Mid January Hatch thread....

[Andrew and sherry]

Is there anyone here from Canada? I am in New Brunswick. I would like to learn as much as possible about incubating eggs, I recently purchased a used one but am still doing homework on it. I like to make sure I know all I can before I try anything that involves a living creature and it's demise if I fail. I don't like to fail.

One question I have not yet found an answer for is: "If one of my hens wants to hatch out some little ones this time of year, should I allow her?" #2 is "Will the chick survive the winter months this year?" #3 is "When would be a good time to get my incubator started up for a spring hatch that will ensure my chicks survive and be healthy?"

We have been very lucky so far as far as snow and really cold weather goes here, but I believe it is just a matter of a couple weeks away.

A couple of my roosters were not very smart a couple weeks ago---- They had a drink just before bed time and that night's temperature was down to -14 degrees Celsius, resulting some discoloration, in time will the discoloration go away?

Thanks to everyone for your comments and help in these matters.
Andy 'n'sherry

 

[jen85]

Quote:
Yes, that is very lucky. I'm sorry you lost one, but I'm glad that it was ONLY one. Back in November, something got into my coop, killing all of my hens. My rooster managed to survive, but that was it. So, I find myself starting over.

That would be tough! How many did you have?

 

[Sphinx]

Andy N Sherry, When you say discolored, do you mean the rooster's combs? I've heard that smearing them with vasoline can help prevent frostbite. I will admit that I never did do that. I would imagine a hen could hatch a bunch of chicks this year, but I'm not sure how well raising them would go in very cold temperatures. I've never had a hen raise chicks though, so I'll defer to the experts on that.

Jen, I had 7 hens. My next door neighbor lost 12 the same day, and two more were severely injured. It was crazy! I've fixed the vulnerable spot, so it won't happen again.

 

[ambrosia]

I'm in northern Minnesota....

and I know people do it here. the chicks are available mid January, so I don't see the problem with a winter hatch. I will be keeping my babies in the house for the first few weeks though

 

[ambrosia]

I HAVE BABIES! I candled tonight, and although it's only day four ( too early I know) I have definite veining in 23!!! Of the others, there are three that are too porous to tell, and one buf orpington egg that I really don't see anything happening

I saw veining in the two EEs as well! I'm so excited...lol

 

[lilcritters]

YEAH!!! Congrads!!! I'm going to go look at mine again and see whats cooking...

Aprill

 

[ambrosia]

Quote:
Yes! and report back, because I need someone to

with... hahaha

 

[Jay262]

Quote:
Im to the east of you in newfoundland so the weather is pretty much the same as yours and i have eggs in the incubator right now. Aslong as your ok with keeping them inside for 4-6 weeks after they hatch its ok to incubate them right now. If you want a broody to do it you can try but it would have to be a fairly warm insulated coop i wouldnt try it this late into the season.

Waiting another month or so is better for incubating though weather will be warmer storms will be settling down less chance of a power outage. I just decided to incubate some now because i found some cayuga eggs that i really wanted i had been looking for some for awhile.

The discoloration is most likely frostbite you can put some vasaline on it they also sometimes peck each other causing the same result almost neither is a big big concern.

 

[lilcritters]

Quote:
Yes! and report back, because I need someone to

with... hahaha

Got to wait for the hubby to come home so I can use the LED light he has....


April

 

[newbee chick01]

eggs due 12 JAN its my 1st time so trying not to get my hopes up too much. by what ive read on here 1st hatches dont always go 2 plan.there developing well so far but still early days.ive got 2lemon pekins,2 chamois polish,2 silkies and posibly 2 fizzle bandams,,,well fizzles arnt growing as well as others but fingers crossed xx