Simulated Natural Nest Incubation~Experiment #1 So it begins....

[pogmobum]

Thank you!  That's what I keep thinking too...when I start feeling bad about wasting all these eggs or about the death of those two chicks, I just remind myself that there are thousands of people on these forums doing the same thing, but with more established methods of incubation, and they don't miss a beat about it. 

My first hatch I literally killed two chicks by assisting too early, I know that sounds harsh but it was only because I didn't know what I was doing, and thought I was saving, them looking back and being more educated in raising and keeping hens I know that wasn't the case, I just didn't have the info and was 17 with nobody to help me. People learn only by making a few mistakes along the way

 

[Tomtommom]

My hubby is going to be up to his ears in baby chicks and the funny thing is, he's terrified of chickens...he HATES gathering eggs for me if i'm out of town for some reason!! bahahaha!! he's afraid they are going to hurt him...

...that's what i get for marrying a city boy. But he sure does love fresh eggs fried up with some bacon and toast...go figure.

I worked at a petting zoo as a teenager.. I spent basically all my time feeding animals and scooping poop.

I didn't mind scooping poop, but what I did mind was being sent into this HUGE run with white leghorns. Those things scared me so bad! I think they had a few roosters in there and 2-3 dozen hens. Big coop with poop boards wall to wall, as well as nest boxes. So you're trying to maneuver a big wheelbarrow into a coop with a bunch of chickens and a couple watchful roosters. You try and scrape the crap off the boards into your wheel barrow, grab the eggs quickly but carefully without being flogged or worse! I was always VERY quick to finish that job... I can totally understand his fear...

I love my large fowl girls, but I'm not sure if I would feel okay entering a coop with 3 dozen unsocialized hens and their men, even now.

I don't like angry birds..

 

[aussie pete]

hi Bee,
u have been my go to person on BYC ,whenever i have a problem with my chooks.

u r an inspiration to lots of ppl on BYC, just look at the number of views on yr threads,

yr ability to convey yr experience with chooks ,(gained from a lot of time ,mistakes & perseverance) to help others minimize the mistakes they make, for the benefit of their chooks & themselves.

yr ability to experiment ,rationalise easier ways to go about things,without throwing money at the problems incurred, is an inspiration


Thank You

cheers Pete

 

[Beekissed]

hi Bee,
u have been my go to person on BYC ,whenever i have a problem with my chooks.

u r an inspiration to lots of ppl on BYC, just look at the number of views on yr threads,

yr ability to convey yr experience with chooks ,(gained from a lot of time ,mistakes & perseverance) to help others minimize the mistakes they make, for the benefit of their chooks & themselves.

yr ability to experiment ,rationalise easier ways to go about things,without throwing money at the problems incurred, is an inspiration


Thank You

cheers Pete

That's funny...I feel the same way about you, Pete!

To bad we live a world apart, cause we could sure have some great discussions while leaning on a fence! I could look at your birds all day long and twice on Sunday.

 

[foxvalleyfarm]

hi Bee,
u have been my go to person on BYC ,whenever i have a problem with my chooks.

u r an inspiration to lots of ppl on BYC, just look at the number of views on yr threads,

 yr ability to convey yr experience with chooks ,(gained from a lot of time ,mistakes & perseverance) to help others minimize the mistakes they make, for the benefit of their chooks & themselves.

yr ability to experiment ,rationalise  easier ways to go about things,without throwing money at the problems incurred, is an inspiration


Thank You

cheers Pete

X2

 

[AmericanMom]

Thank you! That's what I keep thinking too...when I start feeling bad about wasting all these eggs or about the death of those two chicks, I just remind myself that there are thousands of people on these forums doing the same thing, but with more established methods of incubation, and they don't miss a beat about it.

I have found myself in a dilemma where an artificial incubator may have to be thrown together... Got my Broody sitting on 5 eggs, day 10 and candled last night, all look good.... Got 10 more in the incubator on day 7, again, all look good... Why do you ask did I do this.. Momma was sitting 9 eggs when a jealous hen tried to take her nest resulting in 4 eggs being broken, I tossed some in the incubator figuring I would allow her to adopt them after they hatch....Momma is now secluded and happy

Here is the dilemma I find myself in... In touch with a women who is selling her adult Bourbon Red Tom and four hens, although I cannot afford them nor am I set up right now for adult turkeys they are laying eggs, knowing how desperately I want Turkeys she is selling me the eggs at $10. a dozen....I simply cannot and will not pass this up.. I am going to give the momma hen the eggs from the incubator but have little doubt she will sit long enough to hatch them out so I am going to need something for the last couple days...I'm hoping she will sit if she feels them moving around but from what I have read I'm not hopeful... I have a small Styrofoam ice chest and light and such...we shall see what I can come up with , any suggestions?

 

[Beekissed]

I pretty much let broodies sit for however long I need them to....sometimes they have to sit quite some time until I get the foster chicks I want to put under them. I'm thinking your broody hen will sit those eggs until they hatch, if she's worth her salt. I wouldn't pass up those turkey eggs either! I'd take a chance on that broody.

Let us know what you decide and how it works out....this should be interesting!

 

[AmericanMom]

I pretty much let broodies sit for however long I need them to....sometimes they have to sit quite some time until I get the foster chicks I want to put under them. I'm thinking your broody hen will sit those eggs until they hatch, if she's worth her salt. I wouldn't pass up those turkey eggs either! I'd take a chance on that broody.

Let us know what you decide and how it works out....this should be interesting!

I am going to put them under her Saturday night and just let her go and hope she will sit, she has been pretty determined so far, I was just thinking of a what if back up plan..

 

[AmericanMom]

Let me rephrase that, I am actually going to pick the five best eggs and place those under her, I think 15 is to many, my BA's are older and there eggs are pretty porous, I'm going to cull those.... that way she only has 10 eggs under her and I wont worry about the ones I want to hatch not being covered well.

 

[Zanna]

I am going to put them under her Saturday night and just let her go and hope she will sit, she has been pretty determined so far, I was just thinking of a what if back up plan..

My incubator and hatchers are pretty much running non-stop right now. If you get stuck and want to make the drive I would be happy to finish incubating or hatch for you. There may also be someone closer to you willing to help, you could run a Craigslist add.