The 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long

[debs_flock]

Today for me was day six and I candled. I didn't bother looking at the 4 Marans eggs, but I checked the other 26 and they are all growing. The magic of eggs from your own flock instead of shipped!

 

[ozexpat]

Oz -
Thanks for the fantastic charts about the ducks! Really helpful for those new to ducks like me!

Happychooks -
I'm so sorry about your Roo

!!
It's good you caught it before any suffering could be done, I know it had/has to make you feel bad but I think you did the right thing.
Please tell me it gets a tiny but easier as time goes on. I know having chickens meaning having to accept life and death a little differently than havin some other animals as pets but I just get so easily attached.

metzerfarms.com did all the work, I just worked the mouse....but thank you.

I have poured over that chart for hours. I follow the links to each of the breeds they carry and read some more. Then I wonder through BYC reviews and read some more.

This next trip I am hatching some Pekins. In May I will order the Roens and Pekins from Metzer if I cant get locals. They will also sell me guinea fowl eggs as a special need,

 

[Happy Chooks]

Happychooks -
I'm so sorry about your Roo

!!
It's good you caught it before any suffering could be done, I know it had/has to make you feel bad but I think you did the right thing.
Please tell me it gets a tiny but easier as time goes on. I know having chickens meaning having to accept life and death a little differently than havin some other animals as pets but I just get so easily attached.

For the most part, it does get easier. For this cockerel, he was a spare, so he was destined for the freezer anyway - BUT I certainly didn't want him to be hurt or suffer. There are the "special" ones that are the exception. A couple years ago, I lost my favorite girl (and first broody) to a bobcat. I cried for days. I tell myself that they had a great life while they were with me - and focus on the joys of those I still have.

My original hens are 4 years old now, so I'm trying to prepare myself that I will probably start losing them.

 

[Brookhavens]

Thought I'd share this for those of you newer to the injury side of chickens.

I've always known that chickens hide their injuries/pain well, but I didn't realize how much pain they could hide until today. We had a cockerel limping - when I picked him up, I could move his hock joint sideways, and I could feel a popping feeling in the joint, so I assumed that's where the break was. I noticed his limping 2 days ago - and I'm out with my flock A LOT. (just ask my DH) We put him down this morning. I was going to process him for us to eat, until I plucked him.

His leg was broken up high on his thigh, the back leg bone and he was internally bleeding. This boy had to be in some serious pain, though he didn't show it. The only sign was he couldn't put weight on his leg.

I have cooked him and will feed him to my dog.

Warning: Graphic pictures, don't click if you don't want to see.

Aww the poor guy. I couldn't imagine what that must have felt like.

 

[QuirkySue]

Just candled 36 eggs... The first 10 or so I took out and marked the air cell. The rest I shone the candler on top in the incubator since they are in a turner.

4 questionables, two that are probably clear. One reaaally looks like a blood ring, and another possible blood ring. I haven't had one of those yet but will look it up. I left them all in the incubator.

 

[misskeeter]

Can someone tell me if these look like good 14 day air cells?

 

[misskeeter]

And I've definitely lost 11 out of the 30 fancy local eggs... Most of them are clear.... Others have nasty blood ring and obviously dead embryo.... I'm thinking I should call her and tell her that all the polish eggs developed blood rings and quit around day 6-8.... And all the Mille fluer Cochins were clear) I'd want to know if I were selling hatching eggs.... Thoughts?

 

[hokankai]

I am WAY late, but I'll go along for the ride anyway. This past week I was studying for and taking my national certification exam and didn't have a chance to set in time. But I PASSED so it was definitely worth it

Anyway, I just set 52 eggs for two people.

6 Basque
10 Basque mix
12 Barred Orpingons
12 Jersey Giants
12 Dark Cornish

 

[TheH Klan of 10]

Thought I'd share this for those of you newer to the injury side of chickens. I've always known that chickens hide their injuries/pain well, but I didn't realize how much pain they could hide until today. We had a cockerel limping - when I picked him up, I could move his hock joint sideways, and I could feel a popping feeling in the joint, so I assumed that's where the break was. I noticed his limping 2 days ago - and I'm out with my flock A LOT. (just ask my DH) We put him down this morning. I was going to process him for us to eat, until I plucked him. His leg was broken up high on his thigh, the back leg bone and he was internally bleeding. This boy had to be in some serious pain, though he didn't show it. The only sign was he couldn't put weight on his leg. I have cooked him and will feed him to my dog. Warning: Graphic pictures, don't click if you don't want to see.

Spoiler: Warning: Graphic pictures

That's terrible ... Sorry I didn't realize they hid pain... Thanks for sharing!

Hello my name is Amy and I have a chicken addiction! My 2 youngest are 15 & 17. I am feeling emptynest big time but filling it with chickens. In the last 30 days I have hatched 13 chicks, bought 13 EE chicks, 6 Cochin chicks and have 33 eggs for the hatchalong. Today at atwoods a local farm store I bought 6 golden comet chicks (I buy these every year for my layer flock they lay huge eggs. ) then at our local auction tonight I came home with 4 lf Cochins. All this ontop of the 30 some adult birds I have already. Signed The crazy chicken lady

I have a 14 yr D and 17 yr son I also have smaller ones though so no empty nest for me lol But I think all the time what will I do with myself once they are grown ... I am glad you have chickens to keep you busy I am sure this addiction will also carry me through lol

 

[michaelf]

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE !!! have a great Sunday. Sitting here watching DIY network and drinking my coffee
If anyone has a Sam's near them try some of their brand coffee. It's members mark Columbian in a red bag.It is some of the best coffee I have tried. And the bag is really good size and less that 15 dollars. I grind my own. But you can get it ground. It is awesome.