March 2017! Hatch with us!

[HenLeia]

Grrrrr, I have 2 acres, but I'm surrounded by 12 properties that touch mine.  I have 3 streets that those houses sit on.  One of the properties is down a VERY Steep slope.  The chainlink fence is VERY old and is starting to tilt.  We have to replace it, but there are too many other things that need to be done first.  It's not a problem for any of the houses except that 1. I would describe that house as mild to moderate hoarders.  They do nothing in small quantities.  They have 10 or so little ankle biter dogs.  Minature border collies I think.  They keep digging holes under the fence and harassing my chickens.  I have 15 or so birds that wander the yard, plus I have my babies up by the house, in a small coop.  Fortunately the babies are pretty secure in there, but 2 of the dogs were doing their best to get at them.  When I walked outside, I tried to grab them.  One ran back into it's yard, the other ran toward the front of my house.

My tenant has a large goofy (I think part great dane) dog that is super friendly.  We turned him loose and he chased the dog over to me .  I grabbed it, but as I went back to their yard, where one of the teens came out to see what the racket was about, it saw the other 9 dogs and went nuts in my arms.  I had a hard time keeping it from biting me.  Well, cuz it was freaking out, 3 more dogs came through.  The teen took the one I was holding.  Called the dogs back.  1 listened. 2 didn't I had to chase those suckers back to the hole, and I"ve done my best to block it off.  

I've checked the whole yard.  I don't see any signs of feathers.  So, I think they JUST went after the babies, and left my escapees alone.  This is the 3rd time their dogs have gotten in my yard.  I think it's just a matter of time before those dogs kill something.  If they do, I will catch them and bring em to the pound.  I won't hand them back over.  

The scary part, the teen told me they just had a litter of 12 puppies that are 4 weeks old.  I sure hope they plan on selling them.

You should put up an electric fence and teach them to stay away from your yard.

 

[Jessimom]

You should put up an electric fence and teach them to stay away from your yard.

Very true, but it's a LONG, LONG fence. It's a good idea though. Maybe we can just electrify a section....

 

[lilwildrabbit]

Very true, but it's a LONG, LONG fence.  It's a good idea though.  Maybe we can just electrify a section....

electrify where they come in at is all you need

 

[Jedwards]

So it turns out my goose eggs were infertile. I think this because I cracked one open on like day 12 or 13 (I don't remember anymore lol) because I felt confidant they were duds and all I saw was yolk, no blood specs or vessels or blood rings. But on the bright side I also had quail eggs set too. I put 36 pharoah in on 3/2 and so far from candling had 5 quitters and 11 infertile. The rest go into lock down on Thurs. I was gonna buy 2 doz but figured with fertility rate and my own error I would lose a doz so I bought three doz haha. I also set 15 golden on 3/9 that I bought from a reputable breeder on ebay. My fist experience with shipped eggs--shipping was a nightmare. Expedited took 5 days (mon-fri) to travel halfway across the state and we got spiked with cold temps too with lows in the teens this weeks so that didn't help. (Currently getting slammed with a nor'easter 24"+ of snow) But of the 15 I candled, they seem to be doing ok. I candled 6 and saw blood vessels in 5 and the 6th was too blue/dark to see anything. It is also a little early I guess, only day 4. I'm pumped though!!

 

[Jessimom]

So it turns out my goose eggs were infertile. I think this because I cracked one open on like day 12 or 13 (I don't remember anymore lol) because I felt confidant they were duds and all I saw was yolk, no blood specs or vessels or blood rings. But on the bright side I also had quail eggs set too. I put 36 pharoah in on 3/2 and so far from candling had 5 quitters and 11 infertile. The rest go into lock down on Thurs. I was gonna buy 2 doz but figured with fertility rate and my own error I would lose a doz so I bought three doz haha. I also set 15 golden on 3/9 that I bought from a reputable breeder on ebay. My fist experience with shipped eggs--shipping was a nightmare. Expedited took 5 days (mon-fri) to travel halfway across the state and we got spiked with cold temps too with lows in the teens this weeks so that didn't help. (Currently getting slammed with a nor'easter 24"+ of snow) But of the 15 I candled, they seem to be doing ok. I candled 6 and saw blood vessels in 5 and the 6th was too blue/dark to see anything. It is also a little early I guess, only day 4. I'm pumped though!!

Sorry about your goosers, but congrats on all the rest!! Go chickies go!!!

 

[Jedwards]

Thank you! I was kind of bummed but luckily I had the quail set so not all was lost

 

[WVduckchick]

Thank you! I was kind of bummed but luckily I had the quail set so not all was lost

I did the same thing and bought 3 dozen thinking I would lose more. 32 developed, I think 28 hatched! Quail are still the most fun to watch zip. Don't blink! They'll be done!!

 

[MontainBourbons]

I just had one hatch 1.5 days earlier than the normal first pip. None of the others have even hatched yet. Does this happen to anybody else???

 

[WVduckchick]

I just had one hatch 1.5 days earlier than the normal first pip. None of the others have even hatched yet. Does this happen to anybody else???

Maybe a warm spot in the incubator? Or a hen pre-incubated it??

Which brings me to a question for you guys. I think I have a hen trying to go broody. I have no idea how long she sat on the eggs I removed from under her. What if I incubate them? Should I toss them? Should they be eaten or not? I know it couldn't have been more than 9 hours, while I was gone to work.

 

[orrpeople]

Grrrrr, I have 2 acres, but I'm surrounded by 12 properties that touch mine.  I have 3 streets that those houses sit on.  One of the properties is down a VERY Steep slope.  The chainlink fence is VERY old and is starting to tilt.  We have to replace it, but there are too many other things that need to be done first.  It's not a problem for any of the houses except that 1. I would describe that house as mild to moderate hoarders.  They do nothing in small quantities.  They have 10 or so little ankle biter dogs.  Minature border collies I think.  They keep digging holes under the fence and harassing my chickens.  I have 15 or so birds that wander the yard, plus I have my babies up by the house, in a small coop.  Fortunately the babies are pretty secure in there, but 2 of the dogs were doing their best to get at them.  When I walked outside, I tried to grab them.  One ran back into it's yard, the other ran toward the front of my house.

My tenant has a large goofy (I think part great dane) dog that is super friendly.  We turned him loose and he chased the dog over to me .  I grabbed it, but as I went back to their yard, where one of the teens came out to see what the racket was about, it saw the other 9 dogs and went nuts in my arms.  I had a hard time keeping it from biting me.  Well, cuz it was freaking out, 3 more dogs came through.  The teen took the one I was holding.  Called the dogs back.  1 listened. 2 didn't I had to chase those suckers back to the hole, and I"ve done my best to block it off.  

I've checked the whole yard.  I don't see any signs of feathers.  So, I think they JUST went after the babies, and left my escapees alone.  This is the 3rd time their dogs have gotten in my yard.  I think it's just a matter of time before those dogs kill something.  If they do, I will catch them and bring em to the pound.  I won't hand them back over.  

The scary part, the teen told me they just had a litter of 12 puppies that are 4 weeks old.  I sure hope they plan on selling them.

Irresponsible pet ownership drives me crazy!! Especially when you have to live right next door!
I can't help finding a moral to this story for all of us crazy hatchers as well, to always have the very best plans for every little fluffy critter that pops into our lives.