She said/He said Who's right? Who's wrong? No one!

[sjturner79]

Well here is a pile of chicks then. The have a large round brooder with a small heater in it but now they are sleeping like this in the spare nest box.

13 of them in a 5 gallon drum and 2 tucked between it and the wall.

 

[RubyNala97]

I don't know if I could do an eggtopsy, I'd probably break down and cry, lol. I'm a big softie. I would probably blame myself for it and then seeing the poor little thing would just push me over the edge, lol. I know it's done to learn from your mistakes and fix any problems you have control over but I still just don't think I could do it, I admire anyone who can, lol, does that make me a cream puff? Do I need another of these ?

The first time I had eggs left over from a hatch I wanted to do eggtopsies to see what I could learn but I felt exactly like you said. But my 9 year old son was really into it and wanted to watch. The first one was really hard but it got easier with each one. Also the way I look at it, is its practice. There might come a day where a chick has pipped the egg and made no further progress and you might want to help him out. So I go into each egg, pretending it's alive and trying to gain an understanding of what's going on in there so I'm better equipped to do an assist. There's nothing wrong with not doing them, by any means! Just wanted to share a different perspective for doing them.

Send her some eggs... Send him some eggs... Really, I think SC should send some of his pures to Amy, and Amy should send some of her mixed to SC... see how well each ones do in different bators and styles... Hatchoff for the Crown... BYC, where's the next chapter of your saga???????? Shipped egg damage... I have a story about those... and yes, I fully believe there is way more damage happening than we can see or know...

Yes, I agree with all you said above. That would be a great hatch off! And I'm waiting for the last chapter too!

So my husband is the big spender of this operation. I'm tight with money and always on a budget. My motto is, "Do we really need it?" I'm also a lot of fun at parties. When we started this whole thing, he wanted to order worms in the mail for the chooks. I was very logical: "The chickens are fine without 'em. They free range for Pete's sake! These eggs are getting expensive." I was pondering this while I spent an hour or so catching crickets, grasshoppers and worms for the chicks this morning. . . Well, off to the grindhouse.

I came across someone on FB that sells worms really cheap. If you want me to look for her and send you the info, just let me know. I have been buying them at the pet store and it's way too expensive!

Whateva! I think we already established there are lots of musical preferences here. Don't smack somebody for liking someone you don't like. I thought her lyrics were quite creative!

X2. I guess if SC doesn't play then no one should!! lol

Worked on coops this weekend. Finally got the old one painted, and started building the new one. Still have to put on the roof, cut doors/windows in, and add a lid to the nest boxes. Then add the run. The current chicks use the old coop, automatic door, free-range all day long. But the new pen is for my LO's and I think I will keep them in their run all day. We're going to attach the new run to the old one, and can cut into the fence between, if I decide to let them mingle later. (My pond is just beyond the gravel driveway, between the two coops, in the first pic)

You and your husband have skills!! That would have taken me 2 weeks to build!! I build slow and make sure each nail/screw/staple goes in just right. But, seriously, they look awesome!!! You are definitely in business now!! You have to come up with a name for your "farm".

 

[lazy gardener]

I don't know if I could do an eggtopsy, I'd probably break down and cry, lol. I'm a big softie. I would probably blame myself for it and then seeing the poor little thing would just push me over the edge, lol. I know it's done to learn from your mistakes and fix any problems you have control over but I still just don't think I could do it, I admire anyone who can, lol, does that make me a cream puff? Do I need another of these

?

Dead is dead, so looking won't change that, but I thoroughly understand. I eggtopsied my first few. And when I have a less than stellar hatch, I check to try to pinpoint. But, lately, I just cool them off after making sure they are dead, and then take them out back and bury them. You do what you're comfortable with.

Send her some eggs...
Send him some eggs...

Really, I think SC should send some of his pures to Amy, and Amy should send some of her mixed to SC... see how well each ones do in different bators and styles... Hatchoff for the Crown...

BYC, where's the next chapter of your saga????????

Shipped egg damage... I have a story about those... and yes, I fully believe there is way more damage happening than we can see or know...

Caught up finally, whew... busy day trying to integrate the Call Duck Mafia, the Goon Squad and the Hardy Boys...

Ok, Ravyn: Ditto the swap off for the crown! Yes, next chapter, please. Let's hear your stories about shipped eggs, and the Mafia, Goon Squad, and Hardy Boys.

Well the biological incubator is working quite well. I have 8 hatched 3 more pipped and 2 that aren't doing much yet.

Personally, since I incubate with the eggs upright, I don't like to turn them over to candle. I tried all kinds of things. A salt box works well, and is small enough to turn upside down to candle from the top, and any direction, while holding the egg upright. But I like my flashlight with foam added to the end the best because its easiest to manipulate. Alot of people candle with the egg on it side, too, and some flip it all around. I just like to keep the egg in one position.
Just another opinion... Not saying any are wrong or right.

