The 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long

[eweaber]

Completely forgot to notify that I set 12 eggs for the hatch. Not sure who to notify so I am posting it here.

 

[Arielle]

Y'all are making me nuts - I keep wondering how folks can have anything hatching when we only set eggs on Saturday. I know, I know, but I'm old and easily confused.

Normally, my Brinsea Octagon Advance EX incubator is stupid proof enough for me to forget until lockdown, but Twice now, I've heard the humidity pump just going, and going... When I checked it, the tubing from the pump has been pulled off the more rigid tube to the incubator. The first time, I moved the pump to a better, closer location RIGHT next to the 'bator, thinking it was pulling off the flexible tubing at the far ends of the turning cycle.

The second time, it made NO sense at all to have been disconnected like that.

Then I noticed two eggs immediately behind and almost under the turner cradle. Fresh eggs. And a single, barred rock feather....

Belinda BR has been sneaking into the house to lay her egg! She comes through the door to the deck, which is left open during the day for house silkie Sparkle to go outside into the FENCED garden for her constitutional. (Sparkle hatched four chicks over the weekend, and is raising them in the brooder bin in the office, under the incubator table.)

So sneaky Belinda "must have heard" Beth and Punkin lay thir eggs in the house - the clean linen bin and the dogs' bed, respectively - before I put them outside all day. She was one of the chicks hatched in last year's Easter Hatch-a-long, and like regular chickens, has been outside ever since she was eight weeks old or so. Beth BR and Punkin BO are starting to check out the main coop during the day - they recently discovered there's feed out there, and more than just what has been served in a small feeder for them and Sparkle. They stay out later and later every day before they tap at the French door windows. Eventually, I won't let them back into the house at night.

But at least I have solved the mystery of the disconnected humidity pump.

 

[rarebear]

x2 I don't think you have to toss any eggs at all during the whole process unless they are leaking or really smelly. There's a different smell from if your eggs have poo on them after they warm up, then a rotten smelly egg. I'm pretty sure you could smell the difference, that is if you can smell.(sopme people like my DH have lost this ability.
From my understanding, people toss eggs to make more room, for when they do staggered hatches and such. The candleing, is really for our enjoyment to see veining and embryo's but mostly to check the air cell to see if you need to up the humidity or lower it. But then again, I've never had an egg explode and I left them in all the way until hatch is done. I think if they aren't leaking or smelly you can leave them in. anyone can correct me if I'm wrong here.

and THANK YOU your chickies are adorable

 

[Arielle]

Quote: THese are the most difficult to candle. I watch for air cell devleopment, making sure that is on track; then look to see if the developing chick fills the egg, blocking all light. Kind of goes from dark to darker. Candling pale eggs is much easier.

 

[loves2hatch]

the meat is less per bird but way better per pound of feed,

they mature in a few weeks

the eggs are used as garnishes in many asian dishes

they can be kept in a relatively small cage

they dont crow

cotornix quails wont set, and arent native so releasing them into wild is irresponsible.

I agree releasing a quail into the wild is like releasing a chicken into the wild. You would just be feeding the wild life. I think DNR's have released bob white to raise the population around here but they have release pens and such and tag them. I think the male bob's have a prettier crow, but they are slower to mature then coturnix. I think most people love the eggs and the meat that raise them. My father loves spicy pickled eggs and the quail eggs are perfect size for that. 5-6 quail eggs equal 1 large chicken egg.
like OZ says less feed, less room needed ect. button, valley ect. I think they are just show/pets. not sure with those.

 

[TheH Klan of 10]

Question for you quail hatchers.  I am curious as to why people hatch/raise quail?  They seem kind of flighty to me to be a pet, not as colorful as chickens, eggs to small to make a good omelet and a whole lot a work for a little bit of meat.  Do you release them into the wild?  Just curious because I see so many people doing it and thinking am I missing something?  Is this a new "breed" I must have? lol

X2

 

[CayuseRanch]

I agree releasing a quail into the wild is like releasing a chicken into the wild. You would just be feeding the wild life. I think DNR's have released bob white to raise the population around here but they have release pens and such and tag them. I think the male bob's have a prettier crow, but they are slower to mature then coturnix. I think most people love the eggs and the meat that raise them. My father loves spicy pickled eggs and the quail eggs are perfect size for that. 5-6 quail eggs equal 1 large chicken egg.
like OZ says less feed, less room needed ect. button, valley ect. I think they are just show/pets. not sure with those.

So people are raising them primarily for eggs and meat just like chickens and the occasional show/pet as well. Interesting.

 

[Bama1]

X2

To quote my 75 year old father, and a long time quail hunter, "Quail is some of the best eatin' you'll ever taste".

 

[Arielle]

i have eggs due on the 25th. the shipped eggs took a week to get here and the po smashed them up. they called me to pick up because postie would not pick them up.48 frank reece eggs.scrambled

i am out of the competition

What a loss!!!!! Hope you will reorder from him. What had you ordered?
I've been thinking about his NEw Hampshires. Trying a few meat birds this spring for comparisons.

 

[Shellz]

I've also heard that Jumbo Guinea fowl are also delicious. I am thinking about those for next spring. Best fowl I have personally had was the muscovy duck. Dee-licious!!! One nasty drake made for a great meal for our small family of 3. With leftovers for my lunch next day.