoes]

Have some super wet snow coming down right now here in Peyton, nothing sticking.

 

[Pozees]

Moved eggs to hatcher tonight, not one of the 21 Midget White Turkey eggs made it Have a dozen more in there from another breeder, if nothing comes of them, I will order poults from somewhere. There are 28 chicken eggs in there, but unusually, I did not see any internal pips, and shells are so dark on most of them I can't see much except dark and air cell, so basically just hoping for the best

Should know by Saturday whether it looks like I'll get a good hatch.

I don't know whether we will be able to work out a group order from Doc, it doesn't sound like pickup is an option due to biosecurity concerns for her rare breeds - I understand, she has a significant investment she cannot afford to risk - and if anyone wants to order from her individually her minimum is 8 chicks. She is in Delta, CO and shipping to a Denver PO is likely to reach you faster than shipping to me in Pueblo anyway. I did inquire about a juvenile trio of Ameraucanas but she is very busy at present and I may not have an answer very soon, I will keep all posted. If she has availability at a price I can swing, perhaps I'll be able to hatch some chicks for you later this summer.

I will also start a search for Bantam Wheaten Ameraucana chicks or eggs, I know a couple folks wanted them badly last year, and our order was not filled, I have not heard from Mr. Urch thus far, and if I find another source, especially in state, I will cancel and let you all know. If someone here knows of a good source for hatching eggs, chicks, or a pair or trio, feel free to let me know. I am not afraid to stuff the incubator with some eggs so you get what you wanted.

 

[trsturself]

I would love some bantam americaunas!
We got our eggs today. Stupid PO paid no attention to the HOLD AT PO and CALL #### on the box and instead sent it out for delivery. I was home at 10 and could've picked it up but had to drive to WY today so I didn't get home until 7. Of course the box is on it's side paying no attention to the THIS SIDE UP written on the box, and sitting out in the snow. Only good thing was they stuck it under a little overhand we have so at least the box wasn't soaked.
The box didn't feel too cold though and the eggs were well packed so hopefully we can get at least some of them to hatch. We're letting them come to temp tonight then I'll put them in the incubator tomorrow, and start turning on Sat.
Unfortunately I'll be gone all next week so I hope the incubator works perfectly so DH only has to worry about turning them.

Too bad he has to deal with our hurt chicken too. We've had to stitch her crop closed 4 times now. We think she is pecking the thread out. This last time I was setting her on the sink and she struggled and put her claw right into the hole, made a new hole, and then ripped them together. So she had a large gaping hole on the bottom of her crop. We flushed it, wrapped her in a towel, laid her on her back and DH sewed her back up. Then covered it in super glue (we've tried super glue and even liquid nails type stuff already), then put the little piece of skin that's left on it and feathers and pushed it all down hoping it will protect it a little. Then I found some vet wrap type wrap and wrapped her all up. Hopefully that will keep her from pecking out the stitches. Poor thing is starving. I let her drink a lot to flush out her crop so hopefully she at least feels like she got a drink. She's in a covered cage inside right now so hopefully she's just sleeping letting that crop seal.
Tomorrow I'm only going to let her have a drop or two of vitamin water at a time. No food. I don't want to stress the crop out at all.
If it still leaks tomorrow we're going to have no choice but to put her down. It's so hard because she doesn't even act injured. She's active, hungry, etc.

 

[Pozees]

I would love some bantam americaunas!
We got our eggs today. Stupid PO paid no attention to the HOLD AT PO and CALL #### on the box and instead sent it out for delivery. I was home at 10 and could've picked it up but had to drive to WY today so I didn't get home until 7. Of course the box is on it's side paying no attention to the THIS SIDE UP written on the box, and sitting out in the snow. Only good thing was they stuck it under a little overhand we have so at least the box wasn't soaked.
The box didn't feel too cold though and the eggs were well packed so hopefully we can get at least some of them to hatch. We're letting them come to temp tonight then I'll put them in the incubator tomorrow, and start turning on Sat.
Unfortunately I'll be gone all next week so I hope the incubator works perfectly so DH only has to worry about turning them.

Too bad he has to deal with our hurt chicken too. We've had to stitch her crop closed 4 times now. We think she is pecking the thread out. This last time I was setting her on the sink and she struggled and put her claw right into the hole, made a new hole, and then ripped them together. So she had a large gaping hole on the bottom of her crop. We flushed it, wrapped her in a towel, laid her on her back and DH sewed her back up. Then covered it in super glue (we've tried super glue and even liquid nails type stuff already), then put the little piece of skin that's left on it and feathers and pushed it all down hoping it will protect it a little. Then I found some vet wrap type wrap and wrapped her all up. Hopefully that will keep her from pecking out the stitches. Poor thing is starving. I let her drink a lot to flush out her crop so hopefully she at least feels like she got a drink. She's in a covered cage inside right now so hopefully she's just sleeping letting that crop seal.
Tomorrow I'm only going to let her have a drop or two of vitamin water at a time. No food. I don't want to stress the crop out at all.
If it still leaks tomorrow we're going to have no choice but to put her down. It's so hard because she doesn't even act injured. She's active, hungry, etc.

