Mille Cochin Info

[Reyvaughn]

I hope it stays on, too! I am as prepared for this as much as I can. Hopefully all the birds, animals and us make it through just fine. They cancelled school already for tomorrow. A little premature if you ask me. We are barely getting any rain yet. The winds are supposed to start tonight, though. We shall see. My husband wouldn't help me prepare because he says the weather people are hyping it all up and they are delusional. My husband doesn't care as long as he gets to work. Really. The animals and us are of no concern. Just his job.

I have another MFC out, 3 MFCs still alive and an Ameraucana. They must be the eggs I set 1 and 2 days after the others. Seriously, they need to hurry it along now. They would be on day 20 and 21 if they are the late setters.
I looked up the pics of MF D'uccles. Their chicks are grey bodied with red heads. I have two like that. I am very, very curious how these ones come out!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Good to see more beauties popping out!
I sure hope your power stayed on.
Ours was blinking off and on all night because of high winds. I am about to head down and check on the brooder room and hope they are all okay. I have the itsy bitsies up here in the house still.

Out the door in the dark...brrrrr!

 

[County Boy]

My Cochin's are pretty upset about being locked up. Especially my Lf as they have a coop to small right now. It's perfect when the run is open but the runs are all blockede off right now. To muddy for there feathered feet. The banatms are all sitting in the window watching the rain. Remington is very unhappy. I hate storms.

 

[pawtraitart]

At what age does a MF get all the color/pattern it's going to get? I know from reading the posts in this forum that they go through changes. When can you safely judge what you have?

 

[County Boy]

At what age does a MF get all the color/pattern it's going to get? I know from reading the posts in this forum that they go through changes. When can you safely judge what you have?

I'm pretty sure it varie's depending on bloodlines.

 

[Reyvaughn]

Power's still on and those last 4 eggs are sitting motionless in the incubator. I keep hoping to see a pip or something. We had a flicker so far today and there is a tree down at the bottom of the hill and small branches coming off all over.


I have an incubation question. I know you are not supposed to help chicks out unless there is a darn good reason to (I usually only help if they are stuck to the membrane). If they pip internally and the power goes out, would it be okay to help move them out the rest of the way? I really don't want to lose them this close to hatching if something does happen to the power and they didn't get out all the way.

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Oh no Rev! I read on the PA thread that to keep the temps up for brooder or incubator, if you have a way to boil water (gas stove perhaps?)- Put hot water in plastic bags wrapped in cloth and into bater or brooder, keep a good eye on the temp. I know this sounds tedious.

I'm in PA too, so far lost the power for about 1/2 hr. now we're back up. If you were closer, I'd lend you a broody.

 

[Reyvaughn]

I have a wood stove and it's about 90 degrees right beside it. I also have a lone Cochin pullet inside yet. She's been hearing them and keeps calling for them. She may 'mother' them if I allow her to have them. I had a young pullet act the same way about newly hatched chicks.

I do have another egg pipped. One egg is pretty underdeveloped and it's the most important egg I have - an egg from my chocolate project pen. It won't make it... I know the power won't stay on long enough for it to hatch. I need another day or two for that one to make it. I wish I had the car plug for my incubator now.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I feel bad for all of you in the path of the storm. We are getting 40+ winds here and it is miserable. I keep everyone in my prayers that will have to contend with this devastating weather!

We have a generator ready at all times here. The first thing plugged in is the brooders since I usually have about 8 going all the time with different aged chicks in them and the least amount in one is 22 with the most being 50. The second thing plugged in is the incubator!
Our power went out this morning and I was glad to see the chicks down at the barn in the brooders in good shape. I have an indicator light but never know if it will lie to me or not so I use it only to keep my heart from failing if I think one of my lights has gone out.

Be careful, stay safe and put that last egg in the incubator in your bra. It has worked before!

 

[ki4got]

Power's still on and those last 4 eggs are sitting motionless in the incubator. I keep hoping to see a pip or something. We had a flicker so far today and there is a tree down at the bottom of the hill and small branches coming off all over.


I have an incubation question. I know you are not supposed to help chicks out unless there is a darn good reason to (I usually only help if they are stuck to the membrane). If they pip internally and the power goes out, would it be okay to help move them out the rest of the way? I really don't want to lose them this close to hatching if something does happen to the power and they didn't get out all the way.

no. if they internally pip but don't externally, they may not be quite ready and if you pull them out too soon, they will likely bleed to death and the yolk sack probably isn't absorbed. if they haven't pipped, candle them. if you see movement inside that means they've internally pipped and are working on it. no movement (if it's day 21 or later) means they're probably quitters. but i usually leave eggs in for a couple extra days just in case. like that last buff barred that surprised the crap outta me. LOL