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

[kwhites634]

Quote: Ya know, if you're going to do a total replacement, you might want to look into one of the Amish-built sheds...I call 'em yard barns. Delivered & set up; just add a couple windows & runs & you're good to go.

 

[meltel]

In MI??

Jealous... But wait, I have to wait till the coop is done to get more chicks.... So, I guess it's good my feed store doesn't even have the signs up yet.

I know right???

Maybe because a mild winter?? But I honestly don't have room right now. I have many serama grow outs and pet quality birds. I need more chicken space

I was going to lockdown last night but I fell asleep early. So time to chug some of @MotorcycleChick s wonderful coffee and check the bator, up the humidity and lock it down

 

[BantyChooks]

Ya know, if you're going to do a total replacement, you might want to look into one of the Amish-built sheds...I call 'em yard barns. Delivered & set up; just add a couple windows & runs & you're good to go.

Like this?
http://www.amishsheds.ca/shed-details/standard-shed-pricing/
That'd cost me nearly $8,000 for something smaller and not built the way I want.

Edit: that'd be 6,100ish USD.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

@daxigait - The gnomes are back, and now they are hiding all of my bungee cords, so I can't make those new MHP tonight (I will tear the place apart tomorrow for the bungees, or buy more - which would, of course, lead to them being found immediately). So I took apart the smaller MHP I had set up for the newly hatched 5 chicks in my last hatch - I needed to take it apart anyway to tidy up. I took photos, and will now post them in reverse order (so it looks like I'm putting it together). I will talk through this with more detail than you perhaps may need, in case someone else wants to try it. (I have had great success with it, and have quiet, calm chicks that get to sleep in the dark at night under their cozy "mama").

First, you need to have the right heating pad of course - one WITHOUT automatic shut off. It can be difficult to figure out the features when shopping for a heating pad, and on the MHP thread, folks actually have resorted to going by specific product numbers just to be sure. If you are not sure, build it ahead of time and monitor it to ensure it heats well and stays on (and that it will come back on if the power goes out). Here are the two I like and recommend - the cheapest. One is king size, the other is standard size - I double this up to make a BIG MHP that lasts until they don't need so much heat.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-732-...rd_wg=ziJW9&psc=1&refRID=FQ92M6MAV3Z9N3V8GW8B

https://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-731-..._rd_wg=gdNO2&refRID=WN94K7FDSNQYT8J6GTXP&th=1

Now, to build the frame. You can use whatever you have, but I have found welded wire works best. Hardware cloth is not strong/stiff enough and could collapse not he chicks. Cut welded wire fencing (or other quite stiff but bendable material) to the approximate size of the heating pad you will be using - it doesn't have to be exact, just as close as you can. Then you will need to cover up the sharp bits left from where you cut - on this one pictured, I used multiple layers of duct tape. I have since found that poly tubing slit down the side (I had some lying around) works better. DON'T use regular garden hose - there's "stuff" in the regular hoses that will outgas - I learned this when I started heating it up and could smell it. (Suspect this could hurt the chicks.)



Next, bungee the heating pad to the underside of the frame, with writing side down. Use as many bungees as you need (and the size you need) to keep it from sagging.

Then, cover the whole thing in a pillowcase or other similar enclosed cover that you improvise. This is important, as chicks like to wiggle around under there, and if you do not cover it, they can get trapped in the frame. (Folks have lost chicks due to this.) Early on I used extra old grungy pillowcases I had around. When I needed to actually get another pillowcase (after ripping the old ones), I went for a zippered pillow cover - it has been MUCH easier to keep closed and clean.



Now you need to snug the pillowcase up so that it doesn't sag into the cave. I do this by pulling the extra material to one edge, folding it over, and then using clamps to hold in place.

Finally, cover it. I use cloth diapers (the thick Gerber ones) because they are soft and are meant to be pooped on and washed and bleached (you could also use old towels, which would also work great). When the chicks get older they will perch on top (like they do on Momma's back), and poop on it. Switch them out as needed. For the larger ones I make (which are tall enough for the older chicks to use), once the chicks start getting super messy, I use some of those washable puppy poop pads I had lying around - that works well.

When setting up in the brooder, put it at one end, but make sure there's a little space at the back as well so that they can find their way out if they get too warm. When first hatched, I put the water quite close to the entrance to the MHP - they pop out, drink, and pop back under. I also put crumbles on the paper towels right by the entrance, and will trail them to the feeder so they eventually find their way there. They will spend a LOT of time under there at first, then will start wandering, popping back under if they need a warm up.

I hope that helps!!!

- Ant Farm

Nice write up.
I think the Premier heat plates are very hard to beat and so energy efficient.
I have a small and an extra small.

I agree that having a dark period each day is important.
I only keep a light on the first 48-72 hours so they can eat/drink whenever they get the urge.

I'm still experimenting with lockdown day and humidity to see if I can reduce the number of quitters. Most of mine have hatched on day 19 or 20 but some have been as early as day 16. So I am going to go with late on day 17 and hope for the best

Are you sure the quitter issue is with humidity?
There can be so many other things causing quitters. Numbers 6-9 in the following link will give you many more possibilities to consider.

http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00008570/00001/3j

IMHO, people obsess too much about humidity. Whenever I catch myself doing so, I try to imagine a broody hen regulating humidity during a rainstorm or during a particularly harsh dry spell.

Not everything that goes on Diesel it's a truck!

Our tent stoves in the army ran on diesel.
As do several European autos.

You really don't want to enter to that corner with me, you could criticize my English only AFTER you will write 10 sentences in Hebrew! (I will be satisfied even with 1!)

So true.

There is a HUGE ONE!

I missed it.

 

[BantyChooks]

Hi CC

 

[duluthralphie]

I've decided to name one of Puppy's 3 week old sons "Khan":

- Ant Farm

I know I am suppose to say only nice things here....


BUT that is one of the ugliest birds I have ever seen.

I do however see the resemblance between it and Kahn, and I mean before he became Mr. Roarke.


I would be afraid to show that bird to my grandkids. They would have nightmares for weeks.

 

[duluthralphie]

I was getting there!

 

[duluthralphie]

I KNEW it!! <>

Good morning anyway, Abi.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

OK, I just changed my mind when I realized they were probably hunting rats.

Sorry, kitties-from-hell-who-won't-stay-out-of-my-yard!



I really need sleep....

Trap them.

Woke up a little bit ago when my husband came in from work to find this:

There's three!! And the others are all externally pipped! Weeeeeee!

Woo Hoo!!!!!

I gots a guinea!!!!

Hi CC

Hello!

I know I am suppose to say only nice things here....
...

I don't think that's necessary.

 

[duluthralphie]

I gots a guinea!!!!

Do you need me to post the Guinea recipe again?