Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[Wishing4Wings]

@W4W They are not hatchery birds - it is actually more difficult to find hatchery birds than well bred ones because there are very few poultry keepers. I'll link the website : http://www.peartreepoultry.co.uk We have been to the place to check it out and the birds look good.

They also do a package where you rent an incubator and pick 7 of their eggs and you hatch them yourself. Then you can keep the chicks or return them. I spoke to them about just keeping two or three and returning the rest because I have limited space and they were fine with it. So I might do that.

My existing to hens : my exbattery Babs who is very sweet but is always near the top of the pecking order (I think due to her age but idk), and Selma who is very sweet but timid and was at the bottom.

Hatching with a return policy sounds fun! I really like the Bluebelle hybrid. Pretty bird.


Debby, those "inspirational" pics are fun! ... or else! Love it.

Savannahmom, oh no! Now you've done it! Starting down the slippery slope of Chicken Math! The broody will usually stay on the nest for at least the first day after they hatch, so you'll probably have time to get them down and put them in a pen or something. Just have to check a lot. Meanwhile, if other hens have access to the nest, it can cause a lot of problems. Is there any way to move her to a secure nest?

 

[XxMingirlxX]

Guys I have a question,

My araucana has been opening her beak and just walking around with her beak open, I haven't seen anything like it, is it normal? I checked her throat (much to her dislike) and couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. We are having a major heat way at the moment - it hasn't been this hot in years so could be that she is just hot?

 

[ronott1]

Guys I have a question,

My araucana has been opening her beak and just walking around with her beak open, I haven't seen anything like it, is it normal? I checked her throat (much to her dislike) and couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. We are having a major heat way at the moment - it hasn't been this hot in years so could be that she is just hot?

Yes, that is the first symptom of heat. How hot? 85?

It was 105 here yesterday and they do a lot more than pant at those temps...I had one die.

 

[XxMingirlxX]

Yes, that is the first symptom of heat. How hot? 85?

It was 105 here yesterday and they do a lot more than pant at those temps...I had one die.

I'm no good with Farenheight so I used a converter, in the late 80s for the past few days but is expected to cool down again by the end of the week. This is the hottest it's been in about five years.

 

[XxMingirlxX]

Sorry about your loss

 

[cheeka]

Oh ron, I am so sorry to hear that. folks around here are always so concerned about Winter and keeping them warm, but no amount of banging my head against their coop walls will get them to understand that it is heat that kills them more than cold.

guess I'm lucky so far, with temps barely reaching the mid 60's. perfect weather for them but for the rain... we actually did hit 70 this afternoon, but it is about to storm like you read about. the temps will drop again.

 

[ronott1]

I'm no good with Farenheight so I used a converter, in the late 80s for the past few days but is expected to cool down again by the end of the week. This is the hottest it's been in about five years.

Chickens will start panting when the temps get into the 80s. They will then start pushing their wings out and pant harder. It is sad to see but they usually are fine with shade and water. I think the one I lost was trying to stay cool in a dust hole but was in the sun. I need to add another water nipple on their water system too. Each nipple is supposed to be good for 4 hens in the heat and I have two for the four of them(now three) but it may not have been enough at 105. Today is forecast to be 107.

 

[ronott1]

Oh ron, I am so sorry to hear that. folks around here are always so concerned about Winter and keeping them warm, but no amount of banging my head against their coop walls will get them to understand that it is heat that kills them more than cold.

guess I'm lucky so far, with temps barely reaching the mid 60's. perfect weather for them but for the rain... we actually did hit 70 this afternoon, but it is about to storm like you read about. the temps will drop again.

Yes! It cracks me up when someone in the Bay Area is worried about the cold--It barely gets to 32F there. They want to add a heater.

I am working with heat hardy breeds and this was a Penedesenca which is heat hardy. It was just too much for her this time. She is the first one this year. I did not lose any to the heat last year.

 

[chickenlindz]

I'm planning on getting a kiddie pool for them and filling with water. Have read that letting them dunk feet (do not soak entire bird) allows them to dissipate heat. Thankfully we've only hit 90 once or twice. Mostly high 80s but very humid.

Ron sorry for your loss. My dust bath is in the sun too but we have a lot of shade in various places where they can free range too.
Speaking of free ranging their new favorite spot is my neighbors house. They have two huge pine trees and my girls love to head over to scratch around. Only problem is they have to cross the road to do it!!! Ugghhh no idea how to dissuade them.

Hate to lock them up in the summer since they spend all winter in the run.

 

[chickenlindz]

Guess who figured out how to get in bed????