The 5th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!

[ronott1]

@ronott1 Please change mine to 12 after my 3 surprise chicks today

I updated the digest page with the new numbers.

It is nice to be surprised sometimes!

 

[ddhyland]

Put 2 pair of jeans on so it doesnt hurt THICK JEANS! Boots, again so it doesn't hurt. Go out into the pen, DONT JUMP OR BACK DOWN and flog his butt back (kick him back with the side of your foot) but not hard enough to hurt him just enough to knock him back or off his feet. Keep doing it til you can turn around and walk away without being attacked. Im doing this every time he even threatens to come at me.

Yep tried this and the stupid thing keeps on sneaking up on me. I really don't want to get rid of him - he is good with the girls and takes care of them, but I look like a crazy person when I go out in the back yard, always carrying a stick or rake or something and looking over my shoulder constantly, not to mention kicking that bird when he comes after me. He has huge spurs again too. I am just about tired of putting up with him.

 

[ronott1]

Yep tried this and the stupid thing keeps on sneaking up on me. I really don't want to get rid of him - he is good with the girls and takes care of them, but I look like a crazy person when I go out in the back yard, always carrying a stick or rake or something and looking over my shoulder constantly, not to mention kicking that bird when he comes after me. He has huge spurs again too. I am just about tired of putting up with him.

Get a baked potato, pop it over the spur and twist it off with some pliers. He will need to be separated from them until the nubs are healed but he will not be able to spur you or hurt the girls.

Look up the exact instructions.

Alternatively, you can trim them down with a Dremmel. I would use the dremmel my self.

 

[JennaLynn122]

Yep tried this and the stupid thing keeps on sneaking up on me. I really don't want to get rid of him - he is good with the girls and takes care of them, but I look like a crazy person when I go out in the back yard, always carrying a stick or rake or something and looking over my shoulder constantly, not to mention kicking that bird when he comes after me. He has huge spurs again too. I am just about tired of putting up with him.

hmmm. maybe mine isnt "mean" then just more territorial over his girls?

 

[Sueg4332]

Sueg4332 I hatched (55 chicks) out 78 eggs. unfertile 17, 6 quitters you have me down for 25 chicks Maybe I typed wrong

 

[supermom1185]

I enjoyed following along and reading the great info during this hatch along! I had 5 of my 10 eggs hatch.

 

[ronott1]

Sueg4332 I hatched (55 chicks) out 78 eggs. unfertile 17, 6 quitters you have me down for 25 chicks Maybe I typed wrong

I will change it in the digest.

 

[mlm Mike]

Sueg4332 I hatched (55 chicks) out 78 eggs. unfertile 17, 6 quitters you have me down for 25 chicks Maybe I typed wrong

Where do you see 25?

The spreadsheet says 55
Sueg4332

78​

55​

 

[Junibutt]

Its middle of my Day 20 and I have had my first pip for almost 2 hrs now. However, its just a crack in the shell. I am posting a picture from Willowcreekfarm's website as an example. The crack on my egg is within the air-cell but its just not progressing. Its 9:30 Chicago time so I can still observe for at least 3-4 hrs if needed.

How long before I get worried? I don't see any movement or sound coming from the egg.

 

[MontanaDolphin]

I came home from work today, to my only smooth cochin hen missing. I had kept her because she had such a great character. She was my little butterball.

There were some feathers in a pile, but nothing else. And she was broody too. She would get off her nest just to greet me each night and then run right back to her nest.

I collected all her eggs and stuck them in the incubator, so hoping I got to them in time. 6 fertile eggs went in.

Looks like we are going hunting this weekend.

Oh no!! So sorry!!