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

[RubyNala97]

So I am officially into day 21.  Still no babies out.  3 pips, the oldest being about 17 hours.  Its still working and chirping, so I'm still waiting.  I hate this time when I tell myself I'm not going to do this again, knowing I'll change my mind, but goodness!   @sideWing
 - the one that pipped toward the floor is also still alive.  Its around 10 hours now, making a little progress, but I'm not overly hopeful for it.  I hope it proves me wrong.   

I'm about to go to bed. Just wanted to wish your babies happy hatching. I told you to sleep last night! I can't wait to see blobby! I'll check for updates in the morning! I took in a lone chick and it won't stop crying! I might not get much sleep either! Why can't I just say NO! LoL..oh and ALL my pea eggs showed development tonight!! Woohoo!

 

[sideWing]

I can't believe this but all 14 of my shipped barred EE eggs are viable and looking great at day 11. Shipped with no stickers about "this side up" and no "fragile" stickers. I know some of the extra eggs were 7 days or older. I'm shocked. And they were stacked in a box every which way but loose. Not big end up.

 

[FridayYet]

Awesome!

 

[sideWing]

Leakage as in too much copper? And there in the chest..etc? Not always a bad thing, especially if your girls are way too black. My girls are way too black, so I would love me some leakage on my rooster.

I would love to see a close up of the back of his comb... If it is flat, then even if it isn't Leghorn worthy, it is fine.


@NTBugtraq well, he gets a top score for vitality and power to thrive through adveristy! Not enough of him left to see how close he is to SOP, except to see that he carries his tail well.

Thanks Alaskan! Here is the best shot I could get of the back of the comb.

 

[WVduckchick]

I'm about to go to bed. Just wanted to wish your babies happy hatching. I told you to sleep last night! I can't wait to see blobby! I'll check for updates in the morning! I took in a lone chick and it won't stop crying! I might not get much sleep either! Why can't I just say NO! LoL..oh and ALL my pea eggs showed development tonight!! Woohoo!

Thanks!! Good luck with your new one too!

 

[BYC910]

The feeders are old tech wooden gravity boxes, each holds 100# of feed. They're based on late 19th century-early 20th century designs I found in old coops.


For waterers, I cobbled some together.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/fortiflex-sf-6-small-feeder-5-qt-capacity-sapphire plus http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/little-giantreg;-trough-o-matictrade;-plastic-float-valve.

Build a wooden frame with extended supports to prevent the bowl from tipping, especially with turkeys or large fowl. Make it lift-out for easy cleaning. The float valves come with a couple of brackets, assemble as desired in a removable manner for easy cleaning.

I use the die cast version of these valves for turkeys as a big bird can break the plastic by standing on it.

I just put together a bucket with nipples and will try it with the babies. I'm currently using 1 gallon founts for those birds and have to refill several times a day.

that there's a hog feeder

 

[Alaskan]

@sideWing OK... maybe we need to put that up on the Marans breeder thread... Because I would think that since there are no actual sprigs, or odd things sticking out.. it should be fine.

No, it isn't as flat as a Leghorn comb... but does it need to be that flat? Yours looks just a bit meaty at the back base, but I don't see any clear "I am not a true single comb" indications..

 

[WalnutHill]

that there's a hog feeder

Well, my broilers probably eat as much as a hungry hog. But the trough is only a couple inches wide to prevent birds from hopping in and scratching. Tack an extra strip on the front if they figure out how to shovel food out.

 

[chicapee]

the problem is finding vaccine without a getting it from a vet and finding a who vet who treats chickens . most  chicken killers are virus's that there are no vaccine's for that I know of. you would  be amazed how many people think treating with antibiotics is vaccinating around here. I've asked the same question many times. I even called my county agent they told me to call somebody in Ala. who I could never get . not many med's are geared for small chicken producers either not even at TSC. call your county agent maybe you'll have better luck than me if you do let me know what you find out . btw what about the chick with the cyst did it get better or culled.

I have drained the cyst 3 times now and the liquid is clear. It keeps coming back, so I have just left it for about a week this time. It doesn't seem to bother it. I am hoping whatever is causing it will grow out. The little chick is really friendly. We call her or him bubbles. I will take a picture of it tomorrow. I am wondering if it has something to do with the ear. Regarding vaccines I have only seen huge dose quantities at tsc.I haven't vaccinated any of mine. I should ask on the local fb page and see if any vaccinate in this area.

 

[BYC910]

I used only eggs laid in the last 7 days, tilted cartons till I took the turner out of the previous hatch, then put the new set into the turner. Storage temps were as you describe. I have only the one BCM rooster, with 21 layers, perhaps he should be hitting the mark more than he has been. I did just acquire 2 more BCM roos (only 3 weeks old). I drew the air cells and even was able to draw draw-downs on most eggs on Day 18. I did have the vent open after Day 18, but otherwise, not a lot different between us except this time I did not take the chicks out when there were no visible pips (I simply did not take them out at all till morning of Day 23). I never opened the bator when there were pips or zips.

you have to many hens for him you need to cut him down to 12 or less pick your best and go that way. trying to cover that many hens will wear him out .he may be a real man but even they get tired. watch for temp spikes foam bators are bad about that. out of 21 eggs ready for lock down only 6 hatched two of those died after hatching. I forgot to turn on my cooling fans before leaving for work two days before lock down last week. and that killed most of my eggs. 106 degree heat spike very deadly . day old chicks should be brooded at 95 degrees dropped 5 degrees a week. make sure your chicks can get away from the heat. If your using a heat lamp give them a shady spot to go to .and keep reading ad asking questions right here .my hatch improved just from reading this thread. and guys post one word post for me body and brain wore out. to much work in the heat .it 's mid night and I'm going to bed with catching up all the way. don't know if WV hatched one yet .got luck find out tomorrow night.