***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[TaraBellaBirds]

Had to share my little EE chick

Miss Scarlet!!!


Noodles (pretty sure he is a cuckoo maran)

 

[CayuseRanch]

For those asking about the newcastle auction. There was a conflict in the building on the first of March this month so they are only having one on the 15th of March (next saturday). I think April it will be back to 2 a month, the first and third saturday.

Speaking of which, at the last auction in newcastle I bought 12 welsummer hatching eggs. (As the carton was labeled) Well they must have all their chickens together and just put the eggs that match that description up for sale because of these chicks, only 1 is a welsummer. 4 of them have feathered feet in various colors of brown, black and white (!). The white one is huge and actually reminds me of a meaty as he carries all his weight in his bum, but maybe he is a cochin mix...not sure, then I have two other ones that are just regular looking chicks of solid reddish and grayish blue. That is so frustrating to me when people mis - advertise their eggs. It is not the fault of the auction house, I think Newcastle is a GREAT auction, but am definately angry at that seller.

@NanaKat thanks for mentioning that it is coyote breeding season. I hear them often but in 10 years have only seen one on my property once. But I think to just be safe I will take along my "mrs smith". Mostly for my dogs protection, as they are not as well behaved as your red, and I don't think they would stay with me if a coyote was on the property. But all three of my dogs are scared of gun fire. A round fired will send them back to my front porch lick spittle quick.

 

[krazykat0373]

 
It looks like ten to fifteen days development.  The egg is too porous.  That may be part of the problem.  I candle eggs before setting them to check for cracks and porous shells.  I may be wrong in this assumption (I have not read this anywhere), so don't quote me, but I've assumed porous eggs may let bacteria in, which could damage the embryo.  If anybody knows the science behind this, please chime in.  If I'm wrong, and porous eggs are normal and should be set, please post.  I wish I had more time to do research.  

It is a good idea to check for this but is often due to lower calcium levels. The more porous eggs will allow bacteria to more readily penetrate, however all eggs allow this. You can set and hatch these with great success and improve the hatch rates with your other eggs by spraying an Oxine / water mixture at the time you collect the eggs, then again before you set them. The oxine is non-toxic but is known to kill bacteria, virus, fungus, and mold spores. It is the only approved topical treatment for eating or hatching eggs. I saw our hatch rate increase drastically when we began using it this way several years ago.

I have been told to put cod liver oil in their feed if you are getting porous shells.

 

[greenbeetle]

What a beautiful day, hope everyone has a chance to get out and enjoy it.

 

[Cjarvis]

I have been told to put cod liver oil in their feed if you are getting porous shells.

Cod liver oil and wheat germ oil both are very beneficial to the embryo, it increases the fat content of the egg yolk, improves vitamin and mineral content, and dramatically improves hatchability and chick survivability. I use it with my older breeder hens as some of them are over 6yrs and vitality of the chicks can decrease considerably with older breeder birds.
I do not know that it will improve the shell, but will allow the embryo to be stronger and more tolerant of problems.

 

[Kassaundra]

Got one of my seed orders in yesterday, and even though I ordered seeds, I'm not sure but they sent me crack! lol lol lol

 

[Poco Pollo]

Got one of my seed orders in yesterday, and even though I ordered seeds, I'm not sure but they sent me crack! lol lol lol

When I am old, I shall grow purple.... no, no... When I am old I shall wear purple. But since you are young, you will grow an entire color wheel of eye candy. I need to make garden plans.

 

[Kassaundra]

When I am old, I shall grow purple.... no, no... When I am old I shall wear purple. But since you are young, you will grow an entire color wheel of eye candy. I need to make garden plans.

I try and mix vining showy non yellow flowers w/ my cukes and melons to hopefully distract the cucumber beetle, since they are attracted to yellow. I have been looking for these old fashioned vining petunias, they are suppose to smell awesome too. Anyway they must be rare as hen's teeth since they sent me 10 sand grain sized seeds! lol I want to know whose job it is to count them out???

 

[Kassaundra]

@Poco Pollo , I have a new table set up I'm excited to see if it works out next Sund. inexpensive, lightweight, portable, very repeatable for others (common easy to get stuff) if it works out. And it will keep my mind off hatch day.

 

[Kyzmette]

@Kassaundra flowers, much like chickens, ARE crack! Every year I'm asking myself "OMG now where am I gonna put THIS bulb/rhizome/bush/tree?!?!"

Won't happen with the irises... they will go EVERYWHERE!!!