Consolidated Kansas

[chicken danz]

I've had really good luck with the digital thermometer/hygrometer combinations I buy at Walmart for under $10. I have taken several of them and tested them together and they all tend to read out almost identical. It sure beats calibrating a hygrometer. Be sure the batteries are good and fresh though because you will get off readings when they are low.
I absolutely love the GQFs but you have to be serious about hatching to justify the expense. The styro bators work fine if you can get the temp set, they have a fan and you make adjustments so they will hold more humidity. I only use mine when all the GQFs are full. They just take more monitoring. You will also have temperature swings in the styros that you won't get in a cabinet incubator unless you have it set properly in stable temperature away from heat vents or drafts.
I like brooding chicks in the fall but I wouldn't be putting any outside in the next several days. It is just too cool. I moved a light up just a little too far and lost a 2 week old chick last night because they crowded together. Unfortunately it was an expensive chick to boot!

 

[maidenwolfx80]

HEChicken and Danz- thank you so much for the info. Ok so dont up protein up fat. I already give fresh veggies and fruit and HEChicken mine are spoiled brats and have been getting a mash twice a day since I have had them lol. I love the idea of the gamebird mash in the am and pm though. Danz it makes perfect sense, I thank you for the input helping steer me in the right direction. I knew they needed an up in something for winter and I just want to make sure I up the right thing. I will keep on with what I normally give then. Also a lady in town has told me that for as long as she can remember she will give her flock the medicated chick starter just to consume a couple bags to give the med, I didnt think they needed it anymore after they graduated from that feed, anyone ever hear of this?

 

[chicken danz]

That makes sense on the turkeys/feed etc.

So sorry about your Olandsk. I must admit, when you said she had been shipped - alone - I did worry a lot about her, since it was right as the cold snap was starting, after days of hot weather. Have you been in touch with the shipper? Where do you go from here? I wonder why he chose to ship right as the weather was getting cold instead of doing it earlier this week or waiting until next week.

Well he lives in South Carolina so I am sure the temps are wonderful down there. I'm envious! I wrote him but it wasn't his fault. I would have rather he held her for a couple more weeks and let her get more size before he shipped. He should have some more in the next few weeks and I may just buy another small group so they can help keep each other warm. These darn birds are so pricy though and then the shipping cost eats your lunch.
He did pay the shipping cost since he made an error and sent the wrong breed in the first place. It is just sad that she didn't make it.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Danz-- gosh darn the poor bird had a hard time it is sad to think if she froze to death

 

[cherwill]

Here is 2 of them just yesterday with their pretty feathering. They just get cabin fever being stuck indoors all day. Last week they were out all ay long while we had nice weather. Even on the cooler windy day they loved it. I wouldnt have them sleeping out there yet because I dont have their grow out pen assembled , another project for theis weekend, and with the weather suddenly cold I have kept them in. If the sun were out I wouldnt be as worried,,,ok yea Iwould I am a mom its my job,,, anyway any advice would be wonderful. I just have never brooded chicks in fall always spring..

So pretty! They're so cute when they're young and still have some fuzz on their heads.

Well I got a call from the post office and my olandsk chick arrived. However it arrived dead. I think it must have gotten chilled cause everything looked good in the packaging and the box was intact. Dang it! Upsets me! I did also get my eggs from Hinkjc so they will go in the bator first thing tomorrow. I'm hoping for a good hatch because these are a gift for my daughter.

That's too bad about the little chick.

I'm making fruit tarts for my nephew's birthday tonight. The crusts are in the oven and heating up the house nicely! This afternoon, during the "warm" part of the day, we need to go to the garden and take out all our poles and trellises. The man who manages the garden wants everything out by the end of the month so he can till all the plots at once. He also tills in the spring before we all get out to start planting.

 

[cubbysan]

Just checking in since I haven't in a while. Been reading a lot of the posts, boy am I learning a lot.

I had to go back to RI the past week because my mother had open heart surgery to replace her aorta due to an aneurysm. She is doing great now.

Came back to my husband still working on the chicken coop. It just gets more elaborate every day! He is now making the pen and predator proofing everything. Hopefully we can move the chickens in today or tomorrow. I will post the pictures this weekend. My 15 year old daughter says it is not fair that the chickens get a playhouse and she never did!

I am thinking about maybe taking my 9 year old to the National tomorrow. Is there a website where we can find some details? She is obsessed with her chickens, this might be a great learning experience. We have been to many dog and cat shows, but never a chicken show!

 

[Trish44]

Danz, I'm sorry about your chick. You're having about the same luck with that breed like I did with the Cream Legbars & then when I did finally get some chicks they got sick. They're all doing better now, but I think some of them will have lasting effects from this illness, we'll see how it goes, but they have been stunted in growth from being sick. I'm giving all of the ones in the grow-out pen vitamins in their water to help give them a boost. I figure they can use it after all they've been through, the illness & then the mites. I'm going to go out this afternoon & put some more sevin in the dog house to make sure everything is killed. I had taken all the bedding out of the pen already & let it all dry out then put all new dry stuff in, so that had to help.

Hawkeye, I hope you have a good time at the show & be careful!

It's so cold here today, the wind just goes right through you. The chickens don't really even want to go out today either. Stay warm everyone & have a good day!

 

[chickmama1662]

cubbysan, is this the show in Sedalia? The information I have calls it the Missouri State Poultry Assoc Show & Swap Meet? I don't see anything where it is referred to as a National.

 

[Kansas Prairie]

Quote: Thanks for your help.
I haven't calibrated the hygometer.

What temp is your incubator? These come preset, they are adjustable.

Because of the government protected overpopulated hawks (my pet peeve) I'm down to 2 roosters, they are RIR probably more hatchery production than true RIR. The eggs are fertile but I'm wanting something other than RIR. There is a possibility some of my young Plymouth barred rocks maybe roos. I'd like to have more Australorps but will probably need to wait until spring. I think I could quickly get addicted to hatching if my hatch rate was a better %.

 

[cherwill]

One of my niece's ducks in his Halloween costume: