Our introduction to keeping chickens, the high's, the lows and pics of our journey.

[Bens-Hens]

I don't know enough about either breed to stab at that age, maybe in another week or two I might have a go..

I saw Lindz thread in the breed and gender forum, but also said there that I would just wait and learn from others on these ones. I have read up on the Wheaten's, but not the blacks.

CB, from my reading, funnily enough I found the Aussie's would most likely be the breed to take the longest to be sure of (pending the mixes we get too)

I will be sure to photo bomb this thread when the time comes

 

[Wrightsx4]

My wheatens were easy to distinguish male from female, as soon as those first feathers started coming in. My male looked like he was wearing a little black vest, thus the name Sylvester.

 

[EverMystique1]

I posted this on the Michigan thread, so Nova, this will be duplicated for yoy, but I am too excited not to share. Not chicken talk, but oh well. The Kindle edition of my 1st book was available as a free download for 5 days, and had 404 takers across 9 countries. Pretty awesome response for a title that has been available for 7 years already. Now, to finish some of the house so that I have time to write those last few chapters of the next book.

 

[Bens-Hens]

I posted this on the Michigan thread, so Nova, this will be duplicated for yoy, but I am too excited not to share. Not chicken talk, but oh well. The Kindle edition of my 1st book was available as a free download for 5 days, and had 404 takers across 9 countries. Pretty awesome response for a title that has been available for 7 years already. Now, to finish some of the house so that I have time to write those last few chapters of the next book.

Very cool!

Keen to know more, I love a good read.

Congratulations. I wrote a diary/journal while in Afghanistan, a couple of friends have read it and said I should work on it for publishing. I never made it for that though, it was for my wife and kids someday.

I spent the day in the yard, planted a new grape vine and then spent a heap of effort to chicken proof it hahahaha.

 

[EverMystique1]

Very cool!

Keen to know more, I love a good read.

Congratulations. I wrote a diary/journal while in Afghanistan, a couple of friends have read it and said I should work on it for publishing. I never made it for that though, it was for my wife and kids someday.

I spent the day in the yard, planted a new grape vine and then spent a heap of effort to chicken proof it hahahaha.

Thanks, Ben. I write erotica, and this title is the tamest piece I have. It is called JADED, and I write under the name Elura Coren (because my MIL would have a heart attack if her last name were associated with such writings). It is, however, only available through Amazon. I plan to have another free download promo shortly before the release of my next title, BECAUSE THE NIGHT, a very (VERY) graphic vampire erotica.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Sound intriguing! I not long ago finished Anne Rice's full series, I don't mind a bit of either style of writing although I never read 50 Shades. My wife did, had the desired effect Bwhahahahahaha.

Congratulations, a big effort I am sure. You just never know who you could be talking to! I will have a poke about and see what I can find.

For us, no great big new news. I got tired of hand turning 47, well not really tired of it, well not really tired of it, just tired of stressing over how long it took the 'bator to come back up to temp after taking so long to turn.

So, I instigated my Plan B. Egg cartons. I really hope it does the job....a few buck worth of eggs in there. I cut the lids off and use those to prop up one side of the tray. Each turn I just lift the tray and swap it with another one. Different heat range, different angle. Hopefully it all evens out. Will candle tonight and see how things are looking.


Also, for anyone who is bored and keen to try their hand and naming breeds. We visited another family today and they were not certain on the breeds they had bought. Follow the link and kick in some idea's if you so desire!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/828365/mind-having-a-guess-at-these-6-pullet-breeds

Cheers Ben

 

[CB and CG]

Hi Ben, hope fertility will be great in these eggs. Let us know how your candle goes
I replied on your other thread as well.

 

[Bens-Hens]

I saw, you were quick! Thanks a heap. That caramel one was the same cross as Latte'. We got them from the same place but the lady did not seem very exact in x's or ages.

I peeked last night at some of the lighter eggs and as an early guess Smudge was up to the task. Hope to have a better indication tonight. I will be sure to report back

 

[Bens-Hens]

Had a sneaky Day 4 Candle, was harder than I thought this early to get an accurate picture.

Early signs are looking like 35 have made a start,
14 are in the "hmmmmm" basket with only a couple of those in the 'nothing doin' column.

Will be able to be more positive on those results in a couple of days.

Overall, looks like the bought eggs have the best results, Smudge did his job with the Araucana's, but seemed to have struggled over the big fluffy RIR and LS's Did well with Luna (BA) and about 50% with Curly (BV) so we are still on track at this point towards a dark green egger.

Couple more days and we should be able to make out some better detail and be more sure how many are developing.

 

[Wrightsx4]

You know how I am during incubating so you know I have to ask this......
Your eggs in the "nothing doin" and "hmmmm" categories, are they near each other in the incubator? I'm curious because in my DIY (with fan) I have warmer and cooler temps, but within a degree. The cooler corner didn't show development until several days after the warmer corner. They also hatched last, even though I moved them around during week two to catch up. (Yes, not only did I record temperature mapping in every egg location using a thermo probe through the vents, I also kept track of where each egg spent time...lol...I know how tedious that sounds!)