Maine

[suzMEchicks]

So funny! I'll try to take a picture of one of my 2 leghorns tomorrow. I thought they looked really grungy especially on the front. Yesterday and today this particular chicken has risen to a new level of gross. I was trying to get them out if the coop 2 days ago so I could clean. She walked under the roost and got pooped on. Dumb. Then today I was trying to keep her from getting the egg they were all about to eat and it ended up splatting across her head when she turned quickly to run away with it. Uggghhh. I set up a dust bath for them. They don't seem to know what to do with it. I'm sure they'll figure it out. In tbe meantime I too am embarrassed and plan to wash as soon as we get good weather. Which can't come soon enough. It's soo cold again.

 

[MEMama3]

I am looking for hatching eggs (duck as well as lf & bantam chickens). Anyone live near fryeburg who has some? Test hatch, so I don't want to spend too much.

On that note: my hubby who knew I was so devastated about my chick loss in my makeshift incubator helped me build a new and improved one. It's holding temperatures and humidity beautifully!

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

I am looking for hatching eggs (duck as well as lf & bantam chickens). Anyone live near fryeburg who has some? Test hatch, so I don't want to spend too much.

On that note: my hubby who knew I was so devastated about my chick loss in my makeshift incubator helped me build a new and improved one. It's holding temperatures and humidity beautifully!

If you have plans on how to build a DIY 'bator, I'd love to see those plans ! Care to share ?

 

[MEMama3]

If you have plans on how to build a DIY 'bator, I'd love to see those plans ! Care to share ?

I'm going to be writing up something with pictures soon. Basically it's a 10 gallon aquarium lined with those puzzle floor mats for kids, a disassembled lamp held in place with a coat hanger stuck into the floor mag lining and a computer fan. Many venting options so you can tailor it to the needs of humidity and temperature.

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

I'm going to be writing up something with pictures soon. Basically it's a 10 gallon aquarium lined with those puzzle floor mats for kids, a disassembled lamp held in place with a coat hanger stuck into the floor mag lining and a computer fan. Many venting options so you can tailor it to the needs of humidity and temperature.

Great ! I can't wait to read your write-up !! Let me know when and where to find it please !

 

[lazy gardener]

FYI: If you google: "home made incubator", you'll find lots of instructions, including you-tube tutorials about how to hook up a fan and a thermostat. the bimetal thermostats can be bought for about $16, the computer fan for about $5 from a computer repair shop. You'll need a 12 V convertor like for a cell phone charger, several light bulb sockets and wiring (recycled old lamps), a sheet of plastic or glass (picture frame), and a box which can be a cooler, or as simple as several cardboard boxes nestled inside each other with newspaper for insulation. Add some basic electrical supplies, duct tape, and silicone, and you're set to do a MacGuyver incubator that will work as well or better than one you can buy for a LOT more money. Styrofoam boxes can be found free from pet shops or pharmacies. Happy hatching folks!! My goal is to get every one who has a rooster doing their own hatching, and to get everyone who doesn't have a rooster, to scavange eggs from a flock with a rooster... and doing their own hatching!!!

 

[MEMama3]

FYI:  If you google: "home made incubator", you'll find lots of instructions, including you-tube tutorials about how to hook up a fan and a thermostat.  the bimetal thermostats can be bought for about $16, the computer fan for about $5 from a computer repair shop.  You'll need a 12 V convertor like for a cell phone charger, several light bulb sockets and wiring (recycled old lamps), a sheet of plastic or glass (picture frame), and a box which can be a cooler, or as simple as several cardboard boxes nestled inside each other with newspaper for insulation.  Add some basic electrical supplies, duct tape, and silicone, and you're set to do a MacGuyver incubator that will work as well or better than one you can buy for a LOT more money.  Styrofoam boxes can be found free from pet shops or pharmacies.  Happy hatching folks!!  My goal is to get every one who has a rooster doing their own hatching, and to get everyone who doesn't have a rooster, to scavange eggs from a flock with a rooster... and doing their own hatching!!!

you know anyone in my neck of the woods who has a rooster in their flock lol? I've bought "eating eggs" from a couple local farms, but the hatch rates haven't been great. 1/11 fertile, 3/12 fertile and 2/10 fertile. I'm not sure how much the season affects the rooster' s performance, but I'd like better.

 

[lazy gardener]

I forget where your neck is?

 

[MEMama3]

I forget where your neck is?

Fryeburg/North Conway

 

[CoopChick719]

After all that, I forgot I have a question. I have 2 white leghorns who are getting pretty grungy looking lately. I wonder if I should wash them? Or is it because they haven't had a dust bath all winter? Finally, the only thing I have is ash from pellet stove. Could they use that for dust bath? Or would they all have pneumonia tomorrow? Crazy questions

I use my pellet stove ash in my dustbin. I already had wood stove ash, beach sand, finished compost, old potting soil from flower pots in it so I just keep adding to it. I also have a smaller bin in the coop. I've never seen anyone use it, even after I've put them in it.

Well between my broodys attack on her clutch and my inability to get the humidity to regulate in the incubator, we lost the last two chicks this morning. Both piped internally and then got stuck.

So sorry about your hatch, MEMama!

So, you've successfully had 4+ weeks apart? How many in each of the group(s), oldest to youngest? I'll be starting 17, hatching a bunch with the same hatch date, and possibly getting 2 more hatchlings 3 weeks later. My biggest concern is with the big flock of older birds being joined by just 2 wee littles.

I'd be concerned with that too.

Has anyone with egg-eaters tried giving cat food? I know it is good for the protein for their feathers but if it is the protein in the eggs that keep them eating the eggs, why not try cat food? Cat food and oyster shells aplenty...

I tried cat food with my chickens. They weren't big fans!