Pheonix Thread

[flowerfaeiry]

Truth!! The more you hatch, the more likely you are to see something you like!

I feel you, I'd say don't stop so long as you can physically keep going! I'm 21 and plan on having these birds in my 80's (and hopefully I'll have made some improvements along the way!).

Hahaha you say that now! Wait until you’ve worked your butt off for the next 40 years and see if you still feel like carrying 50lb bags of feed. I have 12 coops right now, finally started building the auto water system, got it in 2 coops so far and it’s already a relief, watering chores are a huge part of every days chores so this is long over due. Every time I empty a few coops, I fill them right back up again! I’m telling you, there’s something about these birds, just can’t stop!

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

Thanks for the calibration info, tried to find some at TSC today... their out... was a feed run, no check starter there... I am okay as I still have some but seeing how crazy everyone has been buying every garden seed, all the soil bags, every baby chick with in 20 minutes of delivery at feedstores county wide, and baby everything (rabbits, ducks, turkeys, geese) and all beekeeping supplies, canning supplies... I thought probably should buy more feed than I normally would... I am pretty sure one of my adult EE hens was stolen even (now a lock on that gate)... anyway TSC was a bust for most of the things I was looking for. I bought some solar lights for my evening gardening, a new feed bucket, batteries and other odds and ends... I think I am going to phone order my feed tomorrow to make sure I have some next delivery date to the feedstore put aside for me. Just nuts what people are buying.

 

[Michael99]

Hahaha you say that now! Wait until you’ve worked your butt off for the next 40 years and see if you still feel like carrying 50lb bags of feed. I have 12 coops right now, finally started building the auto water system, got it in 2 coops so far and it’s already a relief, watering chores are a huge part of every days chores so this is long over due. Every time I empty a few coops, I fill them right back up again! I’m telling you, there’s something about these birds, just can’t stop!

True, I guess only time will tell, and I agree, longtails are very addictive!

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

Well the hatching of all eggs we purchased is done... here is how it breaks down.

Longtail fully developed but died in egg... 0 hatch incubator #1
Black Swedish no eggs developed... 0 hatch incubator #1
Orientals about a dozen eggs... 8 eggs developed, 3 hatched, 2 with assist but one severely underdeveloped and failed to thrive despite making progress in continued development... sort of premature hatch... 5 fully developed chicks failed to hatch. Incubator #2 but moved to #3 for lockdown.
Marans over a dozen eggs... 4 developed all 4 started to hatch but one died in process, all other eggs just yolk. Started in incubator #2 but moved to #3 for lockdown.
Ayams C. 6 eggs... 5 have hatched, 1 assisted, 1 dead egg yolk. Incubator #2 only.

The incubators are all different and we had some problems with each of them... but I think all the yolk eggs were shipping related. The Ayams were not moved or handled much this may have been a factor as well. At least the last hatch was all but one egg and solid black chicks are just cool.

We are changing alot of things adding more ways to monitor the eggs.

Next Incubator cleaning... then prepping for doing things different.

 

[Michael99]

Let us know how things turn out, incubating eggs is definitely a learning curve!

And I feel your frustration, I had a difficult time just finding waterers for my chickens because everyone is buying everything up. This coronavirus has got people panicked.

 

[flowerfaeiry]

Well the hatching of all eggs we purchased is done... here is how it breaks down.

Longtail fully developed but died in egg... 0 hatch incubator #1
Black Swedish no eggs developed... 0 hatch incubator #1
Orientals about a dozen eggs... 8 eggs developed, 3 hatched, 2 with assist but one severely underdeveloped and failed to thrive despite making progress in continued development... sort of premature hatch... 5 fully developed chicks failed to hatch. Incubator #2 but moved to #3 for lockdown.
Marans over a dozen eggs... 4 developed all 4 started to hatch but one died in process, all other eggs just yolk. Started in incubator #2 but moved to #3 for lockdown.
Ayams C. 6 eggs... 5 have hatched, 1 assisted, 1 dead egg yolk. Incubator #2 only.

The incubators are all different and we had some problems with each of them... but I think all the yolk eggs were shipping related. The Ayams were not moved or handled much this may have been a factor as well. At least the last hatch was all but one egg and solid black chicks are just cool.

We are changing alot of things adding more ways to monitor the eggs.

Next Incubator cleaning... then prepping for doing things different.

Could be high humidity days 1-18 causing fully developed chicks to not hatch. They grow too big to turn. I’ve seen that in my Bresse. No development can be from improper storage of eggs prior to setting, or simply not fertilized. Work on perfecting the temp and humidity. But at least you ended up with some chicks! Funny how when conditions fight against them, some overcome and survive. Possibly turn out to be the strongest, healthiest birds lol.

I had 2 very disappointing hatches recently from shipped eggs. I waited for years to get the nerve up to spend so much on eggs but I desperately wanted the breed. First 8 eggs arrived totally scrambled due to the worst packing I ever saw. They didn't develop. Replacements were slightly better packaged and 2 developed. One chick hatched with its brain exposed, I got skin to grow over it but the chick died before 2 weeks old. Second chick was very tiny, still very tiny and just not quite right. It can be heartbreaking dealing with these tiny lives.

 

[Ted_Harrell]

I only have phoenix bantams and they are still in the incubator. Hopefully they will make an appearance in a week or so. They are the red breasted variety...

 

[flowerfaeiry]

I only have phoenix bantams and they are still in the incubator. Hopefully they will make an appearance in a week or so. They are the red breasted variety...

I only have a pair of brown red and a few silver bantams. I’ve been trying to get them in their own pen but gardening season has taken over all my time. I just love the bantams! I really want to get their size down as I these are a bit too big. I may cross oegb in and see how that goes.

 

[Ted_Harrell]

Good luck with your crosses, this was only my second time incubating bantams and the others are sold already. At 4 weeks they looked good though...

 

[Michael99]

flowerfairy,

I know you've said in the past that your birds are from the CY Hyde line, and I was wondering if you breed them towards non molting traits or more towards the modern Phoenix standard?