Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[wannahomestead]

I use zipties and a spreadsheet to keep notes.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/leg-banding-with-zipties

Very nice trick, and much better than the bands you buy in the store.

Any good basic breeding guides out there? I'm not going for show or anything like that, but I want to avoid unnecessary inbreeding if possible/needed. I'm not sure how many of my new chicks will be kept vs sold/butchered/not make it/whatever, but I'd like to keep one of the likely roosters around and possibly put him with my new pullets from March.

 

[aart]

Quote: There's some breeding forums here....or do a search on inbreeding and/or line breeding.

 

[Featherlyadvice]

I don't want to do shipped eggs again so am looking for someone local. Is there anyone in southern central to southern east, even up 23 into Flint area that has Salmon Favorelle hatching eggs or chicks? Really looking for a roo and pullet pair. Maybe trio.

 

[1muttsfan]

First thing to do when breeding is identify your goals. Are you breeding for type? Color? Production? Egg color? Temperament? Try to limit your goals to a few most important things, as the more different goals you have the harder they are to achieve. This way you can select your breeders - to achieve your goals you will likely have to cull hard to a few individuals in each generation.

 

[Featherlyadvice]

First thing to do when breeding is identify your goals. Are you breeding for type? Color? Production? Egg color? Temperament? Try to limit your goals to a few most important things, as the more different goals you have the harder they are to achieve. This way you can select your breeders - to achieve your goals you will likely have to cull hard to a few individuals in each generation.

That sounds like excellent advice! I think I'd chose temperament and production because I'm interested in a flock my whole family can enjoy taking care of as well as getting the most from my birds.

I am soooooo excited! I was super nervous that my LG chick cooker had gone and done it. Twice now my thermometer has slipped of the top of the eggs due to the auto turner and has started measuring from the bottom of the bator. When I find it, temps at the top of the eggs are 105. Tonight I thought for sure they'd be cooked through, but when I candled them, they're dancing inside!! I've now taped the thermometer so that it wont slip again. I can't believe I saw them moving! 3 out of 4. Yay!

 

[audy5000g]

That sounds like excellent advice! I think I'd chose temperament and production because I'm interested in a flock my whole family can enjoy taking care of as well as getting the most from my birds.

I am soooooo excited! I was super nervous that my LG chick cooker had gone and done it. Twice now my thermometer has slipped of the top of the eggs due to the auto turner and has started measuring from the bottom of the bator. When I find it, temps at the top of the eggs are 105. Tonight I thought for sure they'd be cooked through, but when I candled them, they're dancing inside!! I've now taped the thermometer so that it wont slip again. I can't believe I saw them moving! 3 out of 4. Yay!

It's so exciting to see them move.

 

[1muttsfan]

Have you calibrated your thermometer? Many are quite inaccurate.

 

[Featherlyadvice]

I have 2 aquarium thermometers that I calibrated to make sure that my LG one was right. It was super close. I dont know how to calibrate the LG one thats connected to the plastic.

 

[Featherlyadvice]

I now see all 4 swimming around. So cool!

 

[wannahomestead]