How is everybody hatching this year?

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

I just stopped turning a batch of Bourbon Red and Midget White eggs yesterday and out of 32 Bourbons and 26 Midgets. There were only 2 "clears" and I think one that died towards the end. All the Midgets developed. I kept meaning to candle them but never got around to it. They should be out Thursday or Friday.

Steve

 

[A.T. Hagan]

My White Midgets, White Leghorns and Easter Eggers started hatching last night.

Out of thirty five turkey eggs set we put thirty four in the hatching trays. Haven't opened that one up yet, but I think it was clear. Also set twenty four chicken eggs, twenty of which made it into the hatching trays. Of those one was clear, three blood rings.

This is my first time hatching so have probably made some mistakes. When I left this morning I had seven turkeys and one chicken hatched. I expect I'll have more when I get back. Everyone that is dry I'll move into the brooder as I expect the hatching trays will be getting kind of crowded.

Had to open the incubator up more than I thought I would for several poults managing to fall out of the hatching trays and getting stuck. I've since made an impromptu barrier to keep that from happening anymore. Humidity has stayed good in spite of that so I'm hopeful.

.....Alan.

 

[taraann81]

STEVE! Happy to see your that your back! Sharon has been extremely helpful but its always nice to have both of you!

I had one belts hen die..like she just fell right off her perch at night and never got up again...it really scared me I was worried for the rest of my flock but that was a few months ago and I've seen no other signs of illness...even that hen her self showed no signs of being ill..weird.

I have one broody belts who has decided to set muscovy eggs..we'll see how that goes.

My bourbon red hen has been disappearing every morning to lay her eggs. I have been searching high and low for her nest to no avail. Hope to find it before she decides to set... then I'd be worried.

And one perfect belts hen who lays me an egg every day!

I just hatched 13 belts.

Thats my turkey hatching in a nutshell so far!!

 

[longranger]

Have set about 60 turkey eggs over the past 6 weeks. About 2/3 are developing. Have done staggered hatches to get eggs going while fresh, usually on fridays. Have taken 7 eggs though lockdown. 5 healthy poults, 1 late quitter prior to pip and one that got out of the egg but never could walk. One side seemed paralyzed.

So far the Midget whites and mixed heritage are doing great. The Auburns have good fertility but the eggs often quit at about 2 weeks. Not sure why. Have 18 eggs in lockdown as of yesterday, about half Auburn so hopefully that situation has resolved.

 

[Ariel301]

So far this year I have hatched 3 Royal Palms out of about 30 eggs set. I've got another 2 dozen due on May 6th that are looking promising so far. I think the first few batches were just not very good eggs since they came from first-time layers. The later eggs are hatching fine so far. I guess as long as they keep laying I'll keep setting eggs.

They belong to a friend of mine who doesn't have time or space this year to hatch her turkeys, so I am hatching them for her in exchange for keeping some poults.

 

[marytoast]

6 royal palm eggs in the bator. 4 piped and peeping. 1 rocking..

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
Hi Tara, long time no type.

We have hed Belts hatch goslings before, they did great and there very upset when we gave them to the geese to raise.


Sharon says hi, she just doesn't get alot of time to post. And when are you going to send some of those "bullie" eggs? ..... you know those 4 legged bullie's

Steve

 

[taraann81]

Quote:
Hi Tara, long time no type.

We have hed Belts hatch goslings before, they did great and there very upset when we gave them to the geese to raise.


Sharon says hi, she just doesn't get alot of time to post. And when are you going to send some of those "bullie" eggs? ..... you know those 4 legged bullie's

Steve

Well the bullies are pretty smart and I've always had a knack for dog training..BUT try as I might I have yet to teach Mabel or Ruby to lay an egg...but when I do, I promise I will ship you the first dozen

 

[Engteacher]

Quote:
That's terrific! What sort of incubator do you have? That's a great fertility rate, too.

I'm still hoping to get some of your hatching eggs, Steve. How are they laying? Is there still a chance for some Midget Whites this spring? Our incubator is in lockdown with Welsummers which hopefully should hatch on Thursday. It's our maiden voyage on our homemade 'bator. A bit dicey on our thermostat, but it's good for a first timer's 4-H project.

 

[ColbyNTX]

Will let yall know this weekend. I'm going on lockdown in the morning. I bought 35 eggs, 7 are Rio Grande, 2 are Easterns the rest are RP's and BR's. Of the 35, 32 are headding to lockdown. This is my first turkey hatch so I hope it goes well.