Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[theron]

Can I ask why you left them in the egg carton? I am going to be setting another round of eggs, WC polish and red shoulder yoko's, and am wondering if this might be an alternative after they come out of the turner...

I tried both in an egg carton and just setting them on the bottom of the incubator. I prefer just setting them in the bottom of the incubator. Just personal preference I guess. You could just give it a shot and see which way you like better.

 

[Scifisarah]

Can I ask why you left them in the egg carton? I am going to be setting another round of eggs, WC polish and red shoulder yoko's, and am wondering if this might be an alternative after they come out of the turner...

The egg turner I have keeps them more upright than the yellow ones where they lay on their sides more I think, so it is less of a drastic change when I don't have to put them totally on their sides. When I go to lockdown, I put them in the paper cartons with holes punched in the bottoms and sides to improve circulation. I've only done this for two hatches before now but it has worked out well. I like that I can candle them, and tilt them slightly so the air cell is facing up, and they won't get knocked up and rolled around by the hatching chicks. It also seems to keep things a little cleaner. I have heard not to use Styrofoam ones though, as water can condense on them and cause problems.

 

[NovaAman]

Oh ok. The eggs I have coming are a medium size, so they don't set exactly straight up and down. I was just wondering if I'd have a better hatch using the carton at the end. The chicks running around wouldn't be knocking them silly then. I had so many that didn't hatch that made it to lock down and then died... I realise the shipping has a lot to do with it, and the fact that some were Jap Bantams. I think I will give the cardboard a try and see what happens.

 

[RaZ]

So many things to consider when practicing good animal husbandry. From setting eggs in an incubator to re-homing birds of any age.

I'm having a few second thoughts about the girls I sent out tonight. It might be a good discussion topic...

I had 3 ISA Browns (1 year old), 4 BSLs (2 at 2 yo and 2 at 1 yo). The wonderful lady who adopted my hens had room for 5 total. I suggested the 3 ISA and 2 of the younger BSL for maximum egg production.
In hind sight, would it have been better to keep the 4 BSLs together despite the age difference? I'm kind of thinking that I should have kept them separate by breed.

Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[NovaAman]

She'll have color in her yard...

 

[fuzzybutt love]

Quote:Originally Posted by taprock I liked my "egg carton hatch". You use the paper ones, and cut all but the very bottoms off, so the egg can still breathe; the carton helps to stabilize the humidity and keeps the hatchlings from kicking the others trying to zip. (I did "dry" until lockdown, and had the water cups already in at the last candling so they were already warm)

Since i was using a cheapo styrofoam bator with no turner, i just taped it shut and with the egg carton i was able to tip the whole bator side to side and kept the hatch humidity and temps pretty stable.

 

[1muttsfan]

Raz they will do fine, they are all used to being together.

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

It has been a while since I popped in over here.
Hope everyone is well.

I am wondering if there is anyone near Livonia/ Farmington Hills that has chicks that could spare a pair.
I have a broody that has been sitting for a month. She has an egg under her with dead baby in it.
I feel terrible. She has been so faithful to her egg with no result.
I had another 2 of her eggs under another broody: one that developed funny and never hatched, and one that hatched and is super healthy.
I am not picky on breeds, but that they are healthy chicks
Please and thank you.

Happy Mothers Day

 

[Nigellas]

Macchiato died unexpectantly last night, I am so depressed. I bought these ten serama chicks just so I could get more hens for him, I loved the little guy so much. There was no blood, injuries, or visible parasites. He was dry in a clean coop, it looks like he just laid down in a corner and died.

SO sorry for your sudden loss.


Am I the only one here who is gardening impulsive? Every year I get itchy to plant my garden once May rolls in. The last few weeks have been so nice, I thought I was going to be fine to plant before the Frost-Free Date.

And now I've got 1/2 of my garden covered as best I could with plastic and sheets and tarps (the other half will have to make it. I ran out of covering material, lol). Hoping my heat-happy stuff doesn't get too angry and decide not to produce (eggplant and tomatoes, I'm looking at you!)

 

[gaitngirl]

So many things to consider when practicing good animal husbandry. From setting eggs in an incubator to re-homing birds of any age.

I'm having a few second thoughts about the girls I sent out tonight. It might be a good discussion topic...

I had 3 ISA Browns (1 year old), 4 BSLs (2 at 2 yo and 2 at 1 yo). The wonderful lady who adopted my hens had room for 5 total. I suggested the 3 ISA and 2 of the younger BSL for maximum egg production.
In hind sight, would it have been better to keep the 4 BSLs together despite the age difference? I'm kind of thinking that I should have kept them separate by breed.

Thoughts? Opinions?

They will be fine together - they are used to each other. I started out with 4 Isa Browns and 3 BSL as chicks 3 summers ago - they still do great together. The BSL are larger but the Isas are more pushy, lol.
I was contemplating fostering some of yours for you until you can have them again, but it looks like you are doing pretty well. Your ducks are doing fabulous - they LOVE the pond. I've started leaving the coop open overnight (I have a watchmule for protection) and they head for the pond first thing every morning. My other ducks never liked the pond so it's great having some that do.

I just love watching them play in there.

I think both of the Runners are drakes (so I guess I'll be in the market for a couple hens). The Rouens are getting quite large (they boss everyone around, too! Even my Muscovies). Once they are laying, if you ever want eggs, just say the word.

Duck math is nearly as bad as chicken math!!!