- May 13, 2010
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I have been lurking around here for awhile but since my first hatch was successful last night I thought I would join and introduce myself. I have had chickens for the last couple of years. It started as one that the neighbor left behind when they moved. I went and rescued her (Rhode Island Red) and she came with a free barn kitten that followed her back to the house. Apparently the chicken (Which my 4 year old daughter at the time named Strawberry) and the kitten were friends. Both the barn cat and that chicken are gone. But since we have experimented with Guineas, but they fly too good and don't stick around so I donated them to the neighborhood after their second escape. I went back to Rhode Island Reds which stick around the yard. I lost a few to preditors, and car strikes in the road. (I have actually seen hawks swoop down on them but they were unsucessful). After picking up 6 Bantams at Tractor Supply, I thought why not try to hatch some of my own eggs. One Hovabator with turner and 3 weeks later, presto 5 new chicks. I put 4 fresh eggs laid that day in the incubator and grabbed one out of the fridge as an experiment. I wasn't very good at maintaing the temp at exactly 100F usually it was colder around 95F, but I guess it's not rocket science because all 5 hatched last night. I use a laundry wash tub (plastic utility tub) and a heat lamp to raise the chicks. It works really well, and is just the right height for humans.
I look forward to talking with y'all.
Dan
