Growing POT, I guess (Power Outtage Turkeys)

[Shaun]

I've decided to re-name my new baby turkeys. While in the incubator, we had a power outtage for about 2 hours before we realized (was in the middle of the night), which made me crazy and sure they wouldn't hatch. Then, very early this morning the power went out AGAIN, so there was another mad scramble to hook up the generator.

We've not had a power outtage in ages - and now TWO in two weeks? Thank God for our trusty generator! After all the trouble hatching these guys was, I would be stuffing them in my T-shirt to keep them warm if I had to

When calling our local radio station, who usually has the latest update from the power company, I mentioned my Power Outtage Turkeys - and they said - well, P-O-T, we'll tell everyone you're growing POT out there.

 

[Denninmi]

Cute, but in light of the big medical marijuana raids they had this week here in the Detroit area, maybe not such a good idea.

I'm so glad it worked better for you this time. Are you glad you spent the $$$ for the Brinsea? Did you find it easy to use overall?

I have posted some about my hatching problems despite the new Brinsea, but I broke down, against my better judgement, after the early August hatch and ordered one more batch of Coturnix quail eggs via ebay, only because it was an auction for 60 eggs that was just about to end, and the opening bid was $3.49, so for less than $15 total (and $8 out of pocket because I had a previous account credit on paypal from a past refund) I bought them.

I put them in, didn't candle to speak of, didn't open the unit hardly at all, put them in my basement where temp and humidity stays pretty constant, set the humidity at 43% for incubation, upped to 60% for lockdown. 52 eggs went into lockdown (some broke in shipping), and I have 30 that hatched successfully and 2 that died in shell.

WAY BETTER than most of my first attempts, except ironically for my first turkeys, 9 eggs incubated, 7 hatched. I think I have a better handle on what to do, which is to set the thing on autopilot and not interfere with it any more than absolutely necessary.

I'm really envious of the various colors you've gotten. Pretty neat. My Royal Palm/Calico Sweetgrass turkeys are very pretty, but all the same -- they were yellow as babies, then white, and now white with tan and black.

I might just have to get some mixed colors like you have next year.

 

[Shaun]

Denninmi - didn't know you were from good old Michigan!

My only regret with the Brinsea was that I didn't buy it three summers ago.

I think the humidity pump made a huge difference. When it was humid out, it rarely ran, but when the weather would turn dry, I'd go thru 1 1/2 cups of water a day -- and that at 45% humidity. I really think part of the reason I could never hatch turkeys well in my Hova Bator was the humidity issues.

I've thought about quail - would love the eggs I know, but butchering them? Would hardly seem worth the trouble to me!

The two chix will be going to a friend's house this afternoon, that will just leave the 7 poults in the Hova Bator. They're a little crowded in there, but I have to be gone for a few hours tomorrow and would rather have them in there than in the big container if we have another power loss.