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

Has anyone tried hatching/incubating with a more natural medium. Like shavings or straw? It seems so rough how they just roll around in there. I'm sure you'd have to adjust the humidity but there would be air flow.

Also, I am locking down my quail eggs right now and I candled them but I don't see anything. Never have. Its just kinda of a glowy green with brown spots on it. Should you see anything? I'm going to be mad if NONE of all my quail don't hatch. But they look the same as the did when I candled in the beginning. I have them spread out through 3 incubators and all looks the same.


Some people use the "rubber" shelf liner that is "woven" so that air flow is not interrupted, the eggs don't roll as easily and it's soft on the chicks feet.
 
Just a quick update , then I'm off to bed.


Moved all the eggs into hatcher. Separated EE ans FBCM by cardboard box. At 8 pm. No pips. The cracked/broken egg is dark . . . . .
fl.gif



Good luck to all!!
 
Some people use the "rubber" shelf liner that is "woven" so that air flow is not interrupted, the eggs don't roll as easily and it's soft on the chicks feet.

I use cookie cooling racks turned upside down. the wires keep the eggs from rolling around. works awesome and in no way prevents airflow around the egg, also it will not harm the chicks.
 
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Here is my story, I know it is too long for the contest, but I wanted to share it with you anyway. Enjoy!



As Luck Would Have It
My name is Fuzz Butt. I don't really like it and hope that some day The Keeper will choose another one for me. It's just that any time someone calls you a "butt" it is offensive, you know? Still, she says it in her soft soothing voice and with a soft eye so I think she means it affectionately. I will tell you my story if you like. I don't know why you would want to hear it though, it is boring and nothing special, just like me.

I don't remember much between the time I hatched and when I arrived here, just that I was grabbed, poked, pricked, and up sided. I was examined in the most personal spot you can imagine! Then there were the hours spent crowded in the box with the other chicks and being jostled and banged around with no food or water and only each other to keep us warm. It was awful! Once here at the farm, things got some better, but not much.

The other chicks that came here with me are all beautiful! They are perfect in every way. When we first arrived, we all had our chick down. Theirs was soft and fluffy, and looked as if it had been trimmed neatly. Some had interesting patterns and some were solid colored with matching beaks and legs. Our down is being replaced by brand new feathers and their new feathers have the warmest, richest colors. I like each and every one of the members of The Brooder Flock, I hope that one day they will come to like me. Right now, they don't. As a matter of fact, they are really mean to me. They pick on me and call me names. They grab my toes and peck my head, but it's not too painful. It's the ones that ignore me completely that really hurt me the most. All I want is to be part of the flock. I feel so alone, I try to be liked, I am nice to everyone, but no one likes me, they all hate me. All, except for The Keeper.

The Keeper calls all of us The Brooder Flock. I heard her telling one of the other chicks that we would one day join the Layer Flock. She comes everyday to bring us food and clean water. She keeps the brooder clean and makes sure we are all comfortable. She even brings us treats and will make sure that each of us gets a bit, even me. The Keeper holds each chick in her hands and talks to us in her soothing voice. Some of the chicks struggle and try to get away, but not me. It is the best part of my day! She will hold me and tell me about her day. Some days she talks about shopping with her friend and what they had for lunch. Sometimes she describes the book she is reading. My favorite is when she describes the other chickens and what they are up to on the farm. Yesterday, she explained that the rooster is getting old and that she will soon have to find another to help him take care of the hens.

She calls most of the chicks "Peepers" or "Chicky Peek" but I am the only one she calls Fuzz Butt. I think she likes me, even though my feathers are not coming in as pretty as the other chick's, and my down is long and stringy, still. Today she talked softly to me about how she special ordered us to be her layers, and she planted soft kisses on my head and smiled when I pecked her lip. When she puts me back down with the other chicks, I try really hard to sing her a song but all that comes out is "peep peep peep." I run to the end of the brooder in hopes that she will pick me up again. It is much nicer to be in her arms than with the ones who don't like me.

It makes me happy to see The Keeper smile and laugh. I see her do that when one of the hens outside sings. I know The Keeper really likes to hear the hens sing because she always stops to listen. She smiles and calls to the hen and tells her what a pretty song it is and what a nice singing voice she has. She seems to enjoy the songs of those hens who can not sing very well most of all! She laughs more and brags on those hens just as much as the talented singers. One day, I hope to be able to make her happy by singing the egg song for The Keeper.

For now, I will just keep trying to win over the other members of the Brooder Flock. They are all so beautiful and I am indeed lucky to know them. I know that they are not all nice to me but they are my flock and will be forever. I am so proud of them that I want to sing at the top of my lungs.... I think I will! Here goes,,,,,,,, my special song......ackkkk......hey! My voice! I'm not just peeping! Bokkkk..........Errrrk........Cock-a-doodle Dooooo!!!!!! Ut, OH....
 
