OHio ~ Come on Buckeyes, let me know your out there!

[ShayBaby]

What kind of thermometer and hygrometer are you using? Do you know how to calibrate the hygrometer? It's really starting to sound and look like a humidity or bacteria issue than a temp issue. With the exception of the one incubator that was swinging temps on you. I would expect that somewhere lost there. Loveourbirds, maybe you can weigh in too. You've incubated more than I have!!!

One of the thermometers came with the bator. I think it reads a couple degrees too high. Got an analog thermo/hygro set for reptile enclosures at the pet store. Tested that thermometer with one more at first and this one seems to be correct. Did the salt test with the hygrometer in the beginning and seemed to be ok. Put one more analog hygro in since and is reading the same, so hopefully both are right. It's be sad if they quit because I forget to hand wash once or twice. Definitely a possibility though.

 

[loveourbirds]

From the birds they have in their pen this is what colors are produced from these. I was wrong when I was thinking that all blacks would be split cockerels. I forgot about the pure black pullets that can hatch from these.

Black Male carrying Chocolate X Chocolate Female = 25% Chocolate Males, 25% Black Males carrying Chocolate, 25% Chocolate Females, 25% Black Females.
I'm going to take pics of the chicks individually today for my own records. I'll add them here too. Some of them hatched out nice and big like true AM's and some were tiny like bantams.

I figured when it comes time for breeding and culling I can let the hens go as layers elsewhere and either eat the roos or let someone else get them for their project. I've done plenty of the culling thing before when I had the silkies. This is just my first color project that doesn't breed completely true. My lavenders and my porcelain silkies I had would breed on and produce true to type silkies. I just have to work out the unwanted factors in this project.

i asked someone if they would write an article on the problem genes. i just asked last night, and i dont know the person well, so we will see.

you have the right ideas. and some of these genes will drive you crazy. if you do have 2 different sizes, i think i would try to work with creating both. the worst is it would set you back a generation. i would weed out any black males, and keep all the females. in my mind it wouldn't be wrong to keep a black male as an extra, but for the most part i would stick to the chocolate colors on males and any extra black breed in through the hens. this is just an opinion, you probably know more than i do on these.

the unwanted factors do come with all breeds though, how many RIR's have white earlobes? same thing with old english, oh and the mulberry in the faces on OE

.

in your case i would probably raise them all to adults before you cull, how many times does something change color turning its "teenage" molt. i know this takes lots of room, but i think the overall product will be worth it for you. once you learn the characteristics you want it makes it easier to cull earlier. i myself do tend to over-cull here, im just trying to take care of to many in a smaller area.

 

[loveourbirds]

Quote: if you happen to be coming this way, we can test your thermometer against mine. seremas are hard to hatch, i can tell you how i do it on shipped seramas, but i only get about 50% hatches on them on a good day.

when they come in, i put them straight in the incubator, standing on their end, large side up. i leave the turner level, and turn the first time in 24 hours, one full cycle, leveling them back out. i do that for the first 3 days of incubation, then set the turner on auto.

all of you are going to cringe when you hear this- i have not used a hygrometer for 2 years. i had one, but once i got onto it - i found i done better without it. i have said this several times im sure: a broody hen does not wear a watch, hold a thermometer or hygrometer, she doesnt mark a calender. the ambient temperature around her is not constant at all, it might be 80 in the day and 50 in the night, and she will still hatch just fine. i had a hen hatch with the temps in the lower 20's, she had a 50% hatch and raised all that hatched.

 

[loveourbirds]

Well I just turned 58 less than a week ago, left Cincinnati when I was 19 for navy lived on a destroyer for long time met my wife in bath Maine we got in July 1975. Moved back to Ohio up near Findlay, Forrest, Kenton area way back raised 2 kids there and finally we moved to Florida about 6 years ago. And my wife thinks of herself as a buckeye even though she is from Maine but having birthed 2 children there, went to nursing school worked as RN, & just spent 40 years there and all that stuff I guess she is a buckeye

a Buckeye/Gator??? i know how it is, i fought through all of my teenage years to get out of here. when i did, i always ended up coming back. theres something about ohio that never leaves you.

welcome to the thread.

 

[Tony812430]

Hi. Does anyone know where I can find some midget white turkeys or bourbon reds in ne ohio?

 

[Inkheart]

I have some young teenage bantam rocks and some rock Gabrielle crosses that need a good home. Will take to auction but would love them go to a good home. Great personalities. The are pure bantam rock bot colors are mixed on some. Rooster is pure silver pencilled. Let me know!

 

[OHhappychicks]

Well I just turned 58 less than a week ago, left Cincinnati when I was 19 for navy lived on a destroyer for long time met my wife in bath Maine we got in July 1975. Moved back to Ohio up near Findlay, Forrest, Kenton area way back raised 2 kids there and finally we moved to Florida about 6 years ago. And my wife thinks of herself as a buckeye even though she is from Maine but having birthed 2 children there, went to nursing school worked as RN, & just spent 40 years there and all that stuff I guess she is a buckeye

and to the Ohio thread!

 

[loveourbirds]

ive been working on an article, and would like you guys to let me know how to improve it..... i need to find some more pictures and information for autosexing breeds, so PM me if you have pictures i can use.

thanks in advance for any comments and information.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...beginners-what-they-are-and-how-to-breed-them

 

[minihorse927]

ive been working on an article, and would like you guys to let me know how to improve it..... i need to find some more pictures and information for autosexing breeds, so PM me if you have pictures i can use.

thanks in advance for any comments and information.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...beginners-what-they-are-and-how-to-breed-them

I can try to get you pictures of my rhodebars and my CCL's. They're young, couple months old, but figure they will help. I've got pictures of the day old CCL pair.

 

[loveourbirds]

thanks for the pics! they were a great help. i hate using pics without permission, and most of these are breeds if i do have, i havent taken pictures of.