finally eggs

[leonphelps]

I found five eggs today. I took them into a recently purchased incubator. I also got the auto turner. I put some water in there and averaged the two thermometers.

Cant believe the size differences in the eggs. They are right in the middle for needing the pheasant egg insert and the regular insert.

Now we wait and watch. The incubator has a glass in it.

Thank god for tractor supply. they had the incubator in stock and were reasonable ($100 for the whole setup).

 

[PeepsCA]

Only 5 eggs? I would have waited to see if they laid any more. So now if you find more eggs you can't set them unless you buy a 2nd incubator for a hatcher

Or you can always eat the eggs

that you find for the next 2 1/2 weeks or so then start collecting and storing another batch for the incubator. You can store fresh eggs up to 10-12 days in a cool place out of direct sunlight (be sure to tilt/turn them at least once a day) and they usually do fine in the incubator.

Edit...
If you haven't already switched your flock over to a layer feed now would be a good time to do that, and provide oyster shell free choice.

 

[leonphelps]

I put three white rocks on where the nest was. One of them was already sitting on the rocks, so looks like I will not have to hunt far.



Why would I need a new incubator? Cant I use the same incubator and just write down when I put them in and keep track that way? I only have 13 guineas, so it cant be that hard considering I have at least 4 males.

 

[racuda]

You don't need a second incubator. You can use the same incubator and do a staggered hatch. I would add a second batch 7 days after the first. While not ideal, it will work. I've done it with no problems.

 

[leonphelps]

glad I dont need to spend another hundred on five stinking eggs.

 

[PeepsCA]

You might want to do your research on the different humidity requirements between incubating eggs and hatching eggs. If there's not enough humidity the keets can't turn inside the egg, zip the shell open and hatch, plus the inner membrane can shrink wrap over them and suffocate them. That's why there's the lock-down period recommended in the instructions with all incubators, the extra humidity is needed. And if there's too much humidity when you raise it for the hatching eggs then you can end up drowning the embryos that are still developing. You'll also need to stop turning the eggs that are going to hatch and keep turning the newer eggs you've added, keets can get squished if you leave the turner in and on while they are hatching...

Anyway, good luck, hope you have successful hatches.

 

[leonphelps]

thanks for the info.

a red tailed hawk got my silkies this morning. I missed it by three minutes. caught it on my surveillance cameras. that sucks.

I do have another egg today, so far.

 

[leonphelps]

Actually the second silkie was hiding.

I have my guineas now penned up since the hawk came back.

I have two additional eggs to the one I discovered today.

Cant believe the hawk didnt eat the bird, it just killed it.

 

[PeepsCA]

Sorry to hear you lost a silkie, that's sad. Might have been a young hawk, not an experienced hunter which would explain why it left it's kill. Predator season continues, ugh.
Maybe your lone silkie will be content sitting on a few Guinea eggs now...?

 

[leonphelps]

Ill be ready with the shotgun next time

I was ready to go hunting cats, lucky for the cameras.

The bird did come back in about ten minutes. I wonder if that is normal? I kept the birds locked up until about 3. I have the window open and have been checking on them.