INCUBATING w/FRIENDS! w/Sally Sunshine Shipped Eggs No problem!

[RoxysAnimals]

We went out shopping for a bit after my last post. A few hours after posting complaining there hasn't been a peep/pip, and now there's a pip. Just one. But it works! Note to self, always complain about lack of pips... Always seems to work.

I will do that!

 

[lazy gardener]

What exactly is" ff with mash" ?

Mash is what the grains and nutrient amendments are first milled to. Then, those are mixed with a bit of water, and extruded to make pellets. Then those pellets are crunched up to make crumbles. My mash is really quite fine, enough so that the chickens most likely wouldn't want to eat it dry. I think that traditionally, it was intended to be mixed with water. It's a bit cheaper than pellets, which are also a bit cheaper than crumbles.

What do all of you do when you get too many chickens? Do you give them away, slaughter them, sell them?

The roos go to my freezer. I've sold some pullets, hope to sell some hens in the spring. I've offered some of my girls for sale this fall, though no takers. (could go to craig's list, but birds there don't seem to have a very good market value.) I'd rather hang on to them, and feed them than essentially give them away. May take some to the TSC swap days this spring, but... again, that's a calculated risk, b/c once it leaves my yard, I don't want it coming back.

Ok so ff is fermented feed of any sort and mash is coarse cut grains..wet? Dry?

VM, see my response to your original post. If that doesn't answer all your questions, feel free to ask some more! Fermented feed is really very easy to make, and IMO, it gives the flock a huge nutritional boost, while eliminating all waste, and a bag of feed lasts longer.

 

[RoxysAnimals]

Well... allrightythen!!! You're one step of ahead of me... 

Best of luck to you, and may you not be too fretful over artificial incubation. It's not as easy as letting a hen brood the eggs and wait until you see chickies, but don't let it stress you, either. Keep an eye on temp and humidity, and if everything is normal, you're okay. Being able to see them is makes the waiting seem like forever!  

I know. It's so hard watching them grow inside the eggs, because you're just waiting for them to pop out of their shell and dry off so you can hold them.

 

[RoxysAnimals]

Mash is what the grains and nutrient amendments are first milled to.  Then, those are mixed with a bit of water, and extruded to make pellets.  Then those pellets are crunched up to make crumbles.  My mash is really quite fine, enough so that the chickens most likely wouldn't want to eat it dry.  I think that traditionally, it was intended to be mixed with water.  It's a bit cheaper than pellets, which are also a bit cheaper than crumbles.
The roos go to my freezer.  I've sold some pullets, hope to sell some hens in the spring.  I've offered some of my girls for sale this fall, though no takers.  (could go to craig's list, but birds there don't seem to have a very good market value.)  I'd rather hang on to them, and feed them than essentially give them away.  May take some to the TSC swap days this spring, but... again, that's a calculated risk, b/c once it leaves my yard, I don't want it coming back.

VM, see my response to your original post.  If that doesn't answer all your questions, feel free to ask some more!  Fermented feed is really very easy to make, and IMO, it gives the flock a huge nutritional boost, while eliminating all waste, and a bag of feed lasts longer.  

Thanks for that. I totally forgot that our TSC has swaps... You reminded me! Never even came across my mind.

 

[firedragon1982]

Also, Fuzzybutt, the singleton from one of the previous hatches, is a boy. At almost 4 weeks old his pea comb is more pronounced than any of the Ameraucana 12 week olds I have currently

I'm sure it will start pinking up in the near future.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

QUESTION:

What's a safe way to get rid of bees congregating around my tube feeder w/o using wasp & hornet spray that likely wouldn't do the chickens any good? Don't really want to kill the bees if it can be helped; I believe they're honey bees. No idea what's attracted them; never seen them around the feeder til now.

who has honey bees in the winter?

spray area with full-strength white distilled vinegar, sprinkle garlic powder around it or boil garlic and make a spray of it. scent will over power the scent thats attracting them


EDIT to add @kwhites634

 

[slordaz]

another idea would look up the local bee keeper , they will usually come get them at no charge if they are honey bees

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Hello everyone! I came to this thread because I just set 14 eggs in my new IncuView yesterday. I am going to have an assortment of chicks, and I hope you all wil help me along the way! This is my first time using an incubator, and I have only ever used broody hens.

Roxy! Glad you made it over! I knew my Joey would be able to fix ya up!

welcome to the thread! sorry been off trying to get some stuff done around the house. didnt get much done though.

just seem to sit with the pups all the time.

@Sally Sunshine CUTE puppies! I wouldn't be able to let go when the time comes. I'd want to keep everyone of them

I hope everyone is doing well. I have 10 duck eggs (WH, Pekin/Swedish/KC) on day 23 in the incubator. 6 eggs still have clear small ends. All are active and have good veining. One that is full actually looks like it has already dipped down and could hatch any day. What does it mean to still have some clear egg on day 23?

There you are! ya know I hate taggin people and askin about them! but I was wondering about you!! @Ren2014

I cant wait to see duckies!! did you take any candle pics for us? I love seeing duck candle images!! clear at the top? do you have cool spots in the bator? are you rotating them eggs around in the bator during your incubation at all?

cuz you didn't suggest it, of course...

bubbles go ahead and make another article and do a copy paste of individuals and do their bator stats if you wanna keep up with that... I will keep doing the top part with the links and stuff
hook me up with a link to the other part then

What do all of you do when you get too many chickens? Do you give them away, slaughter them, sell them?

we process and sell Roxy....

I can't wait until day 7! "Then I will candle", is what I tell myself

I dont plan on waiting that long I have too many serama eggs in and i gotta throw some out

tired of rollin all these all ready!

Dry until mixed with water and vinegar "with Mother". Sally made a video on how to mix it, but I'm having a little trouble locating it. Maybe shoot her a PM?

Fermented Feed!
always in my siggy

We went out shopping for a bit after my last post. A few hours after posting complaining there hasn't been a peep/pip, and now there's a pip. Just one. But it works! Note to self, always complain about lack of pips... Always seems to work.

awesome dragon!!

told ya to hang on!! next hatch try uppin your temps for it ok?

Also, Fuzzybutt, the singleton from one of the previous hatches, is a boy. At almost 4 weeks old his pea comb is more pronounced than any of the Ameraucana 12 week olds I have currently

I'm sure it will start pinking up in the near future.

oh no!!! well we all need some of your eggs at a future date right?

 

[Sally Sunshine]

another idea would look up the local bee keeper , they will usually come get them at no charge if they are honey bees

afternoon daz

 

[kwhites634]

who has honey bees in the winter?

spray area with full-strength white distilled vinegar, sprinkle garlic powder around it or boil garlic and make a spray of it. scent will over power the scent thats attracting them


EDIT to add @kwhites634

I do! Or did, anyway. Bee guy said not to worry 'bout them; good cold snap will get rid of them. The birds ain't bothered with them; sticking their head right in amongst them to feed.
Soon as they empty the feeder, any day now, I'll take it apart & treat it. Never been bothered with them til now.