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

[mlm Mike]

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[sasafras4u2]

Guess I ain't so good at that countin thang either. I only have one coop and run. Coop is 8x10 with a loft the run is 16x32. Exactly how many chickens will fit? I have to add more roosts. Then consider building a new coop maybe out in the fenced acre. It is totally enclosed but not the top. I could section it off for specific breeding areas to get pure breed pens. And... and... oh my the possibilities..... yay for chicken math. Anxiously waiting on my very first pips......

 

[Lozuufy]

Quote:

I will definitely share pics from the build!!! I'm going to make a page but for now, here's our progress today









With assistance from our handy dandy canine assistant, Gator. He's in charge of distributing kisses and boosting morale

Awesome!

More teensie babies!
...& I think I can fit a couple of these in...

Yes, you can definitely fit some of those in the incubator

 

[arconfederate]

Good morning all. Well, I may be done with the April HAL. I candled this weekend on day 10 and am down to 2 developing, 5 blood rings and 3 clear. I knew that shipped eggs could be problematic and they are. I may try again with eggs from a different source. I wish I could find Icelandics locally but it's difficult to find any fertile eggs locally. I'll be going to our local trade day/flea market this weekend and take a look at the chicken row.

On a funny note, a dog got after one of my young hens and chased her under my shop. I tried to coax her out to no avail so I got one of the other hens and got her to clucking and peeping (they're still very young and just starting to sound henlike). That didn't work. It was getting dark and I thought to myself "Self, she'll stay under there until the morning." A few minutes later, there's a brown streak running across the backyard. Chicken being chased by the dog again. I grab the dog and the hen is now under the back porch. I'm half way under the porch, clucking at the chicken. My wife says that I looked like the scene from the Wizard of Oz where the house feel on the witch and her feet were sticking out. Anyway, the chicken finally ran out, ran up next to me and pressed up as close as she could to me. "Save me Daddy!"

All's well that ends well. Any advice on how to train a dog to ignore the chickens?

 

[mlm Mike]

Good morning all. Well, I may be done with the April HAL. I candled this weekend on day 10 and am down to 2 developing, 5 blood rings and 3 clear. I knew that shipped eggs could be problematic and they are. I may try again with eggs from a different source. I wish I could find Icelandics locally but it's difficult to find any fertile eggs locally. I'll be going to our local trade day/flea market this weekend and take a look at the chicken row.

On a funny note, a dog got after one of my young hens and chased her under my shop. I tried to coax her out to no avail so I got one of the other hens and got her to clucking and peeping (they're still very young and just starting to sound henlike). That didn't work. It was getting dark and I thought to myself "Self, she'll stay under there until the morning." A few minutes later, there's a brown streak running across the backyard. Chicken being chased by the dog again. I grab the dog and the hen is now under the back porch. I'm half way under the porch, clucking at the chicken. My wife says that I looked like the scene from the Wizard of Oz where the house feel on the witch and her feet were sticking out. Anyway, the chicken finally ran out, ran up next to me and pressed up as close as she could to me. "Save me Daddy!"

All's well that ends well. Any advice on how to train a dog to ignore the chickens?

Sorry, you are down to 2, I hope those two hatch for you.

I think it depends on breed of dog.

 

[Tchefunky Chick]

Ended up with 8 welsummer hatched.

Clean out hatcher. Dug out my last incubator. Set another batch of turkey eggs yesterday. So now have 100 turkey eggs in incubators.

Had one turkey hen decided she wanted to go broody.

Has been on nest for 2 days on 7 eggs.

That is awesome! Must be a beautiful site to see your broody girl on the nest...
What breed of turkeys?

 

[Balloonjuice]

I've "locked down" the incubator. Did a quick candling of the eggs and most of the air cells had grown since my last check 2 days ago. Placed some water in one of the channels (it's a foam 'bator), covered the screen with that grabby kind of non-adhesive shelf paper and took out the turner - obviously not in that order. Temp came back up to normal fairly quickly. RH stayed low, so I just walked away for now.

How long before I should check again to make sure RH is rising to recommended 65-70% ?

 

[mlm Mike]

I've "locked down" the incubator. Did a quick candling of the eggs and most of the air cells had grown since my last check 2 days ago. Placed some water in one of the channels (it's a foam 'bator), covered the screen with that grabby kind of non-adhesive shelf paper and took out the turner - obviously not in that order. Temp came back up to normal fairly quickly. RH stayed low, so I just walked away for now.

How long before I should check again to make sure RH is rising to recommended 65-70% ?

Did you fill the channel with cold or warm water?

 

[generaldsherman]

Huh what?

The addiction is bad.

Hatched over a hunnit and I can't stop.

Selling and rehoming is getting to be a chore
LOL

Just rehomed 3 Cockerel's yesterday

I did the same thing on Saturday-gave away 1 full-grown and 2 two-week olds to a couple different people.


I think I'll have 3/3 naked neck chicks waiting for me when I get home! Many thanks to Sally and the hatching 101 guide. Finally gave me the willpower to leave the eggs well enough alone; seems to be working, too since one was zipping when I left for work (REALLY didn't want to go; wanted to stay and watch)

 

[Lucky Lemon]

Hi! I'm new to this board.

Just set 7 eggs on April 7, looking for an April 28th hatch day! So exciting!

I have set Creme Legbar, Swedish Flower, and Cornation Sussex.