Hatching Eggs / Paypal CHAT Thread

[crazypetlady]

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CPL is hatching turk eggs from me. By the way how are they doing

They should be hatching soon. I put new batteries in my light and checked them last night and they were like "hey turn out that light, mom" . I have some that were put in a few days before, black heritage turkeys for a friend, those were internally pipped last night. So I expect lots o turkeys this week.

 

[crazypetlady]

Enquiring minds want to know! I'm nervous -- this'll be my first time hatching turkey eggs. I've got the incubator warming, WVstruttin!

And Mansfield's about 68 miles north of Columbus. Not like I've measured it, or anything
(Sorry, that was an injoke -- one of my best friends lives in C'bus, so yeah, I've made that drive SOOOO many times . In fact, it's her fault I'm in Ohio. And if I weren't in Ohio, I might never have gotten chickens. So in fact my chicken obsession...is ALL HER FAULT! YEAH! I can't wait to call and tell her!!!)

Now if I could only figure our where Columbus was. I'm new to this neck of the woods. . I once went to a party ay Jayne Mansfield's daughters house does that count?

 

[tdhenson86]

I know this question could probably be put somewhere else, but with all you poultry fanciers out there on this thread, I'm sure I'll get some good replies. I am hoping to get a new, SOP roo to put over some of my hens. That means, my current roo is going to be Thanksgiving dinner. The problem is, in all my years of raising chickens, we've always had my cousin do the butchering. Here's the question, what is the fastest way to butcher a chicken and least apt to get me all bloody? Thanks!

 

[mzstre]

I know this question could probably be put somewhere else, but with all you poultry fanciers out there on this thread, I'm sure I'll get some good replies. I am hoping to get a new, SOP roo to put over some of my hens. That means, my current roo is going to be Thanksgiving dinner. The problem is, in all my years of raising chickens, we've always had my cousin do the butchering. Here's the question, what is the fastest way to butcher a chicken and least apt to get me all bloody? Thanks!

My husband and I processed our first birds a few weeks ago. I talked to lots of people and read a ton because I was really nervous about the whole thing. We brought them over to my uncles just down the street because he processes often and is already set up for it. He has a cable strung tight between a couple of trees (not very high) and has slip knots in regular intervals (like I said, processes a lot). We only did 1 at a time. Hung them upside down using the slip knot around the feet...they are very calm when upside down. Very clean incision through the artery in the neck and they bleed out very quickly (also leaves a very clean, clot-free carcass from what I've read). We had no mess at all (you could put a large bucket or basin under them to catch the blood). The boys never even flapped wings until the moment of death. It was much less traumatic and messy than I expected. The only thing I would do differently is use a velcro strap to bind their wings loosely to prevent any spatter (just in case).

I grew up in a hunting family and was pretty familiar with general cleaning and butchering, but if you want more info, I found an awesome guide online that is very specific with detailed photos. Let me know and I will find it and pm the link to you. It helped me tremendously!

The only thing I didn't research beforehand was actually COOKING a rooster. Now THAT was another story all together lol!

I found out the hard way that slowwww is the way to go.

 

[mzstre]

Step 2: buy a second incubator.

You're there, too!

Step 3: Start stalking the paypal swap for MORE breeds!

Step 4: Build a few more pens.

Step 5: Sell both incubators to upgrade to a cabinet incubator!
(Don't LAUGH-you know you need one!)

Step 6: Wait-is the 12-step program to DISCOURAGE hatching? Forget it-I quit!

I'm so happy to have found so many like-minded people (enablers) on this thread!

 

[Lesalynn]

Ok, just got a bit of good news to share. Looks like I may have eggs to offer in the very near future!!! I will be picking up some bb reds along with a few sizzles and frizzles this afternoon. Yay!!!! Now, if I could just find some quality silkies nearby.......lol. But I think I will have to wait on the ones I have to grow up.....

 

[chiqita]

Enquiring minds want to know! I'm nervous -- this'll be my first time hatching turkey eggs. I've got the incubator warming, WVstruttin!

And Mansfield's about 68 miles north of Columbus. Not like I've measured it, or anything

(Sorry, that was an injoke -- one of my best friends lives in C'bus, so yeah, I've made that drive SOOOO many times

. In fact, it's her fault I'm in Ohio. And if I weren't in Ohio, I might never have gotten chickens. So in fact my chicken obsession...is ALL HER FAULT! YEAH! I can't wait to call and tell her!!!)

I've found turkey eggs to be a HUGE trial. keep the humidity up up up. the egg shell needs to soften or they cant get out( they recomend 80% for lockdown but i cant get it that high) . I tried to save my last turkeys who were internally pipped ( heard squeeking ) but I didnt do it .

Luckily what I DID hatch out earlier was a pair, Stuffing is going to have to sit on her own eggs next year, hope shes a broody. Or will an buff orphington hatch turkeys? hrm...

 

[wayne813]

i have SBEL's pips from kraftyladies..

 

[coldupnorth]

I've found turkey eggs to be a HUGE trial. keep the humidity up up up. the egg shell needs to soften or they cant get out( they recomend 80% for lockdown but i cant get it that high) . I tried to save my last turkeys who were internally pipped ( heard squeeking ) but I didnt do it .

Luckily what I DID hatch out earlier was a pair, Stuffing is going to have to sit on her own eggs next year, hope shes a broody. Or will an buff orphington hatch turkeys? hrm...

I found turkey eggs hard to hatch also and the poults can be really tough to keep alive the first few weeks (they starve themselves - even with chicks to show them how to eat).

 

[kraftyladies]

i have SBEL's pips from kraftyladies..

yay!!