July Hatch-a-Long (including 4th of July hatch-a-long)

[SnapdragonQ]

I weighed my eggs too this time (second time around) because I want to be able to understand weight changes better throughout the incubation. Hasn't been long enough to weigh again though, just heading towards day 3.

 

[igorsMistress]

So you have no chickens either or you still have some. I’m allergic to the dander but when it’s outside I’m fine. Inside gives me breathing issues.

Yes, still have the chickens. I decided I had to make a choice and the chickens are easier for me. I don't brood for more than 2 or 3 days inside, just long enough to make sure the chicks are eating and drinking. Otherwise it's too much.

 

[igorsMistress]

Yes. I created a spreadsheet to track their weight because I wanted to know if my humidity was on track. I'm using a DYI incubator that I built last month and did my first test hatch. Since I'm so new at this, it seemed like weighing them was the best way to know where to keep my humidity level.

That makes sense. Do they gain or loose weight during the process?

 

[Perris]

I weighed my eggs too this time

me too! with the dark eggs it seems like a reasonable method to identify infertile or early quitters, as regular candling is hopeless.

 

[AgnesGray]

He is about 7 months now

I would think he'd be out of the worst of it by now. Might just be him.

I do and don’t have ducks and geese! I don’t personally own any. Never wanted to deal with the baby mess and we don’t have any ponds or anything! My neighbor however has a momma duck with 9 ducklings and 7 baby geese that make a beeline for my yard as soon as he lets them out in the morning! Don’t know what the appeal is in my yard. I don’t let my chickens free range at the moment do to predators but these little buttheads are here every day and boy do they make a yucky mess! They poop way more than any of my chickens ever did and it’s huge. It’s like walking in a minefield anytime I want to go outside. And they have found their way into my garage which is great! Had to use a shovel last night to get rid of all there poo! gonna have to get something to keep them out until we can get a garage door.

That's crazy! I'd definitely be talking to neighbor about it and if they're not concerned further steps taken.

Oh goodness, I had 60 birds at one time and it took forever to go through feed. I gave mine scratch and they had plenty of bugs in the garden to forage. I think one 50# bag of food lasted at least 2 months and there were always finches and sparrows getting into it as well. I fed gamebird starter.

Wow! What kind of house did they have that allowed them to forage in the garden? This would be really ideal in our situation, I think.

 

[kelseyk]

I'm glad I got an incubator that only holds 22 eggs. Only.
Originally I tried to order a model that held like 45. It got lost in shipping. Good thing too or my house would be busting at the seams with chicks by now. For us, for now, 22 was the right size and it limits the addiction.

Not necessarily! Lol! Before long you will be buying a 2nd incubator....then a 3rd. Lol! That is what happened to me.

 

[igorsMistress]

I would think he'd be out of the worst of it by now. Might just be him.


That's crazy! I'd definitely be talking to neighbor about it and if they're not concerned further steps taken.


Wow! What kind of house did they have that allowed them to forage in the garden? This would be really ideal in our situation, I think.

I have a shade garden, desert dweller here, and I put them in there so they had the run of the whole thing. I think it's 12'x16' so lots of room to run around. The thing I didn't care for was the daily egg hunt.

 

[FortCluck]

I would think he'd be out of the worst of it by now. Might just be him.


That's crazy! I'd definitely be talking to neighbor about it and if they're not concerned further steps taken.


Wow! What kind of house did they have that allowed them to forage in the garden? This would be really ideal in our situation, I think.

That’s why I’m thinking about offing him. He’s nice to me but he chases the girls like a crazed psycho

 

[Motojeff]

My day 14 update:
Looks like we will have 9 that look good of the 14 mix eggs from eBay. 3 eggs are clear assuming they may not have been fertile, 2 now with blood rings one of them was sort of damaged looking when we received it the other developed the ring later.

The joe freed’s incubator/brooder has been pretty stable with temps and humidity 99.5f / 50% no real spikes or drops, not bad for a basement find. I might try to do some upgrades to it before I do another hatch in it, the egg turner isn’t that great and it needs a digital thermostat. I also added a fan and some other upgrades to the little giant incubator I found too, now it just needs some eggs... I’ve been eyeing some cream leg bar eggs still.

Pretty happy so far for my first time ever hatching especially for shipped eggs. I will get some pictures when we get some hatching action. Lockdown is Monday! Fingers crossed looking like we should have a few hatching around July 2nd.

 

[AgnesGray]

That’s why I’m thinking about offing him. He’s nice to me but he chases the girls like a crazed psycho

I know the type. I'd replace him. Too many good ones out there to inflict that kind of thing on the hens, IMO. Can be a tough call when they're sweet to us though.