South Carolina

[Southern Bee Lady]

I just finished hatching eggs from HenThyme. Here are pics.
Out of 14 Lav. and split eggs, I had 11 that looked good when I candled at lockdown. I put all into lockdown just in case.
8 of the 11 hatched.

5 lav and 3 splits.
Thank you HenThyme

I also had B/B/S hatching.

B/B/S on right

Amy
I don't see how you keep up with all you are doing. I have been running two hovabators
and hatching everything I can for an order. I am exhausted trying to keep up with whose hatching when
and keeping everyone feed and water. I write everything on my calendar or I would have chicks hatching
in the turner.

The silkie babies I got from you are beautiful. I had three of the eggs from Sandy hatch. I will post pics soon.

Mary
Mary Bell's Apiary/Honey Blossom Farm

Online

 

[emptynester]

Quote:
Newbie question here. What is a split?

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Splits mean that the chicks are black but it carries the genes to make lavender. Bred back to a lavender they would produce lavender and bred to a split they would have a 50% chance at more lavender. Just like your genes are split from your mom and dad to you.

Mary, it isn't easy but I do it full time so it is all I have to keep up with. My house stays a wreck and my barn is never as clean as it used to be before I got chick happy but I enjoy it and though it works me to death I feel I am earning something of a living on property that I am trying to own.

So glad you are enjoying the chicks. I bet they have grown like weeds. Is that 3rd one looking like a Cochin or a Silkie? I remember wondering if I got an egg wrong when I saw what had hatched from under the hens. Those hens are sitting on eggs again! I have 3 broody hens in the Silkie pen and there are only 5 hens!

Really, I do not care unless they get too silly and kick the eggs out of the nest to get chilled.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Quote:
So you don't find the Polish to be skittish or flighty? Or maybe you are more used to it?
I had a pair here for about 2 weeks holding for someone that wanted them and they were nuts! I handled them every day to take them out to isolation and then put them back in the room at night but they were just as crazed on day one as day 14 and never got used to my touch.
Most birds calm down with me handling them after just a few days. Those 2 blue Ameraucana were flipping out at Morganton and I thought they would give me fits but just a few days after they were here they would practically jump up to get me to carry them in and out every day. Now they are big old pets and lovely girls. I wish the Polish would have gotten better. I like the looks of the Polish but I don't want spazzy birds.

Karen, enjoy your trip to FL. I know the kids will love it! You are so great to drive a lot for your kids. Be careful and watch that crazy weather. At least no dogs or birds are going! LOL And I am hoping you will have a 'bator when you get home!

 

[foxygoober]

We definitely have 5 roo's . . .now to wait and see what the other 49 are

Hoping for girls, we wont be keeping roos.

So the sun will come out soon, right? Hubby said something about a chance of snow. My plants would not like that!

 

[emptynester]

Quote:
Thanks Nadine! The more I read, the more I realize how much I have to learn!!

 

[Lroach711]

DH's cousin is looking into building her a small chicken coop. She's interested in getting a few barred rock hens & possibly a couple of another breed. Any suggestions on a friendly breed that is a good layer? I have my favs but I figured I'd get others opinions. Also does anyone know of someone in the upstate area that raises barred rocks? Thanks!

 

[tigercreek]

I really like Australorps. Hard to find a gentler or quieter bird, and they are very good layers. Dominicker3284 and Dipsy doodle doo have Rocks. Dom is in Trenton and Dipsy is in Aiken. .........stan

Quote:

 

[Joycats]

Quote:
I have barred rocks and I'm in Spartanburg County.

 

[Joycats]

Quote:
So you don't find the Polish to be skittish or flighty? Or maybe you are more used to it?
I had a pair here for about 2 weeks holding for someone that wanted them and they were nuts! I handled them every day to take them out to isolation and then put them back in the room at night but they were just as crazed on day one as day 14 and never got used to my touch.
Most birds calm down with me handling them after just a few days. Those 2 blue Ameraucana were flipping out at Morganton and I thought they would give me fits but just a few days after they were here they would practically jump up to get me to carry them in and out every day. Now they are big old pets and lovely girls. I wish the Polish would have gotten better. I like the looks of the Polish but I don't want spazzy birds.

Karen, enjoy your trip to FL. I know the kids will love it! You are so great to drive a lot for your kids. Be careful and watch that crazy weather. At least no dogs or birds are going! LOL And I am hoping you will have a 'bator when you get home!

Hey Nadine, I know what you mean about "wild" chicks. That's how I feel about the marans, they seem to be the craziest chicks to grow into such calm, friendly birds. As for my Polish, I think the only time they're "jumpy" is if something spooks them. They don't see well with all those feathers in their face. Otherwise they are just as friendly as any other bird in my experience. Most of mine have been raised here and I do handle my chicks a good bit. I really work to keep them tame and people friendly. My adults are in a breeding pen right now and when I go to open the door, they rush me trying to get out.

They are not afraid of me at all. I probably couldn't get quite as close to them while they're out free ranging but I do go around and put them back in the pen. That's the disadvantage, they're lightweight and they do fly pretty well. Given a choice, mine will perch in a tree rather than going back into their pen. I had them out all summer but I lost one to a hawk so I'm afraid to let them out right now. Working on a bigger yard for them though. They are absolutely the cutest chicks ever. Look at these .... who could resist?

http://joyfulsoundsaviaryandfarm.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=120778553