Poultry Raising Endeavors of 2019

[MagpieDucks]

Hey! I'm starting this thread to document my brooding and raising of chicks for the year. Feel free to join in for the ride! Lots of pictures will be included.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

 

[Cyprus]

I'm here to watch and join

 

[MagpieDucks]

To start things off:

I have an order of 9 chicks coming from Meyer Hatchery that ship on March 18th.
2 Salmon Faverolles
-Mango
-Peaches
2 Welsummers
-Mabel
-Loretta
2 Easter Eggers
-Pistachio
-Kiwi
1 Meyer Meal Maker
-Puzzle

Can't wait!

 

[MagpieDucks]

And then there's my trio of Black Orpington Bantams stationed in the garage. One of the pullets just started laying last Monday, and so far has been laying fairly consistently. The main challenge is trying to collect the eggs before they freeze.
I don't think any of her eggs are fertile yet, but I'm going to toss a few of them in the 'bator to double check. The cockerel I have, is actually being borrowed, so once I get some chicks hatched out I'll have to give him back.
Pictures of Heinrich, Gertrude, and Lucy coming in a bit.

 

[MagpieDucks]

 

[MagpieDucks]

In the meantime, I'm looking for a cheaper incubator to use as a 'hatcher' for different staggered hatches. Since I only have the 2 pullets I'm trying to decide if I need one. I'm probably only keeping 2-4 pullets from these chicks at the most, so it kind of depends on fertility. Hopefully I'll be able to do it in 1 batch, + a smaller batch to test fertility.

 

[BY Bob]

I love pictures. I can't wait to follow along.

 

[Cyprus]

You could make a Styrofoam incubator. By far the most effective and cheapest 'bator I've ever had. About $27 total.

 

[Cyprus]

You could make a Styrofoam incubator. By far the most effective and cheapest 'bator I've ever had. About $27 total.

And I did a 3 species, 16 egg staggered hatch with all but one egg hatching.