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Here is my story, I know it is too long for the contest, but I wanted to share it with you anyway. Enjoy!



As Luck Would Have It
My name if Fuzz Butt. I don't really like it and hope that some day The Keeper will choose another one for me. It's just that any time someone calls you a "butt" it is offensive, you know? Still, she says it in her soft soothing voice and with a soft eye so I think she means it affectionately. I will tell you my story if you like. I don't know why you would want to hear it though, it is boring and nothing special, just like me.

I don't remember much between the time I hatched and when I arrived here, just that I was grabbed, poked, pricked, and up sided. I was examined in the most personal spot you can imagine! Then there were the hours spent crowded in the box with the other chicks and being jostled and banged around with no food or water and only each other to keep us warm. It was awful! Once here at the farm, things got some better, but not much.

The other chicks that came here with me are all beautiful! They are perfect in every way. When we first arrived, we all had our chick down. Theirs was soft and fluffy, and looked as if it had been trimmed neatly. Some had interesting patterns and some were solid colored with matching beaks and legs. Our down is being replaced by brand new feathers and their new feathers have the warmest, richest colors. I like each and every one of the members of The Brooder Flock, I hope that one day they will come to like me. Right now, they don't. As a matter of fact, they are really mean to me. They pick on me and call me names. They grab my toes and peck my head, but it's not too painful. It's the ones that ignore me completely that really hurt me the most. All I want is to be part of the flock. I feel so alone, I try to be liked, I am nice to everyone, but no one likes me, they all hate me. All, except for The Keeper.

The Keeper calls all of us The Brooder Flock. I heard her telling one of the other chicks that we would one day join the Layer Flock. She comes everyday to bring us food and clean water. She keeps the brooder clean and makes sure we are all comfortable. She even brings us treats and will make sure that each of us gets a bit, even me. The Keeper holds each chick in her hands and talks to us in her soothing voice. Some of the chicks struggle and try to get away, but not me. It is the best part of my day! She will hold me and tell me about her day. Some days she talks about shopping with her friend and what they had for lunch. Sometimes she describes the book she is reading. My favorite is when she describes the other chickens and what they are up to on the farm. Yesterday, she explained that the rooster is getting old and that she will soon have to find another to help him take care of the hens.

She calls most of the chicks "Peepers" or "Chicky Peek" but I am the only one she calls Fuzz Butt. I think she likes me, even though my feathers are not coming in as pretty as the other chick's, and my down is long and stringy, still. Today she talked softly to me about how she special ordered us to be her layers, and she planted soft kisses on my head and smiled when I pecked her lip. When she puts me back down with the other chicks, I try really hard to sing her a song but all that comes out is "peep peep peep." I run to the end of the brooder in hopes that she will pick me up again. It is much nicer to be in her arms than with the ones who don't like me.

It makes me happy to see The Keeper smile and laugh. I see her do that when one of the hens outside sings. I know The Keeper really likes to hear the hens sing because she always stops to listen. She smiles and calls to the hen and tells her what a pretty song it is and what a nice singing voice she has. She seems to enjoy the songs of those hens who can not sing very well most of all! She laughs more and brags on those hens just as much as the talented singers. One day, I hope to be able to make her happy by singing the egg song for The Keeper.

For now, I will just keep trying to win over the other members of the Brooder Flock. They are all so beautiful and I am indeed lucky to know them. I know that they are not all nice to me but they are my flock and will be forever. I am so proud of them that I want to sing at the top of my lungs.... I think I will! Here goes,,,,,,,, my special song......ackkkk......hey! My voice! I'm not just peeping! Bokkkk..........Errrrk........Cock-a-doodle Dooooo!!!!!! Ut, OH....


Wisher - What a beautifully written story. You made the ordinary quite extraoridinary!
 
well everything is so far so good placed my remaining eggs in lock down in my hatcher. Checked the nine eggs under my broody 2 were piping. She was not happy at all with me for it, she chortled and nipped at me a couple of times. I will check again tomorrow afternoon to see how many hatched. I'll try to get pics and post as well.
 
16 out of 30 LONG-distance shipped Silkie eggs made it to lockdown!! Air cells looking super good on 15 of them; maybe a bit small on 1 of them. (12 were clear, 2 quitters). Now we wait ....
fl.gif
 
Mahonri was concerned I had died.

Nope! The rumors of my unfortunate demise are thusfar untrue. Just busy.

I do HOWEVER have an incubator full of early birds. 2 of Tazcat's EEs popped out, with a ton of pippers, and when I pulled the 2 peepers and put the lid back on the brinsea, a duck popped out. Right then! Like popcorn!! Then a turkey pipped.

I bet I am going to have a bator full babies tomorrow!!!
 

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