Setting up the bator and setting shipped eggs this week....anyone else wanna join?

[chickenlickin8]

My roo is a jRhode Island Red ( hatchery, not heritage). Hamlet's very handsome; to me anyway I'm sure he's just run of the mill, but he's spiffy in my eyes beautiful green tail feathers.
He likes to do a tap dance whenever I enter the coop. I have explained to him (a number of times now) that I am already taken and have no intention of submitting to his cocky overtures. I expect more than a dried up mealworm as an enticement anyway, thank you very much!
Men, they're all alike...
Af far as the ff, I only added the ACV the very first time. Should I continue adding it? It still smells sour ish. Hmmm. It still makes bubbles after I add new feed and let it sit for a while. I'm thinking that means my ACV is still active. I bet we could add yeast too. Maybe nutritional yeast?
Any opinions?

Tomorrow is day 14, candling first thing!
Good night!

Your roo sounds beautiful! He's a real flirt....LOL! RIR roos are very pretty and I love the hens too. RIR are one of my favorite breeds but I didn't hatch out any this time. I wanted to switch it up with different breeds I had never had. I ended up with a Silver Gray Dorking pullet. The breed looks pretty and they have 5 toes. Can't wait to see her eggs. I read they are white-ish. She is a mix of Dorking and Ameraucana. She has a muff...so cute but looks just like a Dorking otherwise. Here she is....so sweet too...very calm. I know, her comb is huge for 4 weeks but it's a pullet for sure. My leghorn pullets always huge combs too at 4 weeks. Must be the same for Dorkings...my SLW pullets always had big combs young too.





Not sure about the FF mixture. Mine smells a little sour too. Not many bubbles...maybe I need to add more ACV. I think when we add more food and water, we have to add more ACV too.The yeast idea sounds like a good idea. Oh boy, I can see myself giving up on this soon...LOL!

Can't wait to hear how your candling goes....

Good night!

 

[adjllee]

Sorry I haven't posted the barred rock baby pics yet I have has sick kids all week will try to do it today!

 

[delisha]

You no longer need to add anymore ACV or yeast of any sort. Your FF will take all the good microbs right out of the environment. It needs fresh food and water to continue to work, nothing more. Just add the dry daily and cover with water. You can toss in fresh Oregano, chopped up hot peppers, garlic, BOSS, kale, spinach, and all kinds of things when your chicks start to grow up. I also add raw meat right on top before feeding once they are two weeks old. (usually fine ground up raw livers and organ meats from my butchered chickens)

 

[chickenlickin8]

Sorry I haven't posted the barred rock baby pics yet I have has sick kids all week will try to do it today!

Post baby pics when you can. Sick kids come first

 

[chickenlickin8]

You no longer need to add anymore ACV or yeast of any sort. Your FF will take all the good microbs right out of the environment. It needs fresh food and water to continue to work, nothing more. Just add the dry daily and cover with water. You can toss in fresh Oregano, chopped up hot peppers, garlic, BOSS, kale, spinach, and all kinds of things when your chicks start to grow up. I also add raw meat right on top before feeding once they are two weeks old. (usually fine ground up raw livers and organ meats from my butchered chickens)

Thanks Vicki for the advice on the FF. The chicks love it. I don't think I could give my chicks raw meat though .....

I would have to buy it. We eat mostly a vegetarian diet. No beef or pork ever but sometimes chicken, fish, or ground turkey.

My adult hens love a juicy lizard or roach if they find one! It's like tug-o-war when they do...LOL!

 

[fishermans wife]

Wow, fun to catch up, I am so busy with getting the garden ready, pruning, homeschooling, etc. right now, I have been enjoying our warmer weather (I know you "midwesterners" are balking at me...I get it!). I go into lockdown tonight with my Catdance babies! 18 are going into lockdown. I candled last night because I had time and all look good. I didn't see a lot of movement, but suspect it is tight quarters. With the incubator troubles last week I don't know what to expect, but I will just hope for the best and enjoy the ride. The incubator stabilized and has stayed rock solid since the one bad day.

Nice to see so many trying the FF. Mine have finally quit gorging themselves, and have slowed down - which is good! The girls look great and their eggs are definitely bigger!

Have a great day!

 

[fishermans wife]

Well, back to ears against the bator

!

 

[Gallina Sarda]

Well, back to ears against the bator  !

 

Good luck! Will keep good hatching thoughts comin' your way

 

[Gallina Sarda]

You no longer need to add anymore ACV or yeast of any sort. Your FF will take all the good microbs right out of the environment. It needs fresh food and water to continue to work, nothing  more. Just add the dry daily and cover with water. You can toss in fresh Oregano, chopped up hot peppers, garlic, BOSS, kale, spinach,  and all kinds of things when your chicks start to grow up. I also add raw meat right on top before feeding once they are two weeks old. (usually fine ground up raw livers and organ meats from my butchered chickens)

 

Nice! Thanks for the info. I have been wondering about adding veggies directly to fermenting bucket vs. just piling it on top before feeding - good to know!

Day fourteen yesterday. Still had 5 clear. Chucked them.
Remaining 13 still look good! Lockdown on Thursday!

 

[chickenlickin8]

Well, back to ears against the bator

!

How exciting....you are on PIP watch!!! Keep us posted!