Mahonri's 3rd Annual, BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!

[Wisher1000]

Remember when I was trying to take a pic at midnight of a newly hatched chick and Laree noted that you could see my reflection in my skiveez in the bator when I took the pic... and you call that entertaining?

In case anyone is wondering, it takes a day and a half of doing almost NOTHING ELSE to start at post 1 and read through page 318.

I am going to the school tomorrow and check out the eggs in my bator there. I will have to decide what to do with the eggs then but hopefully I can bring the bator home to clean and calibrate for the big day. It is a Hovabator (stryo) that was given to me and I have never done a complete hatch with it.

Can anyone explain how a wafer thermostat works? I really like to understand things so if there is a problem, I can better figure out how to correct it. I also want to hear people's methods for sanitizing the inside of a stryo and the heating element, wires, etc.

 

[chicken fever]

I've had both and I swear by my barred rocks. Especially my roo, he is my 3yr olds best buddy! She pushed him in the stroller for walks lol

ok I am getting some chicks at TSC tomorrow and they have Black Australorp and Barred Rock chicks. so here is my Q, of the two breeds here which one is the better one for laying eggs and meat??? oh, and which one is more friendly?? I do not keep mean roosters

 

[Razadia]

Ok, I got tired of trying to catch up on the posts. No more going a day without checking in.

It's almost been decided that we're getting Guinea keets from the feed store sometime soon. My mom (who hates birds) said that she wouldn't mind having them around to control the tick population (or better yet, wipe it out). My expression when she said this?

So I get to raise Guineas next. It doesn't bother me, though. It just means more time with the incubator running!

Oh and, my sil's best friend gave me a Strut the rooster Beanie Baby yesterday. I'll post a pick of it tomorrow.

 

[Chickie15]

Count me in!! Im a little late but I should still have eggs in time

Ashley

 

[java girl 2]

Ok, I got tired of trying to catch up on the posts. No more going a day without checking in.

It's almost been decided that we're getting Guinea keets from the feed store sometime soon. My mom (who hates birds) said that she wouldn't mind having them around to control the tick population (or better yet, wipe it out). My expression when she said this?

So I get to raise Guineas next. It doesn't bother me, though. It just means more time with the incubator running!

Oh and, my sil's best friend gave me a Strut the rooster Beanie Baby yesterday. I'll post a pick of it tomorrow.

did you find a pup yet?? and how are your eggs in the bator doing??

 

[java girl 2]

Count me in!! Im a little late but I should still have eggs in time

Ashley

welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ronott1]

ok I am getting some chicks at TSC tomorrow and they have Black Australorp and Barred Rock chicks. so here is my Q, of the two breeds here which one is the better one for laying eggs and meat??? oh, and which one is more friendly?? I do not keep mean roosters

I have Black Australorps and Barred Plymouth Rocks now. Black Australorps are much friendlier. The BR's are stand offish and don't let me pick them up. BR's are a big chicken, even from a hatchery. You need to make sure you have large enough nest boxes. Mine are clumsy and will break eggs.

I would get the Black Australorps if I were you. You will love them.

. They let me pick them up and they are great foragers too. Of course you could get some of each and see which you like better. I am sure you could find a home for any you don't want to keep

Ron

 

[Arielle]

ok I am getting some chicks at TSC tomorrow and they have Black Australorp and Barred Rock chicks. so here is my Q, of the two breeds here which one is the better one for laying eggs and meat??? oh, and which one is more friendly?? I do not keep mean roosters

I have BA hens from MM a hatchery. Small girls, one went broody last year and hatched a zillion eggs. Quiet easy going, not really noticeable. Not firendly, not unfriendly. Definitely more egg layers.

Have a friend with breeder quality BR, he likes the fast growth and heavier muscling.

In case anyone is wondering, it takes a day and a half of doing almost NOTHING ELSE to start at post 1 and read through page 318.

I am going to the school tomorrow and check out the eggs in my bator there. I will have to decide what to do with the eggs then but hopefully I can bring the bator home to clean and calibrate for the big day. It is a Hovabator (stryo) that was given to me and I have never done a complete hatch with it.

Can anyone explain how a wafer thermostat works? I really like to understand things so if there is a problem, I can better figure out how to correct it. I also want to hear people's methods for sanitizing the inside of a stryo and the heating element, wires, etc.

. As for the cleaning, I put mine in the bathtub and soak the bottom including the screen. I scrub the screen as there are little bits that dry on. Rinse with fresh water and let dry. As for the top with the electrical, it is not to get wet so I have not found a satisfactory way to clean it. Perhaps putting chlorinated water in the bottom half and setting the top on and the vapors dis infect it. Really don't know if the electrical parts are negatively effected. LIke I said I don't clean it for that reason.Perhaps lay it out in the sun.

 

[ronott1]

I did try to sand a couple just to see the difference. I did see some development (big shadow) in one of the lines on one, but aside from that nothing. The eggs weren't shipped so unless my driving was really bad on the way home from that auction, they should be good. If they have a blood ring, but don't smell is it ok to leave them in there? No weeping as of yet lol.

Part of the problem is I need to build a real candler. Right now I use a 15 LED flashlight on one end and a 9 LED flashlight on the other and turn it between the two. Not the best, but the best I can do until I feel creative.

I am using a led flashlight that Incubator warehouse sells as a candler. If you hold the egg with the pointy side down and put the flashlight on top of the large end, you will be able to see into the air cell. That's where you look at the veins. You also want to check the air cell to make sure the egg is evaporating correctly. The air sack should be 1/3 of the egg at day 18.

Ron

 

[java girl 2]

I have Black Australorps and Barred Plymouth Rocks now. Black Australorps are much friendlier. The BR's are stand offish and don't let me pick them up. BR's are a big chicken, even from a hatchery. You need to make sure you have large enough nest boxes. Mine are clumsy and will break eggs.

I would get the Black Australorps if I were you. You will love them.

. They let me pick them up and they are great foragers too. Of course you could get some of each and see which you like better. I am sure you could find a home for any you don't want to keep

Ron

OK, LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE TO GET BOTH!!!!!!! LOL

MORE CHICKS FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!