**~~>>Second Annual Cinco de Mayo Turkey Hatchathon<<~~**all poultry welcome!

[karimw]

I have a hard time with the idea of killing fox, but I used to think that about racoons too until they slaughtered all my broody turkeys a couple years ago. Unfortunately I haven't the skill to shoot a fox. They would come in broad daylight and by the time I got to the door they would be gone. The horses would keep them out of the pasture, but they were only on duty part of the time and the foxes learned to approach the coop on the opposite side from where the horses were. The only time I had a decent shot I been waiting in the coop for about an hour. The horses got involved so I couldn't fire or risk hitting them. Ah well. If it wasn't for them I would have lost a lot more.

 

[HEChicken]

So when is everyone planning on starting to collect eggs for the hatchathon? Has anyone started collecting yet? I was thinking of starting to collect this weekend.

I've started collecting. I only have 1 turkey hen and she only lays every other day so I'm not going to have a ton of eggs. I set the first 4 already because I thought if I waited for the 7th, they would be too old, and I wanted to check fertility (I candled one yesterday on day 4 and it looks like it is developing - yay!) So I am now saving up the rest of the eggs for the hatchathon. The oldest eggs will be almost 2 weeks old when I set but I decided to take a chance on them since at this rate I will still only have 7 eggs to set on the 7th.

I have a hard time with the idea of killing fox, but I used to think that about racoons too until they slaughtered all my broody turkeys a couple years ago.

Yup. After losing 16 birds (at the time 1/3 of my flock) in 24 hours, I did NOT have a hard time shooting the fox last year. If he would have just stuck to the rabbits (which are also plentiful around here....)

 

[debs_flock]

So when is everyone planning on starting to collect eggs for the hatchathon? Has anyone started collecting yet? I was thinking of starting to collect this weekend.

I set five eggs last Saturday and then started collecting on Sunday. I've been getting two eggs per day, so have eight already. I've read that turkey eggs can be saved up to three weeks, so my oldest eggs for the hatchalong will be two weeks old. I'll be in trouble if more girls start to lay, I've got seven hens

Then add in a few tutors...........

 

[HEChicken]

I set five eggs last Saturday and then started collecting on Sunday. I've been getting two eggs per day, so have eight already. I've read that turkey eggs can be saved up to three weeks, so my oldest eggs for the hatchalong will be two weeks old. I'll be in trouble if more girls start to lay, I've got seven hens

Then add in a few tutors...........

Have you candled your eggs yet debs_flock? I candled one egg yesterday (set the same day as you) and was pleased to see development. Now I know my tom is doing his thing

 

[karimw]

I've had good luck hatching old eggs of my own. I only have 1 slate laying right now, every 3 days. I did find a couple on the floor under the roosts this morning though, so the others are should be coming along any day now.

 

[Lotsapaints]

I'm saving eggs for Jim right now as it looks like I should mail them Saturday so they can settle I have some now in the incubator they look good. I had to laugh I haven't been marking them I set all the eggs I had sitting around last week forgot that a bunch of them were from a hen who wanders around outside so unless a rooster loves her they should be clear..LOL darn they were all her eggs that were clear. As for how long you can save them I've set them as old as a month had them hatch...my chicken eggs hatch when they are a month old too keep them cool and turn them once in a while they're good to go.

 

[JD4570]

Hi, yourself! You are another one that was wise to come along peacefully. You were not going to get off easy if you refused to cooperate. Welcome aboard!

Like I had a choice?



She'd just handcufff me and drag me along.

 

[yinepu]

Quote:
I had a choice.. no room in the bator and broody turkey hen!

I'm just here to take up space ...

 

[tazcat70]

I'm in!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I'm in!

I missed you!