NY chicken lover!!!!

[Cass]

I agree that hatching by broody is the easiest way, but also as you said they go broody when they please. The biggest advantage I find with the incubator is the one can hatch more eggs, when one wants. I laughed when you said you had enough chickens at 37. I am up to 36 and was done, but wait!!! I have a broody! I'll move her to the broody coop tomorrow (too hot today and that coop is great in the spring, but in direct sunlight all afternoon in the summer). Should be a bit cooler in a few days. I wanted her to hatch in her regular coop, but when I would toss her out for water, she would come back and go into the box with one wooden egg.

So, how many eggs do I place under a large fowl?

Someone put 27 (or allowed that many to collect there) But only 9 hatched. So I would say 9 - 12 would be the max for good hatch rate. However, how many chicks do you really want? I don't want ANY, so I am going to give her 4- 6 and hope for 50% hatch rate. Just a chick or two to break her broodiness....and I'll pray for all roos, so I can EAT them. I really, really don't have space for any more birds. But I bet she could cover 15 with no problem ,she's a BIG girl....but who needs that many chicks this late in the season?

Now if Ray's flaky friend would get her act together and take the 2 hens I promised her, I would have more space.

 

[kamir]

Just came back from picking up my mail; made a cup of tea (hot) to enjoy while reading BYC when I heard a commotion in my ham radio room where the chicks are kept.

One of my Dellies made it over the top of the pen to freedom

, though she hadn't a clue (yet) what to do with it!

I knew this day was coming, but at 10 days old???? Oh joy...

kamir

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Just came back from picking up my mail; made a cup of tea (hot) to enjoy while reading BYC when I heard a commotion in my ham radio room where the chicks are kept.

One of my Dellies made it over the top of the pen to freedom

, though she hadn't a clue (yet) what to do with it!

I knew this day was coming, but at 10 days old???? Oh joy...

kamir

Its like having kids. They get out to freedom then are like :what do we do now??? I have 2 barred rock pullets that I swear spend each day inspecting the perimeter of the fence looking for a weak spot to escape from. Those two are trouble and if they find a spot, they are out!

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

My roo has crowed exactly once since I let the birds out a half-hour ago. Playing husband/daddy/nanny/broody referee all the time must be wearing him out!

Ahahahahaha!

Now he knows how we feel!

 

[rancher hicks]

I hear you Cass. I've got a BR on Del eggs right now and I plan to go away. I don't want to leave DW with a hen that may or may not hatch chicks. I've yet to make a circle of fencing to place food and water in so only the chicks can get at it.

Anyhow I plan to set some more under a couple of hens since they are determined as heck to set. DD and hers will come and help. I usually make sure I have jugs of feed ready so they only have to get water.

 

[HorseCrazyy]

 

[featherz]

Ugh.. SO tired of craigslist flakes.. what makes someone say 'oo, I want that!!', express lots of enthusiasm and then you a)never hear from them again or b) you hear about their dire family emergency. How hard is it to say "I am sorry, I changed my mind" or even "I am sorry, no longer able to buy whatever"..

Been trying to rehome my poor little week old chicks and am on flake #3.

 

[HorseCrazyy]

Featherz! I love your avatar! Its so cute

 

[vmdanielsen]

Someone put 27 (or allowed that many to collect there) But only 9 hatched. So I would say 9 - 12 would be the max for good hatch rate. However, how many chicks do you really want? I don't want ANY, so I am going to give her 4- 6 and hope for 50% hatch rate. Just a chick or two to break her broodiness....and I'll pray for all roos, so I can EAT them. I really, really don't have space for any more birds. But I bet she could cover 15 with no problem ,she's a BIG girl....but who needs that many chicks this late in the season?

Now if Ray's flaky friend would get her act together and take the 2 hens I promised her, I would have more space.

By tomorrow, I will have collected 6 or 8. That'll do. Don't really want more but I have hatched mostly pullets this year, so some roos will be nice for the freezer. Thanks!

 

[vmdanielsen]

Since I am going to have mainly silkies, they dont really fly. Just hop and flap. The only thing is there is no water to the barn, so carrying a huge bucket of water down the hill in the winter wind....

I wil have to think about this some more.

In the winter I have horse water in a heated muck bucket. I did not get it from here but you can get the idea: http://store.useful-items.com/merch...de=UI&Product_Code=067-16&Category_Code=FEEDA I did not notice any change in my electric bill. You could fill it up every few days and take from it when you needed it. I would cover it sturdy plastic or something. It would work if you have power in the barn.