Yes, it's good for the addict to be able to candle without moving the eggs. B/C... if you're just shining a light at them, that's not the same as picking them up and manipulating their position, now... is it????

So my husband is the big spender of this operation. I'm tight with money and always on a budget. My motto is, "Do we really need it?"

When we started this whole thing, he wanted to order worms in the mail for the chooks. I was very logical: "The chickens are fine without 'em. They free range for Pete's sake! These eggs are getting expensive."

I was pondering this while I spent an hour or so catching crickets, grasshoppers and worms for the chicks this morning. . .

Every family needs a tightwad. I pinch my pennies till they bleed. And loose a lot of time in the yard running bugs back to the chickens. A piece of cardboard makes a wonderful worm magnet.

All of my flocks are in pens. I leave pieces of plywood laying on the ground and flip them once or twice a week. There will usually be some kind of bugs or worms under them, especially after a rain

After a rain, when I go out at night, the ground will look like it's undulating b/c of all of the worm romantic encounters going on. Especially right in front of my old coop where I've tossed the old litter. Are you folks tossing your litter into the runs? It makes for much healthier soil if the vegetation has been stripped.

Mornin' Mr. Scott.
Might that be a TWH in your avatar? Ridden many a mile on them.

TWH???

 

[scflock]

Are you folks tossing your litter into the runs? It makes for much healthier soil if the vegetation has been stripped.

I have not, but I will

I've been adding the clippings and leaves from the yard, but I can see where the litter would give it a good boost. Sounds like a good project for this weekend

 

[scottcaddy]

Quote:

Quote: Yes, she is my 1/2 Tennessee Walking Horse and Spotted cross (who didn't spot enough), named Scotts Cadillac

She can wear out somebody on a trotter while I am enjoying a cold one.
Seen the PM just as a storm was starting up here.Shut down for the lighting.
Scott

 

[kwhites634]

Dead is dead, so looking won't change that, but I thoroughly understand. I eggtopsied my first few. And when I have a less than stellar hatch, I check to try to pinpoint. But, lately, I just cool them off after making sure they are dead, and then take them out back and bury them. You do what you're comfortable with.

Ok, Ravyn: Ditto the swap off for the crown! Yes, next chapter, please. Let's hear your stories about shipped eggs, and the Mafia, Goon Squad, and Hardy Boys.

Yes, it's good for the addict to be able to candle without moving the eggs. B/C... if you're just shining a light at them, that's not the same as picking them up and manipulating their position, now... is it????

Every family needs a tightwad. I pinch my pennies till they bleed. And loose a lot of time in the yard running bugs back to the chickens. A piece of cardboard makes a wonderful worm magnet.

After a rain, when I go out at night, the ground will look like it's undulating b/c of all of the worm romantic encounters going on. Especially right in front of my old coop where I've tossed the old litter. Are you folks tossing your litter into the runs? It makes for much healthier soil if the vegetation has been stripped.

TWH???

TWH = Tennessee Walking Horse...the best equine ride out there.

 

[scottcaddy]

(Channeling Bruce)

I know it was a big Cadillac
Crushed velvet seat
Riding on the back
gliding down the street
Waving to the girls
Feeling out of sight
Spending all my money
On a Saturday night
Honey, I just wonder what it feels like on the back
Of your big Cadillac

Now some folks say he's too big
And uses too much grass
Some folks say he's too old
And that he goes too fast
But that horse is bigger than a Honda
It's bigger than a Subaru
Hey man there's only one thing
And one horse that will do
Anyway we don't have to ride him
Honey, we can park him out in back
And have a party with your big Cadillac

Thanks Wisher, I like it!!

Scott

 

[RubyNala97]

 Are you folks tossing your litter into the runs?  It makes for much healthier soil if the vegetation has been stripped.

I've actually been meaning to ask how everyone cleans out their runs. I rake all the poop out daily and then hose it down once or twice a week. Are you saying to leave all the poop in there?

 

[scflock]

I
I have a terrible time with my husband's 12 gauge. I shot it once and won't do it again. It's so long I couldn't hold it tight enough against my shoulder and it rocked me pretty good. It's light enough but just way to long so I'm trying to convince him to get me something alot shorter. I found quite a few I like, check out the Muddy Girl camo 20 and 12 gauges, they are awesome! I think there are some that are made for women. I think Mossberg makes them.

This is the Mossberg Maverick 88 I bought. I got the 20 gauge. 5+1 pump action for $189. Not the most glamorous gun in the world, but a darn fine varmint gun for the price. See how short the stock is? Perfect for Mrs. Flock, but still comfortable for me to shoot

 

[scflock]

I've actually been meaning to ask how everyone cleans out their runs. I rake all the poop out daily and then hose it down once or twice a week. Are you saying to leave all the poop in there?

I leave everything in the runs, but haven't thought about turning the coop litter into it. That would be a great idea, becuse the chickens already have it composted in the coop. It would work great in the bare runs and pens. I love that idea. It's so simple, but I never thought of it