d'anver lovers,discuss the breed and post some pics!

[K Epp]

The one we have isn't mean but he will peck at us when we pick him up or I should say catch him. I had him in during the last of this cold snap and when I went to bring him out he was pecking at my pocket. He was chasing the turkey again this morning. I'm going to give these until tomorrow ant the toss them. Both the D'anver have boots on now, but that lighter one seems to have something else going on because its legs aren't holding it up. I need to figure out how to help it. It just lays on its belly. and chips ALL the time. i have been making sure it drinks and sprinkling food around it. Should I put it in a hairspray lid to hold it up right? I have run out of ideas. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[speckledhen]

I'd remove the boots and if the hock joints are bad, there isn't anything you can do, Karen. I've had to put down one like that in the past, if I recall. I never let them go past 48 hours unless I see real progress. Wish I had a better prognosis for you on that one. Want to add that since the others didn't hatch, that leg issue is probably an incubation issue. Can't say for sure, but that would be my guess. It happens, unfortunately.

 

[laseterlass]

I made my own hydrometer. A thin strip of cheesecloth with one end in the water trough and the other laying on the bulb of a thermometer. Living in AK with forced air a dry hatch would never work.

 

[K Epp]

I'd remove the boots and if the hock joints are bad, there isn't anything you can do, Karen. I've had to put down one like that in the past, if I recall. I never let them go past 48 hours unless I see real progress. Wish I had a better prognosis for you on that one. Want to add that since the others didn't hatch, that leg issue is probably an incubation issue. Can't say for sure, but that would be my guess. It happens, unfortunately.

That's what I'm thinking. I have hatched out several rounds of chicks in this Hovabator (still air), but all were in the summer and in my garage where it has been humid. I had it in the house on my desk which sits behind the door so next round I will move it and use a hydrometer. I hope I can keep at least one of them going so the Silkie wont be alone.

 

[K Epp]

I made my own hydrometer. A thin strip of cheesecloth with one end in the water trough and the other laying on the bulb of a thermometer. Living in AK with forced air a dry hatch would never work.

Do you have a picture and how do you read it?

 

[speckledhen]

I bet that was it, too dry. Still air bators have their own issues, generally, anyway. I have a brand new set-thermostat Genesis Hovabator here with my Spot Check thermometer, a replacement post-house-fire (my bator was out on the table when it happened so insurance paid for a new one). I could hatch chicks for you, but would have to at least charge you a little bit per chick I was able to hatch for being the "bator jockey" for 3 weeks. Could do it it you wanted me to, though. It'd be up to you, but it's a thought. I have 18 or 19 eggs here ready to go as soon as they came up to room temp from being in the basement where I store them. I've never used this bator, but they are supposed to be really good.

 

[laseterlass]

Do you have a picture and how do you read it?

I took pics of it but would have to hunt for them. The temp the thermometer reads is the humidity read. I found the directions by googling.
Ehow is the directions I used

 

[laseterlass]

I also color the water to see the level easier. I do not have the hydrometer in this bator as I know the humidity from experience. At lock down I will fill the two large gutters and add a sponge. Humidity must build on the windows at lock down.

 

[speckledhen]

Usually, if there is condensation on the window, the humidity is considered too high because when the first chick hatches, it will rise automatically anyway. That's when you'd open up all air holes to let it out. Coloring the water is a great idea, for sure, though in my old bator, I colored the underside of the plastic tray with red or blue magic marker so I could see where the channels were. Otherwise, it sure is hard to see, isn't it?

I have the Genesis ready to go and the eggs coming up to near room temp (the bsmt is about 55* where I store them prior to hatching). This will be a great test of the incubator. I'm calibrating the hygro and that should be finished by 10 p.m. tonight. That is easy to do, just a pile of wet salt in an open container and the hygro near it in a closed ziplock bag. By 8-10 hours, it should read 75%. If not, you know how much it's off by and adjust your readings accordingly. Will have to get out my big sponges later on or I may get some new ones, or just might soak these in Oxine water to be sure they're okay, even though I do that after every hatch.

 

[laseterlass]

I get great hatches. 100% on my eggs Average 70% on shipped. I started with quail eggs which are supposed to be more difficult, a few years ago, now I am on to chicken. The eggs pictured may not go so well as some were not warm when collected