Maine

[ashandvine]

Got my first eggs! Woo hoo. How cool that they started here on May 1. Of course, the broody is still broody so.... if I break down and get her eggs like I think I might we'll be over run soon enough I have only found fertile Columbian Wyandotte eggs for sale somewhat locally so I may end up with those. I put the word out but haven't heard from a couple folks yet about possible others. Crossing my fingers. The dottes will do if I have no other choices.

Got to share something only you folks in here might think is funny: I ordered chicks weeks ago. They come in this Friday. I set aside a box to bring them home in-- its a Eggo box, says so in big letters on the side. If that weren't enough I told my partner and he says to me, 'too bad you couldn't take a marker and turn the O into an ER." I could!!

 

[annabananaandfamily]

Just put my eggs into lockdown. Started with 24 and have 15 in lockdown. I dont think that is too bad! I think if I hadnt had to wait so long to set the eggs from hoppy it might have been a little better. I also put in 4 eggs from my aunts chickens which have never been checked for fertility. Of those 4 I tossed 2 early on because they were totally clear. I also tossed a couple from Hoppy that had blood rings. I read somewhere that that can be cause from temp issues??

I hope the hatch goes well from here. I am trying the "dry hatch" method, as I am pretty sure I drowned a few last go round. And trying to keep temps under control. I have a feeling that is what might have caused some of the leg issues last go round....So now we wait!

 

[hoppy]

I just had a dismal hatch. 26+ eggs, only 3 hatched. temp issues with my bator. my welsummer are hatching early but not many of those.I set only the darkest eggs and that was 4 eggs, 3 are hatching early and one was clear, the rest were as light colored as my wyandottes eggs. seller of those said he didn't know they were supposed to lay dark eggs (right!).
I have 3 more batches left to hatch and I hope that the temp issue will not affect those. time will tell.
on a funny note, my dog kept sitting down quick this morning and turning to look at his butt, turns out he had porcupine quill in it- poor dog.

 

[kinsey228]

I just had a dismal hatch. 26+ eggs, only 3 hatched. temp issues with my bator. my welsummer are hatching early but not many of those.I set only the darkest eggs and that was 4 eggs, 3 are hatching early and one was clear, the rest were as light colored as my wyandottes eggs. seller of those said he didn't know they were supposed to lay dark eggs (right!).
I have 3 more batches left to hatch and I hope that the temp issue will not affect those. time will tell.
on a funny note, my dog kept sitting down quick this morning and turning to look at his butt, turns out he had porcupine quill in it- poor dog.

I know how you feel. Out of 27 eggs that I rec'd, I only have 2 chicks. A Splash Marans, and a BCM. I can't wait for the Orpington cockerel and the BLRW cockerel you gave me (and my GLW cockerel) to be old enough to "do their job" so I can hatch some of my own eggs ! I'm thinking of mating the Black Orp cockerel w/ my Buff Orp, and my Barred and Partridge rocks, and the BLRW w/ my BLRW female, and the GLW w/ my GLW girls. Of course that won't be for another like 4-5 months, but it is something to look forward to. I may mate some of my girls w/ my Aunt's Jersey Giant roo in the mean time, just to see what the chicks will look like. She may also give me some of her Delaware hatching eggs. On another note, the flock absolutely loves the new run my Hubby and Father-in-law built for them. It's really big, and the Leghorns and banties haven't flown out, yet.

 

[annabananaandfamily]

Whew! good thing we locked them down when we did! Theres a whole lot of peeping going on in that bator.

 

[PollyC]

Have lots of Black Spanish turkeys hatching, I think she said there are 15 now and more coming. I will have them at the Wilton Swap and Lewiston swap.

 

[hoppy]

I just posted up an auction for paint silkie, paint over sizzle and just plain silkie hatching eggs if anyone is interested. pick up is available
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-sizzle-and-just-silkie-hatching-eggs-auction

 

[maine chicks]

If you are looking for guineas check out breeders list on guineafowl.com. There was a breeder in Maine a while ago. I get my keets from Brooks Farm and Feed in Brunswick. I don't know if they are still taking orders-it was the way I didn't have to buy 25! That would be a lot of noise LOL.

 

[gracejr]

Anyone know where I can find Sevin Dust around here? Or something else if it works better? I think the chicks may have mites. I'm not sure the best way to check for the bugs, but they've all been doing a good bit of head shaking lately. No other symptoms that I can tell and acting normal otherwise. Not sure where they could have come from, since they've never been outside?!? Unless it is from the shavings - which would REALLY blow, since I *just* opened that bag too.

 

[hoppy]

anyone looking for guineas should check out any one of the many poultry swaps going on around the state. in another month, they should be plenty. I heard they are late laying this yr.
(or we are just early due to the nice weather we had early)

If you are looking for guineas check out breeders list on guineafowl.com. There was a breeder in Maine a while ago. I get my keets from Brooks Farm and Feed in Brunswick. I don't know if they are still taking orders-it was the way I didn't have to buy 25! That would be a lot of noise LOL.