Last year my hatcher wouldn't hold a good temp so DH helped me put a multi turn thermostat in it and now it h=is right on temp. to the 10th of a degree. I had 52 eggs, My first batch, ready to go from the incubator so I candled them and 38 went into lockdown. Of the 24 Cowetta Orpington eggs I bought 18 were growing. My Blue Copper Marans were all growing and most of my Ameraucana pullet eggs were too. The Ameraucanas were bred by my Marans roo so they should be Olive Eggers. The one Olive Egger hen that I have is such a good layer I want more. My first two Chocolate Orpington eggs also made in into the hatcher!
Thank goodness the hatcher has a window in the front. I am such a "pot watcher"!
Today all 6 of my Blue Copper Marans hen/pullets layed, 3 of 5 Chocolate orpingtons layed and I got 2 Mille Fleur Cochin eggs too. They must know tomorrow is my birthday. I love those girls.
Jack, (neighbor) called me while I was heading home today. My yearling ewe, Josephine, (part of his flock of Dorper sheep flock,) had delivered a tiny lamb and didn't know what to do. The poor little lamb, only the size of our tomcat was standing across the pasture still covered in afterbirth and very hungry. DH and I roped Josephine and I showed the little ram how to nurse. This was my first experience milking sheep. He got to nursing on his own while Josephine was tied up away from the flock so he got some good colostrum but she didn't accept him. A neighbor with a big flock of Dorpers took the little guy and he will get fat and spoiled there. We were surprised that Josephine was even pregnant. She isn't a year old yet and not completely grown. Next year she should know what to do.