EDUCATIONAL INCUBATION & HATCHING CHAT THREAD, w/ Sally Sunshine Shipped Eggs

[dan26552]

So slow today.

 

[kwhites634]

So slow today.

Slow?
How about non-existent?

 

[Pensmaster]

Slow?
How about non-existent?

Well I've been to the dump with my neighbor, moved a downed tree off the road and lockdown for 24 eggs. Just had lunch all home grown.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That rules out all Missourians...

Are you referring to me?

or if you have any leftovers that are meat, all of my birds love them

Chickens get all the meat and fish leftovers here. There aren't usually enough to go around unless I grill up some meat that's been in the freezer too long.
A grilled opossum is on the menu if it ever stops raining.

I give my hens all year long artificial light! They get light till 23:30 every day.this benefits them in severl way.
1. Reducing their stress in winter.
2. Make them molt in a very lightly = they dont loos more then 10%
3. They lay all year long!
And yes the Endocrin (=hormonal) system is HUGELY influenced from the photoperioa =the light length in a 24 hour so it is more then sure that the fertility of your roos is influenced from it!

Good point on the roosters' fertility.
Not sure about the light molt though. Don't they need to replace all the tattered feathers rather than just a few?
Handling light and molt is much different closer to the equator than what we do.

eggs really dont have much protein about 12%

True but they have a better balance of essential amino acids than vegetable based foods. Not to mention a perfect blend of vitamins and minerals.

Yes it is true, but egg protein have a biological value of 100! It is the BEST protein around!

And the only animal protein that makes the body more alkaline.

Maple's toes...

Is that bumblefoot or frostbite?

Walked over to check the humidity in the bator and found this!!!

Fastest I have ever had a Serama hatch! I think I looked around 3 today and no pips!

Nice vigorous line. Keep it going.

I may or may not have loaded my MPC shopping cart with over 20,000$ of stuff before sighing wistfully and closing the tab.....

And they had their fingers crossed the whole time saying "hit buy now"!

I built a cabinet incubator (thanks for the info specially sally). Test runs are great but having no luck with humidity. Any tips? tried various pan arrangements with wicks. I'very started a cooler hatcher project as well and hope to be full go by the end of January but no luck getting any humidity whatsoever. Doesn't help I heat with wood and it's winter

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I do that already. Contemplating a humidifier run off a humidistat but was hoping to keep it a tad less complicated...

I'd try the humidifier. You don't need a humidistat. It doesn't have to be that precise. Just increase the ambient humidity.

When mine is done

I wish.....

So do my neighbors.

I'm lucky to maintain 30% RH with multiple calibrated hygros...fine until I need to hatch. I may move everything to the basement but it's alot cooler

The temp swings won't be as much of a problem near hatch date.

I am not from here originally so I will not get too offended. ChickenCanoe might get offended though if he comes back.
@ChickenCanoe Where are you? You are missed.
Congratulations on the seven you got. How many toad tadpoles?

@Fire Ant Farm @dan26552 Great news on your hatches!!! :Woot

I've been under the weather and busy. Lots to do, everything covered in ice and couldn't stop coughing.
I'm regaining strength.

It was exciting a couple mornings ago. A U.S Marshall called me 'partner'.
Just after dawn, I was replacing a headlight in my wife's car when I noticed through the trees that there were several men walking around the house next door. They were just far enough away that I couldn't quite make out the word 'POLICE' on the back of their jackets. This house faces my chicken coops and is probably about 100' or so from the 2 closest ones. They got in their SUVs and drove off. The house has a huge circle drive with 2 entrances that goes around the entire property. After I finished the car, the next thing I knew that driveway was filled with SUVs and cop cars. Lots of guys in riot gear complete with shields, helmets and assault rifles.
I couldn't quite make out the name they were calling from their loudspeaker. What I could make out was, "THIS IS THE U.S. MARSHALLS SERVICE. THE HOUSE IS SURROUNDED. YOU HAVE NOWHERE TO GO. COME OUT THE FRONT DOOR WITH YOUR HANDS UP".
This was repeated over and over for close to an hour.
I walked around the back of one of the coops to get a closer view when one of the marshals said, "Back up partner".
Then they broke out one of the front windows. It just happened to be a window into the garage so it didn't help them gain entry.
Eventually they took a battering ram and knocked down the front door. Then about 6 of them slowly backed away from the door with assault weapons and flashlights trained on the door. Finally they entered the house and brought out a guy in handcuffs.
It was the owner's boyfriend. They made a big mess of the house.

