***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[bardies]

What kind of incubator do you have? I haven't tried hatching any of the Spitz eggs but pretty much every egg from my own chickens that I put in my Brinsea hatches. I do dry hatches and keep the humidity in the 30’s, then at lockdown jack it up to the 80's. My 4 Cochin/Orloff that hatched supposedly 4 days late recently were put in after the others-I know that now.
My in-laws live in Honobia, I remember Clayton well! It's gorgeous down there this time of year :-0

I incubate in an older GQF (GCF?), near the 30's for humidity...then move them to a homemade wooden (much smaller) incubator to hatch. I didn't make it, but it sold at the Newcastle auction earlier this year - a smaller red one. Anyway, I didn't have the humidity that high - in the mid to upper 60s. I think I could boost it a bit more to mid to lower 70s if that might help.

 

[Ksane]

I incubate in an older GQF (GCF?), near the 30's for humidity...then move them to a homemade wooden (much smaller) incubator to hatch. I didn't make it, but it sold at the Newcastle auction earlier this year - a smaller red one. Anyway, I didn't have the humidity that high - in the mid to upper 60s. I think I could boost it a bit more to mid to lower 70s if that might help.

I suspect it's moving them that messes things up. I have an idea though....you can borrow my 10-egg Brinsea and try a hatch with your own eggs. You're supposed to turn them manually 3 times a day with it but lots of times I'd only remember once or twice a day. I keep one side of the water well filled the 1st 18 days. Then the last 3 days during lockdown I keep both sides filled and keep this big sponge soaked down with water, there's condensation on the insides, that's how humid it is. I don't even check temps or humidity in it anymore, just leave the temp set where it is and put the incubator inside the house. I use one of those bright LED flashlights to candle eggs and I can see veins as soon as the 2nd day most times. Pretty much every egg (of my own eggs, not shipped) that I've put in there has hatched. Maybe 1 out of 20 won't hatch. If you want to try that I'll bring it to Newcastle Sat night. If you want me to bring some eggs from here I can do that, too, but most will be mixes.
That way you'll at least know if it's the incubator or not.

 

[Kassaundra]

Dealing with your farther has got to be even more frustrating than GE...at least with them, you can understand the confusion and now work through it. Other folks though....

You have no idea how true that really is!

 

[NanaKat]

Took time this morning t edit some photos....

Birds our free-ranging and congregating around the equipment...




Some of the new Bantam Delawares that hatched last week...they are out with a hen now...looking like little marshmallows.


A few of the 8 month old cockerels ready for freezer camp...


And ...a little bit of fall colors after the rain...

 

[shelbydog]

Kass or Coral,

The fermented grains seem to be going well. It has sourdough bread smell. On the second day I actually wanted to put some in a bowl and pour milk on b/c it has such a sweet and yummy smell. I need to see if this would be good for the horses. I'm sure it is. But......now I'm not sure why I'm using a 2 bucket system. I have to leave the grains in the water 24/7, right? Is the 2 bucket idea is so you can take the inner bucket out to where the chickens are and scoop feed out??? B/c I just been scooping right out the bucket into another container to take outside. I feel like I drilled holes in this bucket for nothing. In a day or 2 I need to put new grain in to start it cooking. I need to find something sturdy to stir with so I can get the new grains stirred into the bottom.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Hey, KSANE, I see you are on...

The spitz chick is now dryish, but still on its back. How many hours might it take for a chick to straighten out and walk about - if it is going to?

Get some baby vitamins at the drug store (like Poly-vi-sol) and give him one or two drops tonight and again the morning. Sometimes chicks that can't walk just have a vitamin deficiency- I find this is especially true if they sit on their butt and "spin" in a circle while kicking their legs.

Kass or Coral,

The fermented grains seem to be going well. It has sourdough bread smell. On the second day I actually wanted to put some in a bowl and pour milk on b/c it has such a sweet and yummy smell. I need to see if this would be good for the horses. I'm sure it is. But......now I'm not sure why I'm using a 2 bucket system. I have to leave the grains in the water 24/7, right? Is the 2 bucket idea is so you can take the inner bucket out to where the chickens are and scoop feed out??? B/c I just been scooping right out the bucket into another container to take outside. I feel like I drilled holes in this bucket for nothing. In a day or 2 I need to put new grain in to start it cooking. I need to find something sturdy to stir with so I can get the new grains stirred into the bottom.

Thanks for the follow up! Once I finish with this move I want to try it so bad!

 

[Kassaundra]

Kass or Coral,

The fermented grains seem to be going well. It has sourdough bread smell. On the second day I actually wanted to put some in a bowl and pour milk on b/c it has such a sweet and yummy smell. I need to see if this would be good for the horses. I'm sure it is. But......now I'm not sure why I'm using a 2 bucket system. I have to leave the grains in the water 24/7, right? Is the 2 bucket idea is so you can take the inner bucket out to where the chickens are and scoop feed out??? B/c I just been scooping right out the bucket into another container to take outside. I feel like I drilled holes in this bucket for nothing. In a day or 2 I need to put new grain in to start it cooking. I need to find something sturdy to stir with so I can get the new grains stirred into the bottom.

I have never done the two bucket w/holes method, so can't speak to that. Yes it is good for horses, but may need gradual intro so not to upset thier digestion. Put the new grains and water in the bucket then pour the old grains w/ liquid over top (no stirring ), or stir w/ a shovel.

 

[cathiesue]

Happy Half Price Candy Eve to everyone!

 

[shelbydog]

I have never done the two bucket w/holes method, so can't speak to that.  Yes it is good for horses, but may need gradual  intro so not to upset thier digestion.  Put the new grains and water in the bucket then pour the old grains w/ liquid over top (no stirring ), or stir w/ a shovel.

I think I read the 2 bucket method on of beekissed's posts. I just reread the post on why she drilled holes in the bucket and since I'm not using it as the serving bucket there was no need for me to drill holes into it. Oh well.

Rinda, it's a super easy process and not time consuming at all. I'm glad I'm finally doing it.

 

[Kyzmette]

Mjgigax you have beautiful chookies! Even your freezer camp boys. Poor boys.