Getting the flock out of here - a diary of a crazy chicken man

[ozexpat]

Things are looking great!

thank you

step by step we are getting to where we want to be.

 

[piglett]

the falling coconuts got them lol


as soon as the fence is finished, we shall free many birds.

I actually have 50% of my Visaya hens in a coop makinging RIR crosses.

a RIR isn't all that bad of a size for a bird

i'm now spoiled with the buffs but anything you can do to give the local fowl some size is a step in the rite direction.

 

[piglett]

you just did.

i settle 8-16 hours based on time of arrival.

the ticking clock of dead eggs and malpositioned chicks does not stop for air cells

ok they have sat for 9 hours time to set these suckers

i had good luck with not turning my game bird eggs last month for the 1st 3 days

so unless someone wishes to strongly object i'll do the same with these eggs

 

[Phage]

I let local eggs sit for 6-12 hours, and shipped eggs sit overnight so 12-24 hours but never more.
That along with the Brinsea and minimal candling (max twice, Usually just once) generally produces fabulous results.
Also tend to run the bator a bit dry, and hatch at 50-60% humidity. The lower humidity has virtually eliminated last minute failure to hatch.

 

[ozexpat]

candling results of chickens

buff orps 6/6
bbs orps 12/15
silkie 0/3
salmon favs 6/6
hfr mutts 22/29
bp brahma 4/8

others 75% average viability
.

this is the highest we have ever seen. if we can translate this into 50% hatched birds, we will be over the moon.

I am crying over the San Diego eggs not making it.

 

[ozexpat]

I let local eggs sit for 6-12 hours, and shipped eggs sit overnight so 12-24 hours but never more.
That along with the Brinsea and minimal candling (max twice, Usually just once) generally produces fabulous results.
Also tend to run the bator a bit dry, and hatch at 50-60% humidity. The lower humidity has virtually eliminated last minute failure to hatch.

Following Phage's advice, I hatch at ambient humidity- normally equals 60% in bator. Only the moisture from the eggs hatching drives it up.

This too has really helped me.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Wow there was a bit to catch up on in this thread!

Piglet, I am an impatient guy when it comes to fertile eggs in my possession that are not at temperature lol. I let them sit until the next morning. I can't put an hour on it, they get checked over, air cells marked, weighed and left until the morning.

Nice work on the gardens Oz. I have been following a blog page that has some interesting stuff on it called 'One Acre Eden' It is not often updated, but I liked reading it all the same. In the two most recent entries, they talk about making their own garden beds, using a technique called 'Hugelkultur'. Rotting logs and chicken poo, you may be able to work something in with that using rice hulls.

http://greenfirefarms.com/oneacreeden/oae-journal/

Have a good one, nice work on those fertility/hatch ratios too!

 

[ozexpat]

Wow there was a bit to catch up on in this thread!

Piglet, I am an impatient guy when it comes to fertile eggs in my possession that are not at temperature lol. I let them sit until the next morning. I can't put an hour on it, they get checked over, air cells marked, weighed and left until the morning.

Nice work on the gardens Oz. I have been following a blog page that has some interesting stuff on it called 'One Acre Eden' It is not often updated, but I liked reading it all the same. In the two most recent entries, they talk about making their own garden beds, using a technique called 'Hugelkultur'. Rotting logs and chicken poo, you may be able to work something in with that using rice hulls.

http://greenfirefarms.com/oneacreeden/oae-journal/

Have a good one, nice work on those fertility/hatch ratios too!

the one acre garden is very inspiring. I have read it many times

thanks for the well wishes, its an exciting time at cocobeach

 

[rolito tabujara]

I am interested in your pen ideas with lots of breeds, I should go back and reread, I also need to visit Mr. Urch in Minnesota.

Search @ You Tube How to set up P. I. G. S. Baboyang walang amoy or odorless pigpen.

 

[ocap]

Search @ You Tube How to set up P. I. G. S. Baboyang walang amoy or odorless pigpen.

thanks Brother Rolito