HOW DO YOU GUYS HANDLE YOUR KIDS GROWING UP???? I'm not one of those "slow down time!" mamas. I just go with the flow. But I'm seriously falling apart over DD turning 8. I CANT EVEN DEAL.

I really miss my kids being young and probably always will.
I'm happy I took so many videos when they were growing up.

Just out of curiosity, I just treated my birds with Wazine, and can't eat any of their eggs for a while. On the off chance some of them are fertile, would it make any sense to incubate them? Would they even develop with the medication still being in the hens? Would the Wazine eliminate the possibility of fertility?

Just my opinion but things I feel that lots of chemicals have the ability to alter DNA.

Something like that?

What do they do about the dust and cobwebs?

 

[Pensmaster]

Are you referring to me?

Chickens get all the meat and fish leftovers here. There aren't usually enough to go around unless I grill up some meat that's been in the freezer too long.
A grilled opossum is on the menu if it ever stops raining.

Good point on the roosters' fertility.
Not sure about the light molt though. Don't they need to replace all the tattered feathers rather than just a few?
Handling light and molt is much different closer to the equator than what we do.

True but they have a better balance of essential amino acids than vegetable based foods. Not to mention a perfect blend of vitamins and minerals.



And the only animal protein that makes the body more alkaline.

Is that bumblefoot or frostbite?

Nice vigorous line. Keep it going.

And they had their fingers crossed the whole time saying "hit buy now"!

Quote:
I'd try the humidifier. You don't need a humidistat. It doesn't have to be that precise. Just increase the ambient humidity.

So do my neighbors.

The temp swings won't be as much of a problem near hatch date.

I've been under the weather and busy. Lots to do, everything covered in ice and couldn't stop coughing.
I'm regaining strength.

It was exciting a couple mornings ago. A U.S Marshall called me 'partner'.
Just after dawn, I was replacing a headlight in my wife's car when I noticed through the trees that there were several men walking around the house next door. They were just far enough away that I couldn't quite make out the word 'POLICE' on the back of their jackets. This house faces my chicken coops and is probably about 100' or so from the 2 closest ones. They got in their SUVs and drove off. The house has a huge circle drive with 2 entrances that goes around the entire property. After I finished the car, the next thing I knew that driveway was filled with SUVs and cop cars. Lots of guys in riot gear complete with shields, helmets and assault rifles.
I couldn't quite make out the name they were calling from their loudspeaker. What I could make out was, "THIS IS THE U.S. MARSHALLS SERVICE. THE HOUSE IS SURROUNDED. YOU HAVE NOWHERE TO GO. COME OUT THE FRONT DOOR WITH YOUR HANDS UP". 
This was repeated over and over for close to an hour.
I walked around the back of one of the coops to get a closer view when one of the marshals said, "Back up partner".
Then they broke out one of the front windows. It just happened to be a window into the garage so it didn't help them gain entry.
Eventually they took a battering ram and knocked down the front door. Then about 6 of them slowly backed away from the door with assault weapons and flashlights trained on the door. Finally they entered the house and brought out a guy in handcuffs.
It was the owner's boyfriend. They made a big mess of the house.


I really miss my kids being young and probably always will.
I'm happy I took so many videos when they were growing up.

Just my opinion but things I feel that lots of chemicals have the ability to alter DNA.

What do they do about the dust and cobwebs?

Wow. Nice neighbors

 

[Pensmaster]

So, I just gave some well-mashed boiled egg to the chicks. NO interest in it. 

I haven't done mashed boiled eggs but they sure go for scrambled

 

[BantyChooks]

I am, silly!

Ohh! Yeah!

Anyone feel like playing CSI?

Spoiler: Warning: Dead Ragnar!

Found him like this. Hackles are damp from dew.

Underside. I ruffled his feathers and couldn't find an injury. He was cold and stiff.

Close up of face.

Is that bumblefoot or frostbite?



And they had their fingers crossed the whole time saying "hit buy now"!


