Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[LadyBehir]

It is peeping so I guess that is a good sign.

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

My sister wiped herself poison ivy. :-D

I know someone else who did that, how terrible!

It is peeping so I guess that is a good sign.

Best of luck, sounds positive!

 

[LadyBehir]

Still wiggling. Flipped over. This is driving me nuts.

 

[chiques chicks]

Still wiggling. Flipped over. This is driving me nuts.

If this is a broody hatch, she'll take care of it.

 

[LadyBehir]

Yes it is. Thanks for being patient with me.

 

[chiques chicks]

Yes it is. Thanks for being patient with me.

Mamas have a way of knowing when a chick needs help. By the same token, they know when I chick is "off". They will abandon sick or deformed chicks. It's hard to watch.

I rarely intervene with broodies or the incubator. My hatch rate diminishes, but I rarely have chicks die. Just my choice.

 

[dheltzel]

Mamas have a way of knowing when a chick needs help. By the same token, they know when I chick is "off". They will abandon sick or deformed chicks. It's hard to watch.

I rarely intervene with broodies or the incubator. My hatch rate diminishes, but I rarely have chicks die. Just my choice.

I help at least 1 or 2 chicks out every week. They almost always do fine. The late hatchers in particular seem to need help and might be weaker chicks overall, but it doesn't seem to be a long term problem, after a few days I defy anyone to determine which ones hatched late or needed assistance.

 

[Blarneyeggs]

While this discussion is running, what do you think of clear roofing panels, like this:

We were considering covering all or part of our run with it.  Good idea or no?  I'm not sure how to attach hardware cloth to it.

Our coop has that type of roofing... The sides of the coop are made from pallets covered with hardware cloth so plenty of ventilation in the summer. We put panels of siding over the sides in the winter to seal up sides (leaving the top open for ventilation), I like that the clear roof lets lots of sun in during the day in the winter. It has held up just fine for us this winter. I did buy the little wavy plastic strips to put between the roofing panel and the roof trusses (or whatever the strips of wood are called that you secure the roof to). I also made sure the roof had a good angle so the snow doesn't build up too much. I should have angled the roof so it was south facing for better snow melt, but I didn't think of that until it was too late. The turkeys are roosting up there on the edge of the roof now and still haven't had any cracking or breaking. I know it won't last a decade, but it should last a few seasons and I like the benefits of a clear roof.

I have to say, I never get tired of looking at this coop. VERY good job. And it's probably a good thing that the roof isn't more south facing, helps keep it cooler in the summer.

 

[chiques chicks]

I help at least 1 or 2 chicks out every week. They almost always do fine. The late hatchers in particular seem to need help and might be weaker chicks overall, but it doesn't seem to be a long term problem, after a few days I defy anyone to determine which ones hatched late or needed assistance.

Which is why I said, it's what works for me. Want a bunch of chicks with crooked toes? Every Swedish flower that I've hatched that needed help was defective. Over the years. Your experience may be different. Congratulations.

I'll shut up now.

 

[LadyBehir]

I did cave a bit and moistened the shell/membrane because it just seemed like it was not getting anywhere. Wiggled it loose but not out and stuck it under Niko for the night. We'll see how it works in the morning.