International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[moving coops]

I have seen people use little baskets with mesh sides as dividers in hatchers mine is really a converted incubated with a hatching place at the bottom, and since I usually only hatch 20-30 a week during hatching season, I just took out the bottom drawer of the hatchet and put them on the bottom in the hatching " tray". I line it with paper towel and mist the towel lightly before putting them in, so they don't roll so bad and so they get good footing, and they don't fall off the back anymore. I put my temp sensors in front and back a bit away from rear vents and humidity in front.

The bottom of this hatcher is the same too. A drawer. I use it and put a towel in it. And so eggs don't rool as much! Love it! But hatching so many eggs I need to use the other trays too! And can't do that on those! Sigh!

 

[KF0002]

The bottom of this hatcher is the same too. A drawer. I use it and put a towel in it. And so eggs don't rool as much! Love it! But hatching so many eggs I need to use the other trays too! And can't do that on those! Sigh!

What about non-skid drawer liner like people use to line cabinets and drawers in the kitchen?

 

[moving coops]

Yes that does happen unfortunately.  It's almost like they play soccer with the unhatched eggs in there.  lol  I hear what you're saying.  I keep a spray bottle by the incubator so I can mist the eggs if I have to open the incubator during lockdown.  I have done it many times and rarely get shrink wrapped chicks.  During lockdown, misting the eggs lightly boosts the humidity back up in no time  

You could try building up the sides of your hatching trays with wire to avoid the aggravation of the lids also that way you can get the incubator closed faster after you remove chicks.  You just have to tweek your system until you find what works best for you.

Yes, I do the spray bottle to but unfortunately as long as those silly tight lids are on the upper level trays I have no choice put to pull whole tray into open close door for other chicks hatching in other trays. Open tray pull out chick close tray and slide back in. And they slide so hard and jolts. A mess to the eggs and decent cool down. And reopening door. And several trays to do with even if you spread out the time! So hopefully I can build up somehow so I can just reach in and get like I do the bottom tray. Might have to remove one level of hatching tray to give enough room to do.

As tight squeeze and have maybe the front wall that folds in when reaching in otherwise it will be in way! I know this sounds confusing but want something to work!

 

[moving coops]

That could work on upper trays possible! Only worry is fuming of that rubber in heat and cleaning but also chicks are so wheezing in there already it would seem any more tiny bit of height added to that tray if leaving lid on would be very hard on them? Maybe..... Just think out loud! But of course that might help sliding but that crazy bringing it all the way out of incubator where is cools it does not solve. Hope somehow to make walls and still be able to get it into the hatcher!

I just know I have to get the ready chicks out to help the others! Just watched the bad happen to much. As the bottom hatching tray where I can just reach in quick to get chicks rarely has the problem with chicks stopping their hatches like they do I. The upper levels!

 

[Bantambird]

What about non-skid drawer liner like people use to line cabinets and drawers in the kitchen?  

I've used this too! Works well! Paper towel is just cheaper is all.

 

[Bantambird]

I've gotten into the habit of not using the upper levels at all. I would have to if I had a bigger flock.

 

[chickengr]

Oh I am so jealous! So pretty!!

My free-loading bunch here are all on strike, except for some of our Games and the LA BCM pullets that give me 1-2 eggs a day (and sometimes the Marans all skip a day together.) Occasionally a Sussex lays here and there. Sussex are supposed to be good winter layers, what a crock. Even my White Leghorn hens are on a break surprisingly. We have put fresh wheat straw into their coops so that may help. They get high quality feed, and table scraps for treats. Without supplemental lighting in my area, a drop in egg production is to be expected during the winter. Of course, my neighbor has a pen of production type Buff Orphingtons she uses as layers and they are laying religiously.

I think my chickens are broken.

give them some cayenne pepper and they will lay. I mix it with their feed.

 

[Bantambird]

My husband gets taste of the wild cat food, the salmon kibble for his cat. I've mixed in about 10% of that into my layer mash along with about 2% dried sea kelp and free choice oyster shell and grit to the side, with occasional table scraps. When it gets really cold I add corn and sorghum or scratch grains for energy and warmth.

 

[Chooks man]

Wow he is sublime except his comb .

Now that I have seen most of your BCM rooster .I come to this conclusion . all of them have a super large comb .NO good especially with a bad weather you guys have .

YOU need to start thinking of bringing the size of the comb down .

Marans should have medium size comb .

to do that .select the hens with a smaller and strait comb NOT large and floppy .

chooks man

 

[Chooks man]

My husband gets taste of the wild cat food, the salmon kibble for his cat. I've mixed in about 10% of that into my layer mash along with about 2% dried sea kelp and free choice oyster shell and grit to the side, with occasional table scraps. When it gets really cold I add corn and sorghum or scratch grains for energy and warmth.

never give you hens corn . make them fat and lazy layer .

in a winter give them sunflower seed .20g /chooks .great for them .keep them worm and make they feathers oily SO they stay dried .
cat food is a great idea .extra protein .

you are doing well .just no corn please .

chooks man