Colorado

[Mtn Margie]

Welcome samsr ! Wendell, sounds like the idea has morphed into a real thing! I worry about your bio-security. (You have a year of hard work into a really cool project) Maybe we should keep our chickens in their respective crates in a specific area, perhaps with a disposable tarp on the ground. (Or something like that.) It is just that chicken poo has a way of traveling and when you throw kids into the mix, well.....

 

[wsmith]

Welcome samsr ! Wendell, sounds like the idea has morphed into a real thing! I worry about your bio-security. (You have a year of hard work into a really cool project) Maybe we should keep our chickens in their respective crates in a specific area, perhaps with a disposable tarp on the ground. (Or something like that.) It is just that chicken poo has a way of traveling and when you throw kids into the mix, well.....

That's what I was thinking too. If we have any chickens there they would have to stay in cages, probably olong one of the fences.
When we get this formalized, we can also anounce it on the forum in the the chickenstock area. I would like to get participation from 4H people as well......

 

[Pozees]

Pozees- I don't remember if I mentioned it but the temp and humidity gauge on he farm innovator I got were both horribly inaccurate. Make sure you have a reliable thermometer/hydrometer in the incubator. I got a zoo tech little combo for $7, much more accurate and I was able to calibrate it.

I did notice they are both way off, I have two thermometers inside the incubator, and once the temp gets above 80 degrees all bets are off. Where did you get your zoo tech combo? I have not been able to find a hygrometer anywhere.

 

[WendyGeisler]

Wendell,
your gathering sounds wonderful!
I can't wait.


Here is my first blue egg! Soo excited, and here is the chicken who laid it!

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

I did notice they are both way off, I have two thermometers inside the incubator, and once the temp gets above 80 degrees all bets are off.  Where did you get your zoo tech combo?  I have not been able to find a hygrometer anywhere.

Amazon.com They have the cheap version I got and a higher probe version too. Technically they are for reptiles but they work well enough in the incubator.

 

[Mtn Margie]

I did notice they are both way off, I have two thermometers inside the incubator, and once the temp gets above 80 degrees all bets are off. Where did you get your zoo tech combo? I have not been able to find a hygrometer anywhere.

How about Petsmart, Petco and the like?

 

[Chesterchook]

Welcome samsr!
Pozees, looking forward to hearing how your kit build turns out, good luck!
Looking forward to chicken fest 2013, I work out of state for 2-3 weeks at a time but when I'm in town I'd be happy to help however I can.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

How about Petsmart, Petco  and the like?

There is a very good chance they have them. Zoo med seems to be popular for reptile cages.

 

[Pozees]

I agree with you both on the biosecurity, and would add that anyone wishing to sell birds should bring containers for them to leave in if they don't want to sell them in whatever crate they bring them in. Like if someone brings a wire crate or plastic kennel that has 6 chicks in it, bring 6 little boxes with air holes already poked into them just in case 6 different people each buy one. Bring your own waterer and feeder and something for shade.

It has nothing to do with trust and everything to do with the fact each of us has different native critters living in the air and soil. Put chickens under stress and that combination can create illness.

Once you get a feel for how many people will participate with live chicks and chickens you should be able to figure out the best way to manage it. You might ask folks who have one to bring a card table, so the crate can sit on top for better viewing and underneath for shade the rest of the time.

I might try to think of ways to participate virtually if I have extras right then. Maybe I'll post pictures of what I have on my coloradochickens page the week before, and I can bring anthing pre-sold with me.

 

[Pozees]

There is a very good chance they have them. Zoo med seems to be popular for reptile cages.

Genius idea! Thanks!