July Hatch-a-long

[Gen9]

Yesterday I acquired 2 Ameraucanas for free. Someone was just giving them away.. & well. Now I know what chicken math really means lol

 

[Shellz]

Thanks! Yeah I've read 65% & I've also read 75-80.. if I could stabilize the humidity I would hatch at 65% but it's too risky right now the levels drop so fast. So it mostly stays in the 70's -when it gets to 80 I open a vent. When it gets down to 70 I close it. It was fluctuating like this every 5 minutes, now it takes a little longer so I'm hoping to stabilize at 70%
I'm hoping once a chick hatches I don't have to close the vent any more

Ah, I see. Bators can be very fickle! When I had my bator up & running 2 weeks ago (pre broody-thon), my humidity would drop drastically overnight. Also couldn't maintain same humidity for more than 3 1/2 hours before it steadily dropped. I think it was the home central air causing it. I tried closing vent in the room & still it didn't help. Argh! I tried the garage, but it was way too humid to even start incubating in there! I know the frustration all too well! I sure hope you get it nailed & have a great hatch! You'll probably need a good drink when its all over, lol!

 

[Gen9]

You'll probably need a good drink when its all over, lol!

Maybe just one margarita.. I can't drink too much either, it hypes me up & I can't tolerate hangovers anymore lol

 

[Shellz]

Yesterday I acquired 2 Ameraucanas for free. Someone was just giving them away.. & well. Now I know what chicken math really means lol

Just wait.....lol! I started with 6 day old production pullets 4 years ago. I'm now swimming in them! Lol! Every year, more birds. Think I tapped out at nearly 60 this year. I am selling some now to get better control of my habit, I mean hobby!

 

[bigT88]

They really are in charge......................We only think we control the coop..
Good Luck

Thats exactly what i wanted to happen. Im going on vacation the week of hatching. Poor planning on my part i know. But now the hens will take care of them, so no worries for lock down. When i get back i will have lots of chickies.

 

[Gen9]

Just wait.....lol! I started with 6 day old production pullets 4 years ago. I'm now swimming in them! Lol! Every year, more birds. Think I tapped out at nearly 60 this year. I am selling some now to get better control of my habit, I mean hobby!

Lol oh no, my husband (& neighbors) would kill me! I think with my space I can max out at 25 - & I'm getting 2 bourbon red poults today!! Lol my husband wasn't happy about these 2 chicks, just wait until he comes home tonight & sees 2 poults... he's going to want an explanation & all I can say is "gobble gobble?" Ok, no more after this until I dispatch some roos & make him a really good meal. He'll warm up to the chicken math..

 

[Gen9]

H

Going to pick up deluce eggs tomorrow. She has 5 dozen available. 1.00 an egg. So the hard part is deciding how many eggs I want to pick up.

I have a Cochin hen that has been sitting for 5 days and is very dedicated. So I am going to give her some!

To those with broodies; how lucky you are. Like a rotisserie- set it & forget it! Lol

 

[Shellz]

Just wait until turkeys are ready for dinner, Gen9. He won't mind them then! Lol! Gobble, gobble, lol!

I was thinking of raising turkeys last year, but then decided all we really need is a large breed chicken for our small family of 3. Selling off all my hatchery stock (freezer camp too) & starting my first purebred project with the Belgian Malines.

I'm keeping a few other birds just for fun too. An EE, buff orpington & 3 broody layer production hens. I need them to hatch my Malines eggs.

 

[Shellz]

H
To those with broodies; how lucky you are. Like a rotisserie- set it & forget it! Lol

Lol! You have a way with words! Definitely less stress, but I'm in less control of how things are developing. Not worth pulling back a stump to get an egg to candle, lol! Sure makes my hubby happy that I'm not obsessing over the bator, again!

 

[Gen9]

Just wait until turkeys are ready for dinner, Gen9. He won't mind them then! Lol! Gobble, gobble, lol!

I was thinking of raising turkeys last year, but then decided all we really need is a large breed chicken for our small family of 3. Selling off all my hatchery stock (freezer camp too) & starting my first purebred project with the Belgian Malines.

I'm keeping a few other birds just for fun too. An EE, buff orpington & 3 broody layer production hens. I need them to hatch my Malines eggs.

Lol! I didn't even think about that! Whoops. Should have tried a large chicken breed first. I too want to move on from hatchery stock & breed heritage chickens with strong bloodlines. I just had to put down my buff orp at age 2, with internal laying issues. & a couple more are starting to show signs. I think I will breed this flock anyway & keep their babies for fun. From now on only backyard breeders for me.