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

[Akrnaf2]

 
I think Benny makes a good point. What prevents unwanted bacteria from entering the edges of the hole, 'specially given the chickens' habit of walking in all manner of bacteria-laden,potentially harmful stuff? What prevents the hole from closing just like pierced ears will without earrings in them? If the feet are muddy, how can you even see a small hole in the foot?

I agree, with the hole leaves open edges and a chance for bacteria.  I have tried other methods of marking chicks. None are perfect. 

However, there are a lot of things I have to do I do not like. I am required to check my flock of for  MS and MG every 90 days. this requires poking the birds and taking blood.  I am required to test for AI every 3 months which means trachea swaps.  They require I do several birds on one swab, which to me is spreading a disease and bacteria.  The USDA Vet and State Vet say it does not matter and the chances are low.

This is my first time with toe punching. I am not sure how I will like it.  I need to keep strains separate and in some cases know the parents and lineage of the chicks.

I put the chicks on 1/4 in hardware cloth, something many do not like. I am not the biggest fan of it, but it does keep the area drier than paper lining and bedding. 

I am constantly trying to refine my hobby and find better ways to do things. I worry about the bacteria,  I suppose I could try a little peroxide in each hole but that runs its own risk.  I have also read they may need to be repunched in a couple weeks, Something I do not look forward too.

If I lose a bunch from this batch because of infection, I will try another method, what I am not sure, but I will look for other answers.

I had thought small "parrot" leg bands would have worked.  I tried them last year. Do you know how many of them are Houdini wannabes and can escape leg bands?

I sold 3  Buckeyes I had by mistake because they escaped the legbands. (my only 3).  They went as SS's which means someone was disappointed in their SS and I was in losing my Buckeyes......Chicks change so much in the first few weeks and can be mistaken so easily.

I assume my wife or kids or the neighbor that works for me some sold the buckeyes. I surely could not make a mistake myself. My last mistake was in 1993.  

Did you try those?

 

[meltel]

And it's face.

That's why we only see pics of your hands

 

[meltel]

It's deformed! Look at its feet!

That was a webbers slap

 

[Chaos18]

That's why we only see pics of your hands

My best feature.

 

[meltel]

My best feature.

Mine too

 

[daxigait]

@mlm Mike I hope you are well.

@Sally SunshineAny news?
On the goat front I gave my four week out CDT and multi min shots last week, and did their feet for the last time for the nannies due to kid (4-6 weeks before kidding if you don't know). Praying.

 

[Chaos18]

Mine too

My hands are your best feature?

 

[meltel]

My hands are your best feature?

go back in your closet!!!

 

[duluthralphie]

yep.

 

[Chaos18]

go back in your closet!!!

It's not my fault you didn't clarify.