Opa's place -Where an old rooster visits with friends

[Opa]

Well my lovely lass, I was starting to think that I was going to have to send you a broody. How many days did it actually take before chicks started hatching? Sure seemed like much longer than it should have been.

 

[Highlander]

the first one hatched halfway through day 23. I lent out my spot check thermometer as I didn't think I would need it with this incubator but I am going to try and get it back today to see what the temps read as everything points to low temps. It's very strange though as the last hatch went like clockwork.

 

[Opa]

It soounds like low temps to me as well. After the eggs have hatched or not, rather than doing another test hatch, fill several small balloons with water as egg substitutes. You will then have a thermal mass comparable to eggs. It's much easier to throw away the balloons then eggs.

 

[Highlander]

good idea, the kids have some water balloons I can use. Thanks.

 

[Opa]

Friday sure was a reminder of where the mind set of too many people is at. I have an employee who is a single father. Since school started we have rearranged our work schedule starting time to accomodate his need to get his son on the school bus or have allowed him to go directly to the job site as soon as possible. Most days it is 10am before he actually gets to work. He also needs to leave the job site early enough to meet the bus after school. Additionally, many days he has needed to take time off work to accompany his parents when they go up north to their cottage. As a result he never gets a 40 hour week.
Yesterday, when David paid him for last week, he only had a check for 16 hours. When looking at the total he asked "just how am I supposed to pay my house payment with this small paycheck"? He seemed to think he was due a full check just because we have about 6 weeks worth of jobs scheduled.
One Thursday David and I had to meet with the customers of the old Sears house project. Both of our employees were supposed to go to the current job and work. Late afternoon we find out that they hadn't because the griper didn't want to use his gas to go to the job site. As a result they both lost a full days pay. How can you complain about the result of your own choices.

 

[NotAFarm]

Highlander, Congrats on the new chicks and

that the rest hatch without problems.

Opa, The attitude of some people is near unbelievable...........I say near because nowadays nothing surprises me. Have a safe trip with Granny and great visit with all the family next week.

mamag, I plan some outdoor garden cleaning and chicken/duck watching for my weekend. I hope you enjoy yours as well.

ranchie, I don't know why you put up with your "family" talking about you like that!!!

PK, How's the new school year going for ya?

Later, Mary

 

[ranchhand]

Anyone wants me, try [email protected] or as Tiger Baldwin on FB.

I am very tired of the teens/tweens running BYC.

I need a break.

PK, you are NOT included in that group! I wish more of the young'uns were like you!

 

[Highlander]

Quote:

 

[Highlander]

Well I finally have some pics to show you. I must admit that the issues that I have had with this hatch have really taken the shine off of what I was hoping to be a really exciting start to my new chicken project. I feel drained and disappointed. But anyway here they are:

Lemon Cuckoo - I have 2 of these. They are very big chicks

Chocolate (bantam). I have 1 of these in the brooder and another still thinking about hatching in the bator.

Blue Partridge - 2 of these hatched

So if the wee guy currently still in the bator makes it I will have ended up with 2 of each colour, which, taking everything into consideration, is a flaming miracle.

 

[Opa]

Thistle, my highland flower, how many eggs did you start with? The chicks are beautiful and I will look forward to additional pictures as they mature. I sure wish we could get the chocolate colored birds here as they would make a wonderful addition to my poultry palette.

Yesterday I picked two five gallon pails full of red, yellow and orange sweet bell peppers. I doubt that they would have lasted until I return from the south. I need to get them seeded, chopped, and flash frozen this morning. Hope likes having them on hand to add to many different dishes.

I've got the truck partially loaded and need to finish this afternoon. Since Hope must get up at 4am for work I think Granny and I will leave at the same time. The first leg of the trip is 522 miles and the map programs state that it should take 7 1/2 hours but they don't factor Granny into the equation. I think I'll be lucky to make it in 10 hours.

After being convinced that my dog Daisy was on her way out recently, it is amazing how active she has become. I think she realized that I was considering having her put down. I do plan on taking her with me and having a vet in Missouri check her out. A couple of years ago she needed some dental work. The vet that I have used for years gave me an estimate of $450-650 depending upon how bad her teeth were. Joe arranged a frequent flyer ticket for me and I paid $130 round trip for the dog. The vet in Missouri charged me $67 for the same procedure. So for less than half the money I got my dog taken care of and enjoyed a ten day visit with my granddaughter.