Mahonri's 2nd Annual NYDHatch, watching them grow...

[jenjscott]

Bob's Henhouse :

Well, got about 2 inches of slop and water n the coop this morning, took a shot at a coyote eating the chickens food in the yard, but must have missed. Dang! Last one I hit a 100 yards, maybe he was too close.

Well, if I ever get a shot at one maybe that won't happen to me. I just got a brand new AR-15 "coyote carbine" for Christmas in .223 with a Barska electro site (red light-up cross hairs). You can hang more bells and whistles on this thing than you can carry.

PS, by the way, I have decided that this winter hatching officially stinks. out of 60 eggs I am now down to ninetine. Is there a consolation prize for worst hatch?​

 

[The Sheriff]

Bob's Henhouse :

Mary, you should have told her to get satin, just for fun. Then sit back and laugh at the thought of them sliding off the bed at inopportune times and the satin getting snagged on callouses constantly.

Bob, don't you have some eggs to turn or something right now?

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
I think I may be in the running for that one, too. I don't think it's a winter thing, really?

What's the criteria for "worst" anyway? Lowest hatch rate, fewest number of live, surviving hatchlings, most eggs discarded as duds?

Come to think of it, are we counting - for best hatch rate - the total first set or the total that go into lockdown?

 

[BlueBirdChick]

okay a Easter Hatch so does that mean we have to get a certain kind of breed ????? I think my DH is going to kill me if I hatch anymore chicks

That will be him ranting going ARE YOU CRAZY SUNSHINE??? Yeah I can see it now

but do you think that will stop me?? Nope not one bit I just need to know if we have to hatch a certain breed that's all so I can save my pennies hahahahahaa..

Oh on another note I candled the ones that aren't on lock down and Ive got out of my delawares three that don't have veins and developing chicks so 3 out of 11 that's 8

And I candled my buff eggs looking good

I had to do a sniff test on my BA/DC eggs and they smell fine lol I got some strange looks

I only have four left of some eggs that got sent to me they are Japanese bantam and Favorellas

I don't know which is which but I candled them and I've got babies

and I have three of my Blue Cochin eggs trying to pip

and then my American Dominiques went on lock down today . Hey is it the 31st yet???

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Up the humidity to what? Can you still drown them if it is too much? Do I need to open holes in the box so the chicks have some fresh air to breathe? If so, how do I adjust the heat so it doesn't go down too much if I shouldn't open the box? I'm using a styrofoam cooler.

I usually up mine to 55%. Once they start hatching the humidity will jump big time. And yes, they will need more oxygen for hatching, I pull the 2 vent plugs at lockdown. Then you have to fiddle with the temp a bit. If I need to add water during lockdown, I use a bendy straw and a medicine syringe through the vent hole. Make sure you add warm wAter, not cold.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Oh, and anything Over 80% you risk drowning them.

 

[Bob's Henhouse]

Jenjscott, If I didn't have neighbors 1/4 mile away in that general direction, and 4 houses next to mine to the east, I would have a better selection of firearms. They might not understand though if I start popping off rounds from anything bigger than a .22. Darn the bad luck!

The Warden, NOPE! have auto turners. hehehehe

Mahonri, sounds like a plan, assuming a good hatch. A couple of roos and several hens would be great.

 

[wolftracks]

EASTER HATCH!!!!

What Easter Hatch?????????????????????

I'm in!!!!!

When's Easter this year?

When do we set? Time? Date?

What will I hatch?

Maybe my girls will be laying!!!!!!!!!!!!

I came in to say I had temp drops in both bators!!!!

They're in 2 different rooms and both dropped.

96 and 98.................I sure hope I'll have something hatching.

I did candle night before last??? Don't know the days are running together. I can even tell through Marans eggs I have lots of clears, but I put the, back in. I'm NOT giving up!

I'm building my Egg Train this year and show the PO we CAN get eggs delived that hatch. Even my boxes from Bargan and Warden wer smashed. If you see how they pack eggs you know that means there's way too much rough stuf going on. I'm so sick of the way they handle things here. Besides, when they can be transported without other packages all the better.

I swear if I spend more than $500 this year on eggs and don't get at least 50% hatches from shipped eggs I quit. This year I was able to do close to 3x that much but won't be able to again. Might have to start shipping in chick instead.

 

[Happy Chooks]

They'll be fine wolftracks. We lost power for 3 hours and the bator got down to 98. A broody hen will take a break from sitting on the eggs, so I wouldn't worry.

 

[wolftracks]

I've just had so many bad hatches this time I need some hand holding. LOL