It was exciting a couple mornings ago. A U.S Marshall called me 'partner'.
Just after dawn, I was replacing a headlight in my wife's car when I noticed through the trees that there were several men walking around the house next door. They were just far enough away that I couldn't quite make out the word 'POLICE' on the back of their jackets. This house faces my chicken coops and is probably about 100' or so from the 2 closest ones. They got in their SUVs and drove off. The house has a huge circle drive with 2 entrances that goes around the entire property. After I finished the car, the next thing I knew that driveway was filled with SUVs and cop cars. Lots of guys in riot gear complete with shields, helmets and assault rifles.
I couldn't quite make out the name they were calling from their loudspeaker. What I could make out was, "THIS IS THE U.S. MARSHALLS SERVICE. THE HOUSE IS SURROUNDED. YOU HAVE NOWHERE TO GO. COME OUT THE FRONT DOOR WITH YOUR HANDS UP". 
This was repeated over and over for close to an hour.
I walked around the back of one of the coops to get a closer view when one of the marshals said, "Back up partner".
Then they broke out one of the front windows. It just happened to be a window into the garage so it didn't help them gain entry.
Eventually they took a battering ram and knocked down the front door. Then about 6 of them slowly backed away from the door with assault weapons and flashlights trained on the door. Finally they entered the house and brought out a guy in handcuffs.
It was the owner's boyfriend. They made a big mess of the house.

Frostbite.

I'll say!

Oh my. Glad it all turned out ok.

 

[BullChick]

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Wow. Nice neighbors

Actually, they are but I rarely see them. I think they've all moved to other houses.
Sometimes a car will come in the middle of the day and sometimes someone spends the night.
She has 2 sons and 2 daughters. The sons are near my son's age and they used to play basketball together often.
The mother and one of the sons came to city hall to defend me against the city when they wanted to force me to get rid of chickens.
Hers was one of the most powerful testimonies.
She was the last to speak at the first meeting saying, "I'm here to speak on behalf of Mr. +++++. If anyone has a right to complain, it would be me. I'm his closest neighbor and I didn't know he had chickens till he told me he had chickens."
Whenever they had a problem, I was always there to help like when the oldest daughter had a flat tire. She came for my help and I changed it so she could get to work on time.
A windstorm blew a tree onto their house. They were about to cut the tree wrong that would have done more damage. I showed them how to cut it without doing any more damage.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

...

That is way to anal for me. I am not a detail person. I would love to have you do that to my eggs for me. Just for the fun of it.

I find the more times I touch the egg, the more chances it has to bounce off the floor. Most eggs do not survive the first bounce...and clear fingernail polish does not always seal the cracks....specially if the yolk is leaking out.

Weighing entails way less handling than candling does.
It doesn't have to leak out. If the yolk is runny, the embryo is doomed.
Early last summer I dropped 2 eggs of a single batch moving them to the candling room. One just had a good crack, the other was at least 60% covered with cracks. This was around day 15 or so. I used liquid bandage and they both hatched.
I've tried nail polish and beeswax. Neither one resulted in a chick.

...
I've got bored pullets in Goodwin's coop - now that he's gone, I think they're starting to get unruly. Specifically, the 3 cream legbars, previously well behaved are being a pain and now bullying the others, esp. the OE Arbequina (who is an AMAZING layer, BTW). I am not attached to them, they are not laying, I don't plan on ever hatching their babies, and they are sort of ticking me off... I'm not ready to process them - yet (I think that's an over-reaction - I have lots of hens that aren't laying yet, and pecking order is pecking order). So, I have two choices - what would you do?

1) Put them back in with their parents - I have a CL coop with Dumbledore, their mother Lissa, and Jenny (who is nearly blind and has ocular Mareks). It's comfortable (if a little extravagant) for the three. That is actually the plan whenever Jenny finally dies anyway. Downside to this is that it would make that coop a little cramped compared to before for the older three, and I'm thinking it wouldn't be pleasant for Jenny at all. (I think I've talked myself out of this option).

2) Go ahead and put Monkey in there with them. Monkey was already going to be their rooster, I was just considering waiting until the coop was built. I'm thinking he can get them under control. It'll be a little hard at first, as it always is introducing a new rooster/cockerel, and a little more snug to keep them locked up for a while compared to if they were in a bigger tractor, but it's gotta be done some time. And it'll decompress the Frat house a bit. I'm leaning toward this option.

3) Suck it up and cull the mean little freeloaders. (Their brothers were SUPER mean as well - meanest little chickens I ever raised, picked fights with everyone form a very early age.) This is the first thing I thought when watching them going after Arbequina. But if I can get them laying again, I do enjoy the blue eggs, and they were well behaved with a cockerel around.

This is the only group I have with no cockerel or rooster. I think I'm gonna do option #2... I need to put fresh bedding in there (if I'm going to lock them up together for a little while). Thanks for listening.

