Incubating Question?

[DRGLENNON]

I have eggs from two different breeders and want to know witch chicks came from what source. Any ideas on how to keep hatch lings on their side of the incubator. I just have one incubator. I thought that dividing with rabbit wire would work. Any suggestions?

 

[Ridgerunner]

It depends on your incubator and how you go into lockdown, but a fence with hardware cloth probably what you mean by rabbit wire) or something similar will work. They can be pretty active so to needs to be fairly secure so they don’t flatten it.

Another method is to make a basket out of hardware cloth and put that over the eggs, either individually or in groups. Some people use plastic mesh baskets.

 

[birdman55]

I would agree with that the wire would be the best bet....and also toe punching the birds is also a great way to keep them as they get bigger along with leg bands...but the leg bands will need to be changed as they grow and could come off so both ways is the best safest way to keep track...and ofcourse a log on each bird for future reference

 

[DRGLENNON]

It depends on your incubator and how you go into lockdown, but a fence with hardware cloth probably what you mean by rabbit wire) or something similar will work. They can be pretty active so to needs to be fairly secure so they don’t flatten it.

Another method is to make a basket out of hardware cloth and put that over the eggs, either individually or in groups. Some people use plastic mesh baskets.

I would agree with that the wire would be the best bet....and also toe punching the birds is also a great way to keep them as they get bigger along with leg bands...but the leg bands will need to be changed as they grow and could come off so both ways is the best safest way to keep track...and ofcourse a log on each bird for future reference

Thank You both. the hardware cloth basket idea sounds great.I didn't know what it was called and had heard it called rabbit wire so I was hoping someone would know what I was talking about. lol I was planning to band the legs.

 

[Ridgerunner]

A temporary way to mark them is to use food coloring on the down. That’s how some hatcheries mark their chicks if you ask for that service. It will wear off as they shed the down and feather out so you have to stay on top of it, but as fast as they grow it might be better than leg bands when they are really young.

 

[birdman55]

zip ties also work

 

[DRGLENNON]

zip ties also work

Is it difficult to remove zip ties without hurting them? They do come in different colors now. I also noticed someone had used small colored rubber bands. They might eat those off one another.

A temporary way to mark them is to use food coloring on the down. That’s how some hatcheries mark their chicks if you ask for that service. It will wear off as they shed the down and feather out so you have to stay on top of it, but as fast as they grow it might be better than leg bands when they are really young.

I understand what you're saying about growth and leg bands. I rescued a pup one time the previous owner had left a leather necklace with a charm under the collar that the skin had grown over. I was horrified when I took the collar off. I don.t think she would have made more than a few days longer like that.

 

[dheltzel]

Is it difficult to remove zip ties without hurting them? They do come in different colors now. I also noticed someone had used small colored rubber bands. They might eat those off one another.

I use zip ties and found that a nail clipper, used sideways, is good for removing the zip ties, and also for trimming after applying the zip tie.

 

[DRGLENNON]

I use zip ties and found that a nail clipper, used sideways, is good for removing the zip ties, and also for trimming after applying the zip tie.

Thanks!

 

[birdman55]

correct as mentioned above...by dheltzel