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

[Beekissed]

Thank you all for the good wishes!

I'm an old hand at being a mama, and I know chicks have been hatching since time began, so all I have to do is stand back and marvel. The box is 3 ft from my bed, so I'll sleep with one ear open for peeping. If I hear it, I'll get up and try to film a few snatches of the process.

Good news.....the heating pad brooder is 98-100 degrees this morning after temps of 20-30 all night, 6 in. of snow outside and mild winds. I think this is going to be one of the must fun brooders I have ever had without a broody in it. It will be a smaller brooder than usual, with a little hill for them to climb and a "mama" to get under and their own miniature FF trough, a nipple waterer for more pecking funzies and a sunny window on two sides to shine in natural sunlight and fresh, cool air. Should be cute as all get out!

 

[clankeyes]

This adventure is better than a good movie !!!!! Thanks for the updates Bee !

 

[Tomtommom]

I've got my chicks outdoors with a heat plate. I am more and more convinced these things are the way to go (plates or a heat pad setup). It's been fairly chilly and they're hanging in there just fine, going under electric mom whenever they get cold. Makes me wonder why we ever thought a heat lamp was a good idea.

Good luck hatching, fuzzballs!

 

[Beekissed]

I've got my chicks outdoors with a heat plate. I am more and more convinced these things are the way to go (plates or a heat pad setup). It's been fairly chilly and they're hanging in there just fine, going under electric mom whenever they get cold. Makes me wonder why we ever thought a heat lamp was a good idea.

Good luck hatching, fuzzballs!

I think so too. I think we'll see chicks that are less dehydrated from being under a "sun" at all hours, more rested due to having dark hours of inactivity, and a better, more normal eating schedule that closely mimics a natural brood situation of eating in daylight hours. I think it could possibly make them stronger, keep them healthier and less susceptible to illness and will help them to fledge out quickly and harden them off quicker for an early transition to free ranging and the coop life.

Right now it's sort of weird to not be popping up that heating pad and turning eggs several times a day....I guess it's nice but I also kind of miss nurturing those eggs. A mother's dilemma...

 

[LOVEIGEE]

Thank you all for the good wishes!

I'm an old hand at being a mama, and I know chicks have been hatching since time began, so all I have to do is stand back and marvel. The box is 3 ft from my bed, so I'll sleep with one ear open for peeping. If I hear it, I'll get up and try to film a few snatches of the process.

Good news.....the heating pad brooder is 98-100 degrees this morning after temps of 20-30 all night, 6 in. of snow outside and mild winds. I think this is going to be one of the must fun brooders I have ever had without a broody in it. It will be a smaller brooder than usual, with a little hill for them to climb and a "mama" to get under and their own miniature FF trough, a nipple waterer for more pecking funzies and a sunny window on two sides to shine in natural sunlight and fresh, cool air. Should be cute as all get out!

Oh BF......I'm

too......just haven't had to time to post......so excited.....can't wait for the pictures! Love you my SIS

 

[Beekissed]

Oh BF......I'm

too......just haven't had to time to post......so excited.....can't wait for the pictures! Love you my SIS

SIS!!!!!

I love you too!!!!

One of these days you'll realize that life isn't something to rush through....slow down, my friend, and conserve your energy...it's over quickly enough without speeding things up.

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

You be the chicken guru Bee. I am fermenting feed now for the past 2 months--all my birds are doing great. My 3 week old meaties actually have feathers and act like the rest of the gang!

 

[Beekissed]

You be the chicken guru Bee. I am fermenting feed now for the past 2 months--all my birds are doing great. My 3 week old meaties actually have feathers and act like the rest of the gang!

It's sort of cool getting a really healthy choice on feed without spending any more money for it, isn't it? I like that aspect of it.

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Yes it is. I was reading a few previous posts about a broody tossing a hatching chick out of the nest. I watched my silkie hatch out her chicks--she rolled all of them out as they were hatching and watched. I was so upset thinking she'd shrink wrap them! She did that with every egg and after they were out she would put them under her. Momma really does know best!

 

[Tomtommom]

I stopped fermenting for a while, since for whatever reason I could NOT get a good ferment going. They all smelled all sorts of funky... Need to get back on it, because those girls have eaten A LOT more with dry pellets.