- Ant Farm

I'm a big fan of decompressing. Low stocking density has many benefits.
I like having at least one rooster with each flock, especially when free ranging. They keep the peace and you never know when you need fertile eggs on a moment's notice.
I caution against #3. You would be culling them right before they start kicking out the hen fruit you've been feeding them all winter for.

No no no no no. I have WAY too many boys as it is.

But no CCLs.

Health check is showing signs that what I thought was dirt on the new sultans a few months back is actually red mites, and is multiplying, albeit slowly. I give up.

Quote:

There's still a chance the red mites have not made it into my coop, as they're kept in a pen in the run, and refuse to go into the coop. It's only on Zoey so far, Hazel still looks decently healthy.

Don't bet on it. Get them treated, clean out the coop and disinfect. Twice.

Taking a break from brooder building - I just cut all the lumber (no small task for three large brooders built out of panels). Been on my feet a little long, so I came in and played with the chicks some more (they are so nuts!). Speaking of nuts, I also moved the OE eggs into the 'bator with the high humidity, and since the other 'bator was looking so much more empty, well, 4 more Puppy eggs and 2 more Switch eggs "fell" in. They have china marker "x"s on them so no mistakes on which ones go to the hatcher at lock down. I'll brood them together (after brief separation for the younger ones to get their footing).

Come on, guys, somebody post something funny so I have something to read while resting!!!

(Or maybe I'll go read more about American Buff geese...)

- Ant Farm

I number every egg as it goes in the incubator.
They get recorded with weight, date laid, date set, color hue, parents and any other things particular to the egg like if washing was necessary, if they got an ascorbic acid dip, etc..

Silly US people. Get on the metric bandwagon already.

We barbecue like that here too.

Quote:

And just why does your milk come in bags?

Quote:

Strange way to do things

Milk in Mexico and the rest of Central America comes in cardboard boxes. On the shelf next to the bread and cereal.
It's ultra pasteurized and lasts longer than that in plastic cartons.
It's not usually pure white either.
There are brands that are the same as that in the states but only last on the shelf a couple days.
Boxes don't take up space in a landfill and don't require expensive refrigeration.

Depends on when he fills it; he also brings his own milk. You've no doubt been warned not to drink the water in a strange country. The same is true for milk.

I was cautious at first but it is good.
As long as water purification processes work, that's not a problem either.

The countries aren't strange, just different.

Ragnar died today, and I don't know what to do with him. There's not a mark on him, not a feather out of place. I think he must've been fighting. Eyes closed, food in his crop... I didn't want him for breeding, but he was still a great roo.

Send him here.
Louisiana

Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
Veterinary Med Diagnostic Laboratory, LSU
River Road Room 1043
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803-0001
Phone: 225-578-9777
IAV-A, CSF, ND, FMD, IAV-S*
Then you'll know.

The habs won 5-4 with 3 goals in 62 seconds. Incredible.

What are habs?
Habaneros?

We have milk vending machines here in Belgium. Bring a glass bottle and fill it up for only a buck.

Not machines but it made me think of buying wine in Spain and Italy at the small market. Bring your own bottle and they fill it out of one of the barrels behind the counter. White or red.

Never heard of such a thing! Why? Why not jugs? Can't be an environmental thing; bags & jugs are both plastic. I assume you're not using paper bags!

Lot less plastic in a bag, break down faster and don't take up as much landfill space.

I guess I've led a sheltered life! I hope the machines are refrigerated, at least. How does the customer determine freshness?

Date stamps.

It's owned by the dairy farmer, the cows are usually in the shed behind the machine building. I hear them moo-ing when I go and the milk is ice cold when it comes out. It's basically like a soda fountain but it dispenses milk.

Pretty cool.
Just like daily milk deliveries by the dairy here when I was a kid, the bakery and brewery would make deliveries to my house in Germany. The bakery was daily, the brewery was only a couple times a week. Apparently beer lasts longer than brotchen.

The vision I get in my head is not good of this. I see a cow with a milking machine standing in a freezer behind the vending machine waiting for you to drop your buck in, so she can let a glass out. Poor Cow.

It's a cow's life.

So, I just gave some well-mashed boiled egg to the chicks. NO interest in it.

It's an acquired taste. They are reluctant to eat things they haven't eaten before. Sprinkle just a bit on the food and they'll soon be fans.

Shalom to all!


Some interesting pictures! See the one at 05:21

You have too much time on your hands.

I like the ones at 3:08 and 5:15.

Some look photo-shopped.