Illinois traders!!!!

[JustHenny]

Well as it turns out I won't be trying right now after all. Just found out from darling fiance that I have no budget for eggs. Turns out car tires are a higher priority (to him). Lol. So i'm going to just get the Indian Runner duck eggs for the hatch a long and maybe do some barnyard mix for fun. Good info to have though Faraday. I will end up using it at some point!

Also, a lady at work told me she always incubates upright, not laying down. Would this up any hatch rate? I have a little styro model with no trays, just the mesh, so I incubated with them on their sides and got about 50% hatch rate. It was my first hatch so a couple things could have gone wrong...

 

[Faraday40]

Well as it turns out I won't be trying right now after all. Just found out from darling fiance that I have no budget for eggs. Turns out car tires are a higher priority (to him). Lol. So i'm going to just get the Indian Runner duck eggs for the hatch a long and maybe do some barnyard mix for fun. Good info to have though Faraday. I will end up using it at some point!

Also, a lady at work told me she always incubates upright, not laying down. Would this up any hatch rate? I have a little styro model with no trays, just the mesh, so I incubated with them on their sides and got about 50% hatch rate. It was my first hatch so a couple things could have gone wrong...

With shipped eggs, 50% is good/average. The air cells get damaged from all the bumps along the way, so upright incubation helps a bit. (Cut an egg carton to make a disposable hatching tray to keep eggs air cell up.) With local eggs, position really doesn't matter. Maybe about 75% is average for the Styrofoam incubators (local eggs). You could even get 100% with some luck and good quality fresh eggs.

DD & I talked my hubby into doing a fertility check & incubator test. (Honestly, I think it's just chick withdrawal after the long, cold winter.) So our 1st candling was tonight. Out of 18 eggs, 3 were clear. The rest have moving embryos dancing about. What's strange is that all 3 clears came from the same hen, while the rest are at 100%. The roo is a gentlemen, never forces the hens, & ignores the non-laying pullets. Perhaps she's not been in the mood since acting broody. Maybe she'd have better results in a month.

The good & bad news about this test hatch is that we don't plan to keep any. That's why I kept records of the eggs. Most will be black or lavender orpingtons, with a few mixes for fun. I will post pics here before going to Craigslist.

 

[JustHenny]

Oh yes, I read that on another thread we are both in. I would love to have a couple lav orps. Hmmm how far are you from me I wonder? lol.

I am really hoping to up the percentage this hatch. I'll just start gathering my fresh eggs in the barn in a couple days and see if I can do better this time around. I am going to set a dozen Indian Runner eggs just in case. If hatch is good I will have a couple to share! If not I'll at least get the couple I wanted.

 

[gmtarsw]

Gosh, I'd really like to just get eggs and hatch em... but I'm not willing to pay for shipped eggs. Never had much luck.
I need to find some local eggs here in Southern Illinois! Speaking of eggs, anyone every hear of someone finding and incubating wild turkey eggs? A farmhand told me he regularly comes across them while mowing pasture and around fencing in the spring and that he's given them to a friend with an incubator before. He wants to know if I want some this spring...

LinaNate
to raise "wild" turkey you need a license for in Illinois. its not expensive $10-20. if you have any questions about getting the license private messges me. Ill be happy to help you with the info

 

[Faraday40]

Oh yes, I read that on another thread we are both in. I would love to have a couple lav orps. Hmmm how far are you from me I wonder? lol.

I am really hoping to up the percentage this hatch. I'll just start gathering my fresh eggs in the barn in a couple days and see if I can do better this time around. I am going to set a dozen Indian Runner eggs just in case. If hatch is good I will have a couple to share! If not I'll at least get the couple I wanted.

I think we live pretty far away from ea other......but if you were planning on a romantic trip to Chicago, you & your fiance' could return home with some adorable peeping souvenirs.

 

[kathleens1979]

I'm kind of new to BYC- I'm really excited that there is an IL thread! I am looking for a couple of things- silkies (any color, but bearded is preferred) and Khaki Campbell ducks or other small layer breed. I live in Peoria County but am willing to drive some. I also have an incubator, so either fertile eggs or actual birds works for me. PM me with prices and location. Thanks!

 

[JustHenny]

My mom is near chicago faraday! I will be there around April 9th. Well, well...this could really work! Now, how to pretend to him that this is a complete coincidence?

 

[JustHenny]

Oh Kathleen, hello. I am incubating indian runners if you are interested. I might end up with too many. Just put them in so we shall see, but let me know.

 

[Faraday40]

My mom is near chicago faraday! I will be there around April 9th. Well, well...this could really work! Now, how to pretend to him that this is a complete coincidence?

Yes. We have family members in Indiana (3 hr drive) that happen to live 15 min from someone who raises one of my fav breeds! Funny how we're planning a trip down there!

 

[JustHenny]

The things we'll do to get our chooks! How do hatchlings travel? Heat packs? It would be about a 3 1/2 hour drive for us.