Delawares from kathyinmo

[LeslieDJoyce]

She dared to BITE me.  That's one brave bird....birds have been killed for less.  She'd be safer biting the dog. 

My DelaRoo is very bossy ... I think he might need more hens to take care of. He's always shoving food at the two he's got.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Oh, sorry to hear that. I do understand though with all she has been through. I often ask myself what the heck I am doing and I am now the proud owner of a 270 egg incubator, as well as two 42'ers. Where is the Smiley that has it's hair standing on end???

What brand is the 270 egg incubator? Does it have a hatching tray (I understand you yourself won't be hatching in it as you're using your smaller incubators as designated hatchers ...)?

Since I'm really only planning on hatching eggs from the Delawares this year, I'm trying to figure out how I can have a system where the eggs progress through an incubator and then hatch ... so maybe I only have to buy one thing, but can gather eggs for 10-12 days, then put a batch in the incubator ... is this logical?

Anyone have recommendations for shopping for such a setup?

I do really like the price of the GQF Genesis 1588 with turning tray, and it gets great reviews, but if I get 3 of those (rotating one every 10 or 12 days, the price creeps up to what I'd pay for a cabinet model anyway, right?

WHY aren't my hens going broody this year? Last year every nest box was full of broody so there was hardly a place for a productive girl to squat. This year ... nadia. Am I being too good about collecting eggs?

 

[Zanna]

What brand is the 270 egg incubator? Does it have a hatching tray (I understand you yourself won't be hatching in it as you're using your smaller incubators as designated hatchers ...)?

Since I'm really only planning on hatching eggs from the Delawares this year, I'm trying to figure out how I can have a system where the eggs progress through an incubator and then hatch ... so maybe I only have to buy one thing, but can gather eggs for 10-12 days, then put a batch in the incubator ... is this logical?

Anyone have recommendations for shopping for such a setup?

I do really like the price of the GQF Genesis 1588 with turning tray, and it gets great reviews, but if I get 3 of those (rotating one every 10 or 12 days, the price creeps up to what I'd pay for a cabinet model anyway, right?

WHY aren't my hens going broody this year? Last year every nest box was full of broody so there was hardly a place for a productive girl to squat. This year ... nadia. Am I being too good about collecting eggs?

I have the sportsman digital, can't rememer the model # but it is the newer one. The cheapest place I could find was through a company in Eugene called Kemps Coops. They dont' have a retail outlet you have to order through the computer or telephone, then the unit is drop shipped direct from GQF. I asked GQF if they would match the price or at least come a little closer and I would order direct from them but they wouldn't.

You would only need two 1588's. That is what I have used for years. You just keep putting your eggs for setting in the one and hatch in the other. I did some every 7 days which made the timing a little tight for finishing a hatch that had a few late hatchers then getting it cleaned and ready for the next ones but it worked. Hatches every 10 - 12 days would be easy

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I have the sportsman digital, can't rememer the model # but it is the newer one.  The cheapest place I could find was  through a company in Eugene called Kemps Coops.  They dont' have a retail outlet you have to order through the computer or telephone, then the unit is drop shipped direct from GQF.  I asked GQF if they would match the price or at least come a little closer and I would order direct from them but they wouldn't.

That's the one I was looking at ... But am torn between that and two or three of the simple small ones that could be hooked to a 12 v in an emergency ...

 

[Zanna]

That's the one I was looking at ... But am torn between that and two or three of the simple small ones that could be hooked to a 12 v in an emergency ...

Ah yes, had a power outage once for 8 hours and hooked the 1588 up to a car battery. Had my best hatch ever!

 

[finnfur]

For about $200 you can build a dynamite incubator from a old upright freezer- working on one now - Wekiva has a nice one maybe she will post some pics / info- most parts are available places like incubator warehouse

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

For about $200 you can build a dynamite incubator from a old upright freezer- working on one now - Wekiva has a nice one maybe she will post some pics / info- most parts are available places like incubator warehouse

It pains me to say this because I'm a very DIY person, but ... this is definitely a project for a less ambitions time. I need to figure out too many things at once right now to be feeling super excited about building an incubator ... and I don't have anyone to help me lift/move a freezer at the moment ...

 

[finnfur]

It pains me to say this because I'm a very DIY person, but ... this is definitely a project for a less ambitions time. I need to figure out too many things at once right now to be feeling super excited about building an incubator ... and I don't have anyone to help me lift/move a freezer at the moment ...

Hey - understand completely - This winter has drug me down . I can't get any projects done because of semi emergency repairs [ like frozen pipes etc ].
Soon as I get one handled another pops up - seems like a never ending cycle - as John Lennon said " Life is what happens while your busy making plans"

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Hey -  understand completely - This winter has drug me down . I can't get any projects done because of semi emergency repairs [ like frozen pipes etc ].
Soon as I get one handled another pops up - seems like a never ending cycle - as John Lennon said " Life is what happens while your busy making plans"

We do seem to go from one catastrophe to another around here. We keep thinking next season will be calmer. Been thinking that for so many years the notion of Maintenance has been completely replaced by Emergency Repairs ... whackamole.

At the moment my life would be infinitely easier if I had a broody hen.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

It pains me to say this because I'm a very DIY person, but ... this is definitely a project for a less ambitions time. I need to figure out too many things at once right now to be feeling super excited about building an incubator ... and I don't have anyone to help me lift/move a freezer at the moment ...

I have a plywood bator. Much easier.