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

[scflock]

I don't buy because paying for it is like admitting I have a problem

 

[RubyNala97]

Thanks for the encouragement Amy! Ive been reading and writing everything i can find. Really, i am one of those people who reads Too Much! I read the thread covering the six areas of investigation? Forgot the author :-/ a big hatchery, its from years ago. I have written each of those specifics in my notes and i am making an effort to watch everything. Its mostly steady in there. i dont have central AC sooooo... Im telln u all i needed was a good styro box LOL im not kidding u im all clammy Just Sittin here in the AC! When i say Dry in reference to incubation i mean about 35% is where im hangin out. I will adjust if neccesary, i have time its early, and i left room for adjustment in the humidity area on purpous. today is day 4, at 100 hrs, tonight i will candle for fertility. At each one wk mark also i plan to measure weight and redraw the air sacs so i can readjust if neccesary. I think the close monitoring is nessecary at this point, aside from my excitment i understand that i will get a much better handle on it after i watch a few but im trying to get there with the best results from jump. My poultry is very important to my family and mostly jus me... I love to give them All that i can, but i dont have time or money So i have to use a more hands off approch in general, and i need them to be hardy all on their own. I tell u im def buying a turner asap and eventually im rigging a second bator out of an ice chest as well as building a lockdown hatcher. I put so much time and effort into it, i cant stand to loose anything though. Also, Im basically alone in my poultry so its Alot of My work. Im there on the page, the hatch rate and birds in general are not based on their cash value, as much as in the effort that i put forth for them.

I was going to ask how the candling went but I think you already posted an update. (I got a little behind) how many were fertile out of how many set?

Ruby - I meant to comment on your comment about the flock staying in the run without being locked in the coop. I locked my older set in for 2 nights, and the lavenders for only 1 night. Ever since, they have always gone in on their own. I do check them every night to make sure, but they are always happily roosting.

They are still babies (1 group is 8 wks, 1 group is 4/5 wks) so I think it may take a little more time. They have no older ones to teach them the ropes. And they are still just figuring out how to use the ramp! Plus, they are silkies...I don't think they even know they are chickens! Lol!

He's exactly like me, except younger, better looking, and nice
So, officially day 1 now. Guess I should weigh the eggs, mark air cells, check temp and humidity, take each egg out individually, caress them, and tell them daddy loves them...


Nah

You could put one in a jock strap to see if you can hatch it and for that matter you can brood it there too! That's love! (am I even allowed to say that)?

I just looked out on my chicks, out grazing in the yard (both sets lol) and my turkey was over the fence in the duck pen! I think they were scared to death of her, hiding behind a tree! Lol I guess she flew over the fence, then was walking around trying to get back out. I went to the rescue! Haha

I'm convinced that ducks are scared to death of anything that does not quack back!!

Just let the hen out with her chicks for the first time. Went better than expected and managed to get them back in too!

I love it!! What a good mama!! I just love the looks of her! I guess I could get a couple polish frizzle hatching eggs and just get rid of the Roos, then there would be no frizzle breeding issues. I have to have a chicken that looks like that!!

 

[WVduckchick]

They are still babies (1 group is 8 wks, 1 group is 4/5 wks) so I think it may take a little more time. They have no older ones to teach them the ropes. And they are still just figuring out how to use the ramp! Plus, they are silkies...I don't think they even know they are chickens! Lol!

You could put one in a jock strap to see if you can hatch it and for that matter you can brood it there too! That's love!

(am I even allowed to say that)?
I'm convinced that ducks are scared to death of anything that does not quack back!!

I forgot, mine all learned in the baby coop (the little red store-bought coop), and learned to go up and down the ladder at about 3 weeks. Then I moved them to the grow-out coop around 6 weeks, so by then, they were used to a ramp. They didn't like it the first night, but no problem after that.
I bought my silkies when I bought extra golden comets (all the others, I hatched). So those 6, plus the 2 silkies learned together, so they must have helped the dummies....

Yes, I think SC should try that!

My ducks weren't so scared of the turkey when she was smaller than them, but now that she has outgrown them, they tend to shy away.... Funny how that works, huh...

 

[sideWing]

Don't worry, everyone knows you're the nice one

I won't be redeeming my pride on this hatch, I don't think. I've only had one hatch ever that only left one egg.
That was an excellent summary of the thread

That bird is a freak of nature. It just doesn't even look right. A broody Polish...

