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

[x4livin]

I have found more joy in my chickens. They are like little girls. They stand with their little heads crooked to see what mom is up to, and prance about being lovely and grab a snack and run run run. I have also found more grief. As I held my first banty of my own ever, freshly killed by a neighbors dog. A thing she trusted because I had made such a pet of her that she feared no evil. It is the epitome of life and death and generations as we watch the beauty of it and see the wide eyed curiosity of them, watch them accept new family and setting pecking order(running back to you when they get their little heads pecked) and then feel pain for them when they lose a lady or a strong rooster to a predator or illness after you fight so hard to save them. You really just have to have chickens to understand it. I imagine "dog people" or "horse people" feel the same about their little fur babies as we feel about the little feather babes, though.

 

[Tomtommom]

I just got my Premier heat plate and my mind is playing with ideas on how I could use it to simulate a broody. The caveat ofcourse is that the plate needs direct contact... but perhaps a 'broody' like your own (your lovely red 'hen'), filled with rice or beans could be a good barrier between eggs and plate.

It's currently in use by chicks, but it would be interesting to try. I could use an infertile egg with a probe thermometer inserted into it to monitor temps for a while.

 

[Beekissed]

Yeah, I felt bad too when my incubator didn't do as well as I hoped. I don't feel as bad when I think of what would have become of the egg otherwise, though. Quail eggs taste good boiled.

But I am making adjustments to my incubator and did better on the last hatch, so hopefully I get it right next time. I think persistence is key.

I think you are right...as with anything with a learning curve, persistence is needed.

I just got my Premier heat plate and my mind is playing with ideas on how I could use it to simulate a broody. The caveat ofcourse is that the plate needs direct contact... but perhaps a 'broody' like your own (your lovely red 'hen'), filled with rice or beans could be a good barrier between eggs and plate.

It's currently in use by chicks, but it would be interesting to try. I could use an infertile egg with a probe thermometer inserted into it to monitor temps for a while.

I think someone said it was 100-101* on the bottom surface, so not a bad idea to do it set on the 1 inch height and have nothing between the plate and the eggs but maybe a piece of felt(could be strapped to the underside with the use of elastic). I think the broody cushion wouldn't let the intensity of the heat through to the eggs enough but maybe the felt would be just the right thickness. You could try it with a water wiggler or water bag with thermometer inserted and just see how stable it kept the temps.

Sure would be cool to try it and might just increase the uses of the plate. I was thinking one could also turn it upside down and use it to keep chicken drinking water unfrozen,wet/fermented feeds warmed, and even keep seedlings warmed.

 

[Tomtommom]

I think someone said it was 100-101* on the bottom surface, so not a bad idea to do it set on the 1 inch height and have nothing between the plate and the eggs but maybe a piece of felt(could be strapped to the underside with the use of elastic). I think the broody cushion wouldn't let the intensity of the heat through to the eggs enough but maybe the felt would be just the right thickness. You could try it with a water wiggler or water bag with thermometer inserted and just see how stable it kept the temps.

Sure would be cool to try it and might just increase the uses of the plate. I was thinking one could also turn it upside down and use it to keep chicken drinking water unfrozen,wet/fermented feeds warmed, and even keep seedlings warmed.

I am ALL for dual use items. Last year I sprouted seedlings for the garden on top of my brooder (since the heat lamp radiated so much heat).

I am imagining all sorts of great uses for this little gadget. Ah, some people love to fiddle with their smart phone and Ipads/pods/puds.. Give me things like this and I am happy as a clam.

I actually tried to see if my mini-greenhouse fit on top, but it was just a bit too wide

We have the whole 'cookie tin' water heater thing... we had all spare parts in our storage building, DH only had to buy some rubber washers. So no need to use it for that purpose, but I am sure one could use it that way. Fermenting food on top would work well. Hm, wonder if the chicks would mind if I let my bread dough rise on there....

Oh Lord, cracking myself up. I'm so going to have to try to use it as an incubator though. I've hatched eggs under a heat lamp before (although a broody did most of the work.... so can't really take credit).

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:
I was thinking more along the lines of fermented chicken feed.

In the winter time some folks are finding it difficult to keep theirs from freezing before the birds eat it, so this little gadget might be just the ticket to keep it warm and also elevated up out of the litter.

 

[Tomtommom]

I was thinking more along the lines of fermented chicken feed.

In the winter time some folks are finding it difficult to keep theirs from freezing before the birds eat it, so this little gadget might be just the ticket to keep it warm and also elevated up out of the litter.

I ferment their food on my dryer... or well, used to. Lately I can't seem to start a decent ferment and it all ends up smelling like sewage, but, that's a whole other story. Anyway, brain went from fermenting chicken food to rising yeast dough a bit too fast

I make a no-knead bread that sits for 5 hours to double in size.. I can never find a good warm spot for it.

My girls eat their ferment so fast, holy cow. They're pigs.

 

[Beekissed]

Mine too! Never gets a chance to freeze.

 

[Naturalway]

I just finished reading the entire thread (except 2 pages). When I first found this thread I was excited to see that you would almost be through 21 days and since I have 5 eggs due on Saturday I was hoping to hear of your good progress. I am so sorry that nest #1 did not do well. I hope this current nest hatches all.
Like you, my roo is questionable in fulfilling his duties. I don't candle and my silkie pooed on her adopted olive eggs. Sooooo....we will see on Saturday. I may end up with zero chickies.
Thank you for taking the time to post updates. Keep it up.
P.S. My dad grew up in Flat Top, WV

 

[lazy gardener]

what day is it?

 

[Beekissed]

It's day 5, so 5 more days to go until I decide if anything is growing in there...if not, I'll start over. The third time just might be the clincher as I learn more as I go along.

Welcome to all the newcomers to the thread!

I love having a cheering section...I need all I can get on this. The nest is so cute, the eggs look so tucked in and cute and the final picture would be for cute little chicks to pip and pop out to complete the cuteness. If sheer will would bring it about it would be well in its way to success...