Incubators Anonymous

[thasista]

I almost had my bator empty, but was saved. I have three boxes of eggs on the way.

 

[Nsampsel]

I almost had my bator empty, but was saved. I have three boxes of eggs on the way.

I have 4 bators stuffed full of stacked eggs, another bator & 5-6 do2en more eggs on the way...lol

 

[thasista]

I have 4 bators stuffed full of stacked eggs, another bator & 5-6 do2en more eggs on the way...lol

Ok I thought I was bad. What are you going to do with all those hatchlings?

 

[Nsampsel]

Ok I thought I was bad. What are you going to do with all those hatchlings?

Actually, they are selling faster than I can hatch them. I have a waiting list.

 

[thasista]

Actually, they are selling faster than I can hatch them. I have a waiting list.

Way to go. Awesome for you!

 

[Nsampsel]

Way to go. Awesome for you!

The problem is, I can't hang on to the ones I want because everyone else wants them too. Guess I just have to keep hatching til I can keep some that I want

 

[ki4got]

no, you keep 1 or 2 at a time. they are, after all, YOUR birds. 8) and you need to keep young stock to grow and replace or add to older stock, so you can have enough eggs for everyone down the road.

I come first when it comes to hatching. i'll grow out a few (most) of each bunch and see how they're developing, sell off the extras that don't meet my needs and hang onto the select few. 8)

also meant to add, the eggs i have for potential broodies are hatching now. 8) they've got 3 eggs from the incubator to 'test drive' and we'll see how they do with the babies. if they're good, tonight they get the rest of the chicks/eggs.

i keep clicking submit too fast. the other question i had, how old is too old for a chick to bond with a hen? i've got some close to a week old... is that too much to ask?

 

[Nsampsel]

no, you keep 1 or 2 at a time. they are, after all, YOUR birds. 8) and you need to keep young stock to grow and replace or add to older stock, so you can have enough eggs for everyone down the road.

I come first when it comes to hatching. i'll grow out a few (most) of each bunch and see how they're developing, sell off the extras that don't meet my needs and hang onto the select few. 8)

also meant to add, the eggs i have for potential broodies are hatching now. 8) they've got 3 eggs from the incubator to 'test drive' and we'll see how they do with the babies. if they're good, tonight they get the rest of the chicks/eggs.

i keep clicking submit too fast. the other question i had, how old is too old for a chick to bond with a hen? i've got some close to a week old... is that too much to ask?

I have given a chick back to momma at a week old, but it was the same si2e as the rest of the babies she was hatching at that time since they were LF & ducks & the 1st baby was bantam & actually belonged to momma. It's easier to slip chicks in when they are all close in si2e even if ages are different.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: In with the chickens!!! Just feed higher protein. Mine are on 20-22% protein.

I almost had my bator empty, but was saved. I have three boxes of eggs on the way.

Good timing on the three boxes purchased.

no, you keep 1 or 2 at a time. they are, after all, YOUR birds. 8) and you need to keep young stock to grow and replace or add to older stock, so you can have enough eggs for everyone down the road.

I come first when it comes to hatching. i'll grow out a few (most) of each bunch and see how they're developing, sell off the extras that don't meet my needs and hang onto the select few. 8)

also meant to add, the eggs i have for potential broodies are hatching now. 8) they've got 3 eggs from the incubator to 'test drive' and we'll see how they do with the babies. if they're good, tonight they get the rest of the chicks/eggs.

i keep clicking submit too fast. the other question i had, how old is too old for a chick to bond with a hen? i've got some close to a week old... is that too much to ask?

X2 Save for your own breeding stock first.

Karen, I've not tried to give a broody chicks, Just read a lot of stories. Seem like it all depends on the particular hen. Some take 1 week olds others won't touch a 1 day old. The older the chick the less success in the adoption process. The risk is that the hen will abandon the chick or kill it. That's all I know Karen. Like shipped eggs, it's a risk. LOL

 

[thasista]

I'm selling my guineas but am hanging on to my chickens until I figure out which ones I want. Keeping all my turkeys too. I had an awesome hatch of porters eggs so I got some more on sale

Maybe I will be able to part with some turkeys but I doubt it. My new chicken coop will hold a ton and I guess I'm trying to fill it

I am using my 3 breeder pens as grow out pens for now.

I've also hatched some of my mixed breeds and they are gorgeous. Mostly orps of various colors. They will be my eating egg birds

And none of mine are broody?