May Hatch-a-Long!

[Kelsykin]

Lucky for me I decided to pull the 7 the one had gotten his head caught on the heating element.

 

[Kelsykin]

The 7 turkeys that have hatched so far.

This is until all the hatching is done and I know these guys are eating and drinking. Once I see them eat and drink they go into the big bin.

 

[Deb B]

I have to say that I've been a pretty cool cucumber about this hatch since it is my first......until today. Day 20 and no rocking eggs, no pips, no chirping........I'm going nuts! Trying to tell myself to keep calm and incubate on!

 

[Cynthia12]

Thank you. I think I'll just wait a few more days and see.

Don't want to leave them in the bator longer than 24 hrs.

Dry and fluffy, good time to snatch them out, that's what I do, sometimes sooner if my brooder is nice and warm for them.

 

[Cynthia12]

The 7 turkeys that have hatched so far.

This is until all the hatching is done and I know these guys are eating and drinking. Once I see them eat and drink they go into the big bin.

So cute! And, Oooo, what color would you call that grey baby? Grey..

I don't do turkeys!

 

[Cynthia12]

Don't want to leave them in the bator longer than 24 hrs.

Dry and fluffy, good time to snatch them out, that's what I do, sometimes sooner if my brooder is nice and warm for them.

Boo Boo alert...48 hrs..not 24..or, if they are dry and fluffy..just don't want them in there too long, they will need water before food.

 

[QuailRaiser]

I have 37 Coturnix eggs, tonight is day 17, and we have several eggs quivering as well as one crack on an egg...

 

[Cynthia12]

I have 37 Coturnix eggs, tonight is day 17, and we have several eggs quivering as well as one crack on an egg...

17 days? Is this the time they take? I did buttons once..they were sooo cute and tiny. We need photos when yours hatch..here are mine..
Then older. They sure do change in coloring.

 

[mollybuck]

they just grow too freaky fast. try everything once, right?
they use a specific genetic line of rocks and cornish to create the cross, which is bred for super fast growth. they are ready to be processed at 8 weeks old! that's crazy fast... the breast meat grows so thick, it's like 2 breasts. 1 breast weighs 14-15oz (almost 1 lb) and feeds 2 people. in fact, Foster Farms processes their CornishX at 44.5 days, to get the perfect sized breast meat (6wk)

I didn't like their behavior. they were gross. they would not forrage, or "free range" they would just lay down in front of the feeder and eat all day. they didn't care if they were covered in their own poop. the meat tastes fine, I guess, but I have heard that it is a bit "plain." chickens who eat grass and bugs have better flavor than those who only eat grain, like my cornishX did.

this will be my first year using heritage cross breeds as my meat chickens, so it's a work in progress and we'll see how it goes! I am going to have them in a tractor that moves around the property and fenced range area separate of my egg flock.

Interesting. We grew these my whole young life. I feed mine 2 a day and only what they can eat in 1/2 hour. I let them outside and they eat grass and such. My dad never let them out but I clean the pen frequently a mb d it's easier without them. I will have to see if they taste any different. I know restricted food helps with leg issues from gaining weight too fast.

 

[mollybuck]

...

 I want rainbow eggs. 
[/quote

Me too! Not for a while tho. I am loving my dottes. Maybe someday I will get different ( more) kinds!