"Springing in the Chicks" 2016 April Hatch-a-Long Hosted by Mike & Sally

[Brittsplace]

Silkies are a blast. Full of big chicken attitude.

I used to worry that my other chickens would pick on my silkies but my buff rules the coop. When she is at the feeder or in a nest box the girls literally line up until she is done but they never rush her or peck at her I think she is towards the top of the pecking order.

 

[lindalouly]

Good morning all and welcome to the new recruits. I will add you to the list.

 

[mlm Mike]

Good morning all and welcome to the new recruits. I will add you to the list.

Good Morning!

 

[Pensmaster]

 I used to worry that my other chickens would pick on my silkies but my buff rules the coop. When she is at the feeder or in a nest box the girls literally line up until she is done but they never rush her or peck at her I think she is towards the top of the pecking order.

Tough little critters. I had some awhile back but something got to them. So I was going to get some eggs from the guy I had given some to before I lost mine. But they were broody. No eggs for this hatch.
Once when I let mine out for the first time so they could free range while I worked in garden it took over an hour for them to leave the coop. The rooster was the first one out and he bolted out running about 20 feet coming to a screeching halt and stood there looking around not moving. It was like wow this place is bigger than I thought. I had to pick him up and put him back. Just to overwhelming for him I guess.

 

[jphendrix]

I just set 18 eggs in my bator last night, so hatch day will be April 3rd, and then in 7 days I am going to add what I get in that time frame, so the hatch day for them will be April 10th. I have 2 incubators so I am going to incubate in one and hatch in the other. Can't wait for babies. I didn't hatch last year and I wish I would have. I just got 2 pekin ducks friday and can't wait till they start laying and I can hatch some from them. My sister also just got ducks and if I end up with 2 of the same gender she will let me switch one with her!

 

[mlm Mike]

I just set 18 eggs in my bator last night, so hatch day will be April 3rd, and then in 7 days I am going to add what I get in that time frame, so the hatch day for them will be April 10th. I have 2 incubators so I am going to incubate in one and hatch in the other. Can't wait for babies. I didn't hatch last year and I wish I would have. I just got 2 pekin ducks friday and can't wait till they start laying and I can hatch some from them. My sister also just got ducks and if I end up with 2 of the same gender she will let me switch one with her!

Welcome!

 

[Sueg4332]

Question about the Premier brooder? does anyone know how hi is the thermostat set at in degrees? Will it cool down when reaching that temperature?
The reason why is (I aquired some old windows from a old house. This window fits prefixly over my brooder box. I thought maybe it would save on electricity if the brooder box is covered..
I notice the chicks were on the outside of the brooder at 2 AM when I checked on them last night . Happy tho.
Love the premier brooder chicks so much happy then with the lights. I personally think they do better too.

 

[Laurel Meadows]

Hi everyone!
(This is the user formerly known as J&T Ranch lol)
Just getting caught up from a busy weekend! I set 12 of my own Blue Copper & Splash Marans eggs on Friday (my first from my breeder birds woohoo!!) So hope to see them hatch on/around April 1st. I'll also be setting some more lavender/self blue bantam Cochins when the eggs arrive in the next day or so. I wouldn't be surprised if a few more of my Marans eggs jump in the bator then too

We had chicks and juveniles in 5 different areas

But integration is going well so we can move 3 groups this week if we get to it and I'll have an empty brooder when these April chicks arrive!

 

[Pensmaster]

Question about the Premier brooder?  does anyone know how hi is the thermostat set at in degrees?  Will it cool down when reaching that temperature?
The reason why is (I aquired some old windows from a old house.  This window fits prefixly over my brooder box.  I thought maybe it would save on electricity if the brooder box is covered..
I notice the chicks were on the outside of the brooder at 2 AM when I checked on them last night .  Happy tho.
Love the premier brooder chicks so much happy then with the lights.  I personally think they do better too.

Love the one my neighbor lets me use. I will be getting one with the cover on top. I think it stays warm all the time but I don't know the temp. I put it inside a large cardboard box with the chicks and it's never been a problem. The come and go at will. Especially if I scare them it's a perfect hiding place.

 

[Laurel Meadows]

Question about the Premier brooder?  does anyone know how hi is the thermostat set at in degrees?  Will it cool down when reaching that temperature?
The reason why is (I aquired some old windows from a old house.  This window fits prefixly over my brooder box.  I thought maybe it would save on electricity if the brooder box is covered..
I notice the chicks were on the outside of the brooder at 2 AM when I checked on them last night .  Happy tho.
Love the premier brooder chicks so much happy then with the lights.  I personally think they do better too.

I have 3 premier brooder plates. Love them!! I can't find any info in their manual about the actual temp of the plate, but it does have a safety fuse if the plate overheats for some reason.
Sounds like your chicks are very comfortable with the height you have it set!