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

[Wrightsx4]

Hey Nova! How's your little marans chick doing? Mr Sprinkles is at his worst right now - his girls plucked his tail - the whole thing! I remember you saying that happened to Florus' beard. I caught them doing it - while he just stood there. Poor henpecked husband I guess. He's such a good boy it's ridiculous, and here I grew up afraid of RIR roos and swore I'd never have one. Wouldn't have either except I thought he was a pullet and the friendliest chicken we had. Every chick he's fathered is just as friendly.

 

[lindz8504]

I got 2 eggs from the new candy bar girls (the EE's) today. They were both a pale blue/green.

Things are not going so well on chick adoption #2. I put the chicks with Clarabelle last night after dark and she was fine. This morning was a whole different story! She pecked and tormented them into the corner and actually drew blood on the smallest chick. So now they are in a dog crate with a light, still in coop so they can see each other but can't get to each other. I hope we can try again in a few days when the chick is all healed up.
Anyway... here are the pictures of the babies!

Chick #1 is the smallest. Probably only 2-3 weeks old.


Chick #2 about a week younger than the first ones I got.

Chick #3 is also about a week behind the first ones I got.

 

[Wrightsx4]

Cute! I bet they're all girls too - but I'm definitely wrong from time to time

 

[Bens-Hens]

Cool!

Integration, a slow and weary experience, especially when you have laid out money for them. Take it slow and they will get there in the end. We tried to make sure they had lots of space and places to get away (ground level and in upper levels) Sometimes you have to let them sort their order, but stop it if there is blood shed.

Day 16, we have dragged the hatcher out, will crank it up tonight or tomorrow to get it settled into temp. I forgot to answer CB's question about hatching humidity. We have always aimed for 70-80% for the last three days. Probably around 70% this time.

 

[ozexpat]

Cool!

Integration, a slow and weary experience, especially when you have laid out money for them. Take it slow and they will get there in the end. We tried to make sure they had lots of space and places to get away (ground level and in upper levels) Sometimes you have to let them sort their order, but stop it if there is blood shed.

Day 16, we have dragged the hatcher out, will crank it up tonight or tomorrow to get it settled into temp. I forgot to answer CB's question about hatching humidity. We have always aimed for 70-80% for the last three days. Probably around 70% this time.

day 16 already??

it just feel like you set them only a fortnight ago

 

[Fancychooklady]

day 16 already??

it just feel like you set them only a fortnight ago

You can imagine my surprise when I went out last night to candle coro eggs and 2 were peeping

. My how time gets away from you.

 

[ozexpat]

You can imagine my surprise when I went out last night to candle coro eggs and 2 were peeping

. My how time gets away from you.

or when you hear them chirping on the turner

 

[Bens-Hens]

I don't see e loosing track of that much time anytime soon hahahaha.

Evening of Day 16, fired up the Hovabator Hatcher, fine tune tomorrow (Day 17) before moving the eggs over Day 18.

Can't wait to get a sore neck peering in the windows.

 

[Farmer Viola]

Hi Ben,
I was wondering if you have a decent online resource for how to home vaccinate chicks?

Specifically, is it possible to use a spray method at home, or is a syringe always required?

This is the site I found:
http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/5-3/how_to_vaccinate_poultry_chicks_for_mareks_disease/

Would you happen to have any others?

 

[Bens-Hens]

Hi Viola,

I did post a few link back some pages that I have found to be good sources of info, but nothing really as an 'online' how to.

We have not looked into any spray methods, as we just don't turn over enough birds to warrant it. Most of what I had read said it should be injected (I know there are some places that spray while the chicks are on a conveyor).

Injection does have some options, if you are turning over a considerable amount of birds, you could look at a gun http://www.bellsouth.com.au/health/vaccines.asp to make life easier for more birds. The other options are a needle in the neck, pointing away from the bird (towards the body) Just lift the skin away from the neck so it forms a little 'v' shape and inject under the skin, not into the muscle.

I know a lady who does not like that way and she injects it into the foot as there is less chance of something going wrong. I have not found a link just yet.

There is also in 'in ovum' method that seems to be used in the commercial industry, Oz has also adopted this method (without vaccination I think) to assist in his hatch rates. Basically, a hole is made in the air cell around Day 18-19 and the vaccination is administered while in the shell.

I could post the info I have about the vaccine we use. I was sent a page of info from the supplier, I typed it out as it was a bad photo copy, but happy to share it. Sorry I could not be of more help.

and just in case anyone wanted the answer.....