Illinois...

[mckev1]

Just wanted to stop in and introduce myself. I am from Antioch, IL.(Close to the WI. border)

Do we have any Chicken People near the Wisconsin border?

 

[cavemanrich]

Problem with aquarium heaters is they are designed to heat aquarium water to 80 degrees or so. If you used with a thermo cube, water would get heated when air temps would be 45 Degrees or colder. (thats the specks on cube you need) Below that temperature, heater would heat full bore, up to setting on heater. You may try some trial and error experimentation. Try setting temp on adjustable heater as low as possible.
TC3 cube... on at 35 and off at 45.

I use these mini crock pots in my winter housing all winter. I provide electricity to it thru a house dimmer switch. I adjust voltage to about 30+- volts with switch. Crockpot keeps water temperature luke warm. I arrived at the setting trial and error. I picked up a few of these crock pots at $4 or $5 at garage sales. Have yet to burn one out after so many seasons of use. I like the type where the interior ceramic pot is removable. Easier to clean than the permanently attached type.
If you have any questions about setting up dimmer switch and outlet, just ask.

Your other option rather than the Thero Cube, is this ST1000 and it is priced reasonably. Can be used with any heater and controls temperature of your medium(water in your case).
https://www.amazon.com/Elitech-STC-...=UTF8&qid=1510123256&sr=1-4&keywords=stc+1000

You don't need a rocket science degree to set one of these babies up, Easy Peasy.

 

[cavemanrich]

Just wanted to stop in and introduce myself. I am from Antioch, IL.(Close to the WI. border)

Do we have any Chicken People near the Wisconsin border?

Welcome... Yes there are a few peeps near you, but since the changeover in format of BYC, haven't seen them active. That does not mean that they don't check in and just read.

 

[sharkerbaby]

Just wanted to stop in and introduce myself. I am from Antioch, IL.(Close to the WI. border)

Do we have any Chicken People near the Wisconsin border?

Hi mckev1, I'm in Gurnee. I think someone from libertyville (or maybe vernon hills joined recently)

 

[Molpet]

17f this morning and light snow flurries.. I have a broody who decided 8am is the time she takes her morning constitutional she is off the eggs about 15 min but it is cold out.. most of my hens wait until the warmest part of the day not the coldest. I live in a hole so the sun hasn't hit the coop yet... She hatched at Easter and this is her first attempt.... we will see if anything hatches.

 

[Faraday40]

17f this morning and light snow flurries.. I have a broody who decided 8am is the time she takes her morning constitutional she is off the eggs about 15 min but it is cold out.. most of my hens wait until the warmest part of the day not the coldest. I live in a hole so the sun hasn't hit the coop yet... She hatched at Easter and this is her first attempt.... we will see if anything hatches.

I'm sure the eggs will be OK. I've heard of much worse happening & resulting in a decent hatch.

The broodiness bug was caught here too. Cookie's sitting on 4 eggs. If she comes to her senses & stops, it won't be a big loss. If they hatch, I'll have a great Christmas gift for a friend.

 

[Faraday40]

Today I witnessed another "Trouble" moment that sent me laughing. A spring lav orp pullet must have done something to upset Trouble (our sebright). I heard her angry squeaks coming from around the corner & then saw a giant 8lb orp flapping & running away in fear. Next I saw a tiny Sebright fly & land just in front of the orp. Trouble jumped up to look at the orp eye to eye & stared her down. Yep. Trouble's in charge & she won't let the big dumb girls forget it!

Later in the morning, a squirrel jumped down from a tree & was promptly chased by a black orp. Tyrion (our orig squirrel chaser) was quick on the scene and then the Spitzhauben joined in the chase - because she always wants to help with everything. After a few times around the tree, the dog finally noticed the commotion & charged top speed toward the squirrel. Poor little rodent had to run back up the tree under which 3 chickens & a dog waited.

 

[Molpet]

Today I witnessed another "Trouble" moment that sent me laughing. A spring lav orp pullet must have done something to upset Trouble (our sebright). I heard her angry squeaks coming from around the corner & then saw a giant 8lb orp flapping & running away in fear. Next I saw a tiny Sebright fly & land just in front of the orp. Trouble jumped up to look at the orp eye to eye & stared her down. Yep. Trouble's in charge & she won't let the big dumb girls forget it!

Later in the morning, a squirrel jumped down from a tree & was promptly chased by a black orp. Tyrion (our orig squirrel chaser) was quick on the scene and then the Spitzhauben joined in the chase - because she always wants to help with everything. After a few times around the tree, the dog finally noticed the commotion & charged top speed toward the squirrel. Poor little rodent had to run back up the tree under which 3 chickens & a dog waited.

too funny... chicken tv is the best show around

 

[Faraday40]

They're back......

Either I have all 7 females or some very slow to mature boys!

Tonight: 7.5 weeks (Blue purple & teal are my best chance for males, but not obvious like my past males who had decent comb height by 5 weeks.)

Does anyone want to agree or disagree? I'd love the input. Click below if you want to see more pics.

Spoiler: more pics

On left (pink & black)

In middle (green & blue)

On right (purple, teal, white)

BTW- All the flashes woke up my laced orp. She looks very grumpy w/o her beauty sleep.

 

[Molpet]

look like girls to me too, but I have had some that fooled me too until 9 wks