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

[kwhites634]

I really want to candle to see what's going on in these eggs today but I'm determined to leave them alone! I really want to know if that 1 little guy pipped though... I need to find something to do other than worry about what's going on in the bator

Go build a new coop & run

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Yes!

This is soooooo true!!!
But these are mostly to boost production, right? Not to get a first-timer to lay? It's freezing here this morning, literally. And I actually looked at the red pepper flakes as I was making their oatmeal this morning!

Awesome!! I think I was reading that Cayugas are really quiet, and having a black egg is so cool....very tempted to hatch them instead of calls!

I hope she's feeling better this morning!

These are mostly talking about that, but the first time I heard about it, it was in a disscussion about getting first timers to lay.

I read info on that, "back in the day". And... got the "planned" boy first, and the "planned" girl next. Matter of timing to promote proper pH, as well as a bit of theory about who's the better long distance swimmer.

He might have just a bit too much fun with that!!

YES!!!! lol

Oh I'm excited...going to Google now!
Was Amy talking about getting the gender you want??? I totally misunderstood her post last night!!! Probably confused the heck out of her! Anyway, my aunt tried to get a girl after reading a book about it and it worked! It's about timing and ovulation, I believe.

Yes, about getting the gender you want. lol

Has anyone heard of a powder called "hatch-rite"? You mix with water and spray on eggs during incubation. It's based on this study that indicates the ingredients lead to better hatches and healthier chicks post hatch. Here's a copy of the study. Interesting.
http://epsaegypt.com/pdf/2009_december/10-1160.pdf

Never heard of it.

Go build a new coop & run

LOL

 

[WVduckchick]

Yes this is my 2nd try at incubating, I'm on day 22 now. When I candled from inside the bator yesterday afternoon all but those 2 quitters looked pretty good, maybe a little underdeveloped yet, but draw down had started on the eggs that appeared farther along and 1 appeared to be trying to internally pip. I half expected them to take a little longer to hatch cause I couldn't keep my darn hands out of the bator for the first 2 weeks. But I'm really hoping I'll get some pips later today. I looked through the bator window this morning and nothing yet but I'm

that something will happen today.

Loretta seems to be a bit better this morning. She is preening, eating and drinking. She was also scratching. This is an improvement to yesterday. I think I will put some rooster booster in their water today. Her comb still seems a bit pale.

Sounds much better. Good luck with her, and keep us posted!

I really want to candle to see what's going on in these eggs today but I'm determined to leave them alone! I really want to know if that 1 little guy pipped though... I need to find something to do other than worry about what's going on in the bator

go clean the kitchen, or scrub a toilet... just stay outta that incubator!

Seriously though, I'm really hoping for your first pip to happen real soon.

 

[kwhites634]

I really want to candle to see what's going on in these eggs today but I'm determined to leave them alone! I really want to know if that 1 little guy pipped though... I need to find something to do other than worry about what's going on in the bator

If you're bored, you could build me a modular 12'x24' brooder house/tractor shed/work shop; I'll pick it up when you're done.

 

[RubyNala97]

Yes this is my 2nd try at incubating, I'm on day 22 now. When I candled from inside the bator yesterday afternoon all but those 2 quitters looked pretty good, maybe a little underdeveloped yet, but draw down had started on the eggs that appeared farther along and 1 appeared to be trying to internally pip. I half expected them to take a little longer to hatch cause I couldn't keep my darn hands out of the bator for the first 2 weeks. But I'm really hoping I'll get some pips later today. I looked through the bator window this morning and nothing yet but I'm that something will happen today.

Day 22, already!!?!! I'm thinking your temps must be on the low side (or all the candling ) This is the second batch that are sleepy heads and taking their time hatching! Must be killing you. Update when you have a pip!

Loretta seems to be a bit better this morning. She is preening, eating and drinking. She was also scratching. This is an improvement to yesterday. I think I will put some rooster booster in their water today. Her comb still seems a bit pale.

That's good news!! Happy to hear it.

Yes, that's also my delimma and that's where holding up my hands to see which 1 forms an "L" comes in

That's what I do.

Sounds much better.  Good luck with her, and keep us posted! 

  go clean the kitchen, or scrub a toilet... just stay outta that incubator! 

Seriously though, I'm really hoping for your first pip to happen real soon. 

WV, I'm really liking the black East Indies, thank you!! I'm thinking of maybe giving them a try instead of the calls. I have all winter to decide. I just learned about pinioning....don't think I could ever do it, though.

 

[WVduckchick]

WV, I'm really liking the black East Indies, thank you!! I'm thinking of maybe giving them a try instead of the calls. I have all winter to decide. I just learned about pinioning....don't think I could ever do it, though.

Gorgeous aren't they? I like the idea of them being slightly bigger and hardier, but more quiet and docile than calls. Plus, every pic I have seen is absolutely stunning!
I bet I read the same article that you did about pinioning though lol. For me, it would depend on how well they stick around home base, and I haven't read up on that yet.

 

[FridayYet]

I recently saw a picture of a Mandarin drake posted on Facebook. Absolutely stunning!

Anyone have one?

 

[WVduckchick]

I recently saw a picture of a Mandarin drake posted on Facebook. Absolutely stunning!

Anyone have one?

I have seen those also and I'd have to rank them in the tops of most beautiful birds of any kind! I was thinking there was some special permit to own them, but it looks like Murray McMurray sells them. Oh, yet another breed to consider....

 

[rossfam06]

I really want to candle to see what's going on in these eggs today but I'm determined to leave them alone! I really want to know if that 1 little guy pipped though... I need to find something to do other than worry about what's going on in the bator :/

You can always grab lightly tap the egg for any chirps. Lol!!! That's what I would do esp since it's day 22.

 

[RubyNala97]

Gorgeous aren't they?  I like the idea of them being slightly bigger and hardier, but more quiet and docile than calls.  Plus, every pic I have seen is absolutely stunning! 
I bet I read the same article that you did about pinioning though lol.  For me, it would depend on how well they stick around home base, and I haven't read up on that yet. 

Probably! I wouldn't do it, I would just clip their wings. I also started reading about the Madarins, but Friday beat me to it!!

I recently saw a picture of a Mandarin drake posted on Facebook. Absolutely stunning!

Anyone have one?

I found a breeder in FL that sells eggs. I just started reading the mandarin thread! I would love to hatch them but I've been reading they are not domesticated and pretty wild, so I don't think it would be a good fit for me and the kids...but boy am I tempted!