Look at the feed store or on revival animal's website for wound sealer, it's skin glue - probably the super glue is very close, I was just thinking this stuff is actually made to seal a wound so maybe it has properties the super glue doesn't. Vet wrap should help protect it for sure. if it isn't leaking you can grind up some crumble and even sift it, mix with water (I use my stick blender) and cut the tip off a syringe and get some calories into her. That way no pointy grain ends poking around in her crop. She may actually even eat it herself so you wouldn't need a syringe.

Cold eggs, as long as they aren't frozen, are way better than hot eggs. Check air cells before you start turning, if they are still loose you can leave them 5 days without turning.

 

[trsturself]

Thanks! Hopefully with the stitches holding it closed it will seal. I'll look for that wound sealer though. Sounds like a good thing to have on hand. We have some crumbles and I might do that. I'm also thinking of giving her a little yogurt at a time. I won't have to worry about the syringe with this girl, she is starving and tries to eat our hands when we go in there! lol We've done the syringe trick plenty of times in the past though. It works!

Good to hear cold is better than hot. It was 33 when I made it home but the eggs didn't feel colder than 40-50. We candled them last night. We saw a few good air cells, a few floating ones, and some I couldn't see the air cell at all on. We'll candle them again in the morning before deciding whether to turn or not. Good to know it can wait 5 days. Thanks!
Another question, I read on one of the hatching eggs post that you count day 1 after the first 24 hours. Is that how everyone does it? I printed out the egg tracking sheet and don't know if I should put the temps for today on day 1 or tomorrows.
Thanks for any help

 

[warbirds]

Doc, is there ever a time you travel toward us that I could meet you somewhere and buy some chicks from you? I love the REAL Ameraucanas as well, and would be glad to pick up chicks for whoever else in my direction might want some. If that doesn't work, do you permit people to come directly to your place to buy chicks?

My hubby takes trailer loads of our cull birds to Brighton a couple of times a year, as I've posted on here before. We have stopped offering to bring along bird/chick orders as several on this thread have left him literally standing in the cold waiting to meet with people who never arrive.

Folks can come to Delta to pick up chicks/birds, but not from the ranch directly. We practice strict biosecurity due to the number of very rare breeds we work with here. I know many on this thread poo-poo that notion, but, I've been raising birds for decades, and until you have experienced mass deaths due to someone bringing along a disease with them, you just don't know how devastating that can be!

Practically speaking, shipping is FAR cheaper than someone driving for hours in each direction at today's fuel prices. I've shipped all over Colorado, the shipping rates even with the new USPS rates is still the best deal.............within 12 to 36 hours the babies arrive, at the cost of half a tank of fuel, faster even than hatchery chicks can get to you.

Doc

 

[warbirds]

P.S. to Doc - as I recall you have Sussex as well? Maybe I do just need to go all the way to you LOL

Yes, large numbers of Sussex. One of the perennial favorites here.

 

[warbirds]

Moved eggs to hatcher tonight, not one of the 21 Midget White Turkey eggs made it Have a dozen more in there from another breeder, if nothing comes of them, I will order poults from somewhere. There are 28 chicken eggs in there, but unusually, I did not see any internal pips, and shells are so dark on most of them I can't see much except dark and air cell, so basically just hoping for the best

Should know by Saturday whether it looks like I'll get a good hatch.

I don't know whether we will be able to work out a group order from Doc, it doesn't sound like pickup is an option due to biosecurity concerns for her rare breeds - I understand, she has a significant investment she cannot afford to risk - and if anyone wants to order from her individually her minimum is 8 chicks. She is in Delta, CO and shipping to a Denver PO is likely to reach you faster than shipping to me in Pueblo anyway. I did inquire about a juvenile trio of Ameraucanas but she is very busy at present and I may not have an answer very soon, I will keep all posted. If she has availability at a price I can swing, perhaps I'll be able to hatch some chicks for you later this summer.

I will also start a search for Bantam Wheaten Ameraucana chicks or eggs, I know a couple folks wanted them badly last year, and our order was not filled, I have not heard from Mr. Urch thus far, and if I find another source, especially in state, I will cancel and let you all know. If someone here knows of a good source for hatching eggs, chicks, or a pair or trio, feel free to let me know. I am not afraid to stuff the incubator with some eggs so you get what you wanted.

Sorry, meant to get on here yesterday but the neighbor's house burnt down so it was a stressful day in these parts..............

A group order would mean everyone would need to order at the same time. I've got reservations out to May on several breeds/varieties that you all seem to be interested in, so the sooner everyone got together and did that, the better. Mid-June is about the time it starts getting too hot to ship chicks across our state, so keep that in mind as well.

Pozees, I'll get back with you in a bit about the juvenile trio of Ameraucana, must catch up with some other business first.

Stay warm and dry, everyone! And hug those you love and remember we can lose all we have in a moment, so treasure each moment!

Doc

 

[suncatcher]

Tr, Hope your little hen makes it!

Pozee, Best of luck on your just added MW turkey eggs. What breed are the really dark eggs you are incubating now? Marans?

We ended up with around five inches of wet snow overnight, so ready for some warmer weather.......

 

[maggiemo]

I will also start a search for Bantam Wheaten Ameraucana chicks or eggs, I know a couple folks wanted them badly last year, and our order was not filled, I have not heard from Mr. Urch thus far, and if I find another source, especially in state, I will cancel and let you all know.

I was in on that order. I often wondered how it was left. Are you saying we still might get the Bantam Wheaten Ameraucana chicks?