March 2017! Hatch with us!

[DPWPDX]

I couldn't wait for the hatch sooooo I bought some chicks! Now I understand how chicken math strikes.

 

[dannyelle123]

Wow, do I have to worry about the tufted gene killing my EEs in the shell? I don't know much about genetics, but I think EE are related to Araucanas right?

No! EE's do not carry the fatal gene...

 

[dannyelle123]

I just got done moving 2,000 lbs of moss rock and a yard each of veggie dirt and gravel! OMG!!! I am so tired and my back is killing me! I'll post before and after pics if anyone is interested... LOL! Just before my chickens tear everything up! LOLOLOL Time to wash this disgusting layer of dirt and sweat off!

 

[yeye5]

I'm kind of weird about stuff, so I weighed a packet and measured it out. 1/8 Teaspoon per 8 ounces of water. I use those quart waterers for the little ones, about 3/4 full, so I toss in 3 scoops with my 1/8 tsp measuring spoon. Or thereabouts.

Thank you!
Just to be clear, are you talking about the electrolyte powder mixing into the water? It sure sounds like it but there was also disscussion about food.
I don't mind measuring at all. In fact I prefer to do it that way. There were just no instructions for doing that.
I also went by the color. To me, when mixed properly, it looks like the old "Tang" drinks we had as kids (my age is showing! I'm 53 yrs old). They got that complicated by pushing food into the water/electrolyte mix.
These birds are characters!

I know there's as much harm potential in giving too much as well as them needing it and not giving it enough. Since the color (whether from food or from strength of mix) was darker than I wanted, I just add plain water if there's any (clean) when I refresh the water. I do that many times per day...a well meaning excuse to look in on and pick up the little peeps.
I hope they're dry and camera ready this morning!

 

[yeye5]

Yea I think if I didn't blind them in the shell lol

Well, that sure is one way to get a lot of movement to see! Nobody could sleep through that, lol. Now you made me want to order a new flashlight too.

 

[yeye5]

Are the silkies like that hard to raise? I might get interested in some as cute as they are

Just my 2 cents on the question. I will admit I am in love with silkies. More objectively though, I feel they are easy as any other breed and might be easier in some respects as the hens tend strongly toward broodiness.
Fringe benefits are that they look like fluffy little dolls. It is unreal!
If you're looking for eggs though, they lay nicely but their eggs are quite a bit smaller than standard breeds. I'd say my silkie eggs range from 1/2 the size of a medium brown egg (also laid here) to 1/3 the size of a white leghorn egg.

 

[yeye5]

Also, Silkies are easy prey. They really need to be in a covered pen. They are a bantam breed, so hawks are an issue for me.

Agree 110%! I failed to mention that. So on the not-easy size that's totally true. They really have no sense of danger or protecting themselves.
My silkies all have roofs.

 

[yeye5]

I had one crawl in through a flaw in the coop and got stuck. My brother got great photos while removing him.

WOW!!! What a face! What an amazing opportunity! I hope you got him (hawk) before he got your birds?
There is no more surprised look I've ever seen than that first photo!

 

[yeye5]

I have a bad habit to make crazy things like that but was looking around and I think I could set up a 3 zone cabinet one with low humidity for the egg turners then a set of lockdown shelves next door then the whole underneath half could be a brooder with lighted side openings with fans to circulate air and house chicks for the first week letting the temp get lower each day so they could go out to the big brooder house that should have been built already !! I can monitor automatically the humidity in the lockdown side with a nebulizer heat would be no problem then the turners could be off a system like this one in the store bought incubator the brooder just needs the heat and cooling set up humidity is not a problem then so that's just two independent thermostats, one humidity controll and the guts out of this plastic incubator and the wood and glass doors I already have hmm and I do have some stain to make it look like nice furnature!! Hmmm ideas for summer project!!

I have to say, that doesn't sound crazy at all. It sounds super-creative and it sounds like it will not only be fun to build but a great addition to your set up!

 

[yeye5]

Oh NOOOOOO! I'm Addicted!!!!!!

It sounds like a super creative plan. I hope it's fun to build and works great!