I think you would have to be incubating the same breed to really compare. BCM from what I have heard are notoriously hard to hatch.

It was amazing. I held each egg against my heart for 7 minutes so they would get to know me. I named each of them, then kissed the egg and brushed it against my cheek before lovingly setting it back in the incubator. My humidity was 43% instead of 42%, so I took a Q-tip and removed small amounts of water until I stabilized at 42%. The entire process to 6.5 hours, but was so worth it. The miracle of life is truly amazing

I found a pdf manual for the brinsea mini and passed it onto the lady having the problems with it.


Hmm - i might have to do that (buy the golden feather) - i am seeing x-rated adds when i'm on @silkiecuddles thread.

You can also win the membership on different contests hosted by BYC

Did the contest end to predict the 1 millionth post or whatever it was?

 

[mixedUPturk]

Ruby, 16/22 as of last night, thank you! 3 had red ring, i had never seen it w my own eyes but im positive. 3 more were clear, and i havent tossed because i want to see if they will develope late. And im totally w u, York, had def convinced me that i NEED the polish Here!

WV, u know, my cats and dogs, they used to not be run off by the turkeys so easily... Nowadays tho... What can u say when u have 3-3 1/2 ft tall bird walkn around?!

 

[scflock]

I think you would have to be incubating the same breed to really compare. BCM from what I have heard are notoriously hard to hatch. Did the contest end to predict the 1 millionth post or whatever it was?

That last one kills me

 

[RubyNala97]

Ruby, 16/22 as of last night, thank you! 3 had red ring, i had never seen it w my own eyes but im positive. 3 more were clear, and i havent tossed because i want to see if they will develope late. And im totally w u, York, had def convinced me that i NEED the polish Here!

WV, u know, my cats and dogs, they used to not be run off by the turkeys so easily... Nowadays tho... What can u say when u have 3-3 1/2 ft tall bird walkn around?!

16 is good!! I used to hold on to the clears until around day 10. I had read stories where someone would break open a clear and be wrong. So I used to be so paranoid! But now by day 4 I can definitely tell the clears. (I've never hatched dark eggs either). I really hope the hatch goes great. You're going to be soooo excited when you see that first pip. Sounds like you've done all your homework, so enjoy!! Oh and yes, Yorkshire has me so tempted. I actually spoke to a couple polish frizzle breeders but they won't ship so far in the heat. My incubator is empty and I'm starting withdrawal!!!

 

[sideWing]

16 is good!! I used to hold on to the clears until around day 10. I had read stories where someone would break open a clear and be wrong. So I used to be so paranoid! But now by day 4 I can definitely tell the clears. (I've never hatched dark eggs either). I really hope the hatch goes great. You're going to be soooo excited when you see that first pip. Sounds like you've done all your homework, so enjoy!! Oh and yes, Yorkshire has me so tempted. I actually spoke to a couple polish frizzle breeders but they won't ship so far in the heat. My incubator is empty and I'm starting withdrawal!!!

I have opened a "clear" that I regretted opening. I think it may have been viable. That being said I have only incubated 3 times. If you know then great, but when in doubt, leave it in there. Unless it stinks.

 

[scflock]

I was going to ask how the candling went but I think you already posted an update. (I got a little behind) how many were fertile out of how many set?
They are still babies (1 group is 8 wks, 1 group is 4/5 wks) so I think it may take a little more time. They have no older ones to teach them the ropes. And they are still just figuring out how to use the ramp! Plus, they are silkies...I don't think they even know they are chickens! Lol!
You could put one in a jock strap to see if you can hatch it and for that matter you can brood it there too! That's love! (am I even allowed to say that)?
I'm convinced that ducks are scared to death of anything that does not quack back!!
I love it!! What a good mama!! I just love the looks of her! I guess I could get a couple polish frizzle hatching eggs and just get rid of the Roos, then there would be no frizzle breeding issues. I have to have a chicken that looks like that!!

The alternative incubation method described last week was a beautiful thing and comforting to imagine. What you suggest is just disgusting

 

[RubyNala97]

I have opened a "clear" that I regretted opening. I think it may have been viable. That being said I have only incubated 3 times. If you know then great, but when in doubt, leave it in there. Unless it stinks. 

See! You're right!!

The alternative incubation method described last week was a beautiful thing and comforting to imagine. What you suggest is just disgusting

Hahahaha!