Maine

[MustardTiger]

is anyone going to be hatching turkeys? Heritage breeds? - or have fertile eggs later in the spring..I have decided to order some hatching eggs later on when its warmer, build a brooding pen for chicks and meat birds later on. BUT I still want three turkeys to raise. The min chick order from Paris farmers union etc is 6 and I do not want or need 6 turkeys, even with their penchant for suicide.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

A buck rag is a rag that has been rubbed all over a buck to get his scent. It drives the girls wild. It's good to tell if your girl is in heat, or throw it in the goat house to try and induce heat.


Forgive my dementia... who had young laying hens for sale? Someone asked me today for info. If it's you, PM me your info, please.

 

[echosrevenge]

Does anyone have fertile hatching eggs now? I'm trying to top up the batch of Faverolles I have in the turner waiting for my current teensy hatch to finish (2 LF Salmon Faverolle out so far, still waiting on the one NHR/OEGB cross to show if it's gonna do anything), and as much as I love my Faverolles, I would love to get some of the following breeds as well:

Easter Egger/Americana (not picky about purebreds or colors, just think my niece would like the colorful eggs)
Brahma (any color)
Faverolles in colors other than Salmon
LF Cochin (any color, but I do think the laced ones are awfully pretty)
Cream Legbar

I'd also take Welsummer or Ancona eggs to hatch for my sister.

I am, of course, willing to pick them up myself and pay for them, though if you would like hatching eggs from my Faverolles in trade I'm happy to do that as well - I've got a couple of dozen stored in the turner now for my own hatches that you could have, and half a dozen or so more every day. I'd be happy to incubate some eggs for you, or split the chicks from your eggs if you like too (didn't someone mention wanting chicks from a certain EE hen up-thread a bit? I lurk...). We're in Midcoast near Rockland, and the nearer the better but I can travel to you with a bit of planning for use of a car. Thanks!

 

[ashandvine]

is anyone going to be hatching turkeys? Heritage breeds? - or have fertile eggs later in the spring..I have decided to order some hatching eggs later on when its warmer, build a brooding pen for chicks and meat birds later on. BUT I still want three turkeys to raise. The min chick order from Paris farmers union etc is 6 and I do not want or need 6 turkeys, even with their penchant for suicide.

If you aren't in a huge hurry then yes, Midget Whites and if you wait for them to hatch you can buy a couple at a time etc.

Echo... where are your Favs from? If you find blacks let me know. I only heard of one person with them.

 

[Keric]

Mustard

We have been getting about 1 egg a day from our Naragansetts for the past few weeks. We are not hatching them right now but are saving them. Our silkie was sitting on two now just one as one proved to be not fertile or to old. You can have them if you want, or you can take your chances for later on in the spring. I might try to hatch some out myself but not now because the incubator is being used.

 

[echosrevenge]

We got them from Welp Hatchery last spring. They're super healthy, not incredibly type-y (some with lots of darker feathers, one that's nearly a straight-up Mahogany, but several who are GORGEOUSLY textbook in appearance too), but they have all laid really well all winter long in an un-insulated coop with no supplemental lighting, heated water, or anything. The cockerels are big, meaty, and have great flavor as a roasted dinner for 4-6 with plenty left over for soup; but they are also super docile and are great free ranging with our (very active, chicken-chasing) 14-month-old toddler out in the yard. I would love to find some blacks, let me know if you track any down and I'll do the same.

 

[hoppy]

Show cages; do they need to be brand label or can you build your own? My son is FINALLY talking about showing and he wants to use either the Polish Cap we have or a Sultan to work with. I now call for all help to be had! I have no idea what he would be getting into. I told him our Polish won't win but he can learn a lot with her because he loves her and she is sweet/easy to handle, and then work with a different 'good' bird if he wants to try to win. He was fine with that-- this from a boy who won't do it if he doesn't think he can win so I am eager to get this ball rolling before it turns out to be a snow ball which melts.

Hoppy? ChicketMagnet? Got advice for me or anyone who wants to show so we aren't walking in there and embarrassing ourselves so badly he won't try a second time???

 

[MustardTiger]

Ash and Keric, Thank you. I will keep you both in mind. I am not in a hurry. How much do midget whites dress out at?

 

[lazy gardener]

Incubator

It's completed and running. Styrofoam box, 2 x 40 W bulbs, thermostat in middle, computer fan blowing across, small heat shield to deflect heat back towards thermostat. My temps (without eggs) are cycling between 99.1 and 100.0 with a incubator warehouse thermometer/hygrometer with probe at "egg level". Other thermometers I have tried include: rectal mercury thermometer, digital medical thermometer, with quite a bit of variance. Anyone out there use the incubator warehouse one like mine, or have better luck with a different type. Is my temp good or should I boost it just a tiny bit. After the eggs are in and developing, will their metabolism change my readings any???

 

[klf73]

Hoppy! That is not fair!!! You tease me so!

KLF do you have any breda left? I need a roo at least...

Candled our firat batch of eggs tonifght and too out 7

I still have my trio of breda, dh has decided HE really likes them and their quirky behaviors so they are one of the breeds that are staying. I will be hatching some out soon so if you aren't in a rush I will be able to give you a cockeral later on?