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

[ImpulsiveFarmer]

My Golden Cuckoo Marans. I'm planning to hatch out some more of these and hopefully some Partridge Rocks for the hatch-a-long. Maybe some more Narragansett turkeys as well. I have a batch of those hatching next week.

 

[LadyCluck77]

Sally, sorry for your loss. I love reading all of your wisdom.


I have a general question about vaccines for chicks. When you folks hatch, do you vaccinate for Mareks, and for any others as well? Also, in a typical back yard flock, is it worth it to invest in a mister vaccine administrator, like what the large hatcheries use, or just learn to do the needle method? I read to insert the needle in the neck skin, but some people say the thigh is better.
TSC had never heard of Mareks vaccine, but they sell lots of other vaccines. I noticed Jeffers pet supply will sell it.

 

[ImpulsiveFarmer]

Sally, sorry for your loss. I love reading all of your wisdom.

I have a general question about vaccines for chicks. When you folks hatch, do you vaccinate for Mareks, and for any others as well? Also, in a typical back yard flock, is it worth it to invest in a mister vaccine administrator, like what the large hatcheries use, or just learn to do the needle method? I read to insert the needle in the neck skin, but some people say the thigh is better.
TSC had never heard of Mareks vaccine, but they sell lots of other vaccines. I noticed Jeffers pet supply will sell it.

I've never vaccinated and I've never had an issue. I don't think it's worth it just for a small backyard operation.

 

[chicken pickin]

X2.... I have a dream of housing an unlimited # of chickens in one building, and at night they all walk in, roost, and I shut 1 door.

I will have this one day!! I swear!

I hope you do!


I have this same dream. My Mom tell me everyday to build a barn. My dad and I could do it no problem, just a matter of money, not sure why we don't have any

. Anyone know where to buy those trees that our elders always spoke of when we were younger? I think I need to plant a few and grow me some money, then I could have enough money to build a barn.

 

[ronott1]

Sally, sorry for your loss. I love reading all of your wisdom.

I have a general question about vaccines for chicks. When you folks hatch, do you vaccinate for Mareks, and for any others as well? Also, in a typical back yard flock, is it worth it to invest in a mister vaccine administrator, like what the large hatcheries use, or just learn to do the needle method? I read to insert the needle in the neck skin, but some people say the thigh is better.
TSC had never heard of Mareks vaccine, but they sell lots of other vaccines. I noticed Jeffers pet supply will sell it.

Hatcheries vaccinate the eggs for Mareks.

Most Breeders do not vaccinate for Mareks--they breed for resistance.

 

[SilkieSensation]

Well I figured out exactly why my last hatch didn't hatch - temp was WAY TOO high.  Set up the 'bator back in the "office" room like when I hatched last year after getting it all squeaky clean and dry with the new thermo inside.  Powered it up and came back about an hour later to 104 temp inside!  Holy crap!  Had the knob set exactly where it was set during the end of the last hatch when using the thermo that came with the thing.  Just looked and realized that at some point, the bulb on my original analog thermo came unglued from the backing and the whole tube had slid! When I measured the amount it was slid, it was about the same distance from 99.5 to 104! I cooked my poor babies!  

New digital thermo is working like a charm.  I'm gonna reset it's high/low values before I set eggs so I can check to see if I've had unexpected temp drops or spikes while I'm away from it. I decided to move away from using the wells for water too.  I've got a small mason jar in there right now with water.  I'll probably go back to using the wells if I put the turner in and will for sure during hatch.  I think I might need a chunk of sponge in the jar for surface area though cause it's awful dry this time of year and I've got only 30% or so humidity in there.  I think I'd like a smidge more to prevent air sacs from getting out of control.

Also, whomever suggested using that rubbery shelf liner from the dollar store, I took your idea.  I think it will help to keep the eggs from rolling all around so much and I got enough to line it for two hatches (I'm hoping it will catch a majority of the crud during hatch and can be peeled out and chucked to aid in faster cleaning). 

Thinking of asking the guy I sold one of our roos to (the one who I was trying to hatch his offspring and cooked them instead) if he will sell me some eggs.  He has some lovely little Seramas and he's crossing them with my Red Pyle Old English Game roo.  Those are gonna be lookers. (hubby's idea so he can't be mad if I do a special hatch just for those right?) 

That shelf liner is reusable. Just toss in washer & hang to dry or handwash & dry.

 

[michaelf]

Here is a picture of my olive egger girl and her 4 babies. 2 black copper/ cuckoo cross and 2 HRIR !

 

[michaelf]

Here is a picture of my broody blue copper hen! Must be something in the water.lol
I took the eggs out from under her and put 10 BC/Cuckoo under her.

 

[Gardeningmama]

Quote:

When you find them, send a few my way. I live in Pa. I'll pay shipping!

 

[mlm Mike]

Who has Heritage RIR in North East? Any suggestions? My dogs just got my last RIR

and I would like to keep some in with my CCL

Sorry about your RIR Sally. I hope you are able to find some replacements.

Hello everyone,

This is my first ever hatch a long and first time hatching eggs, count me in!!!

Welcome!

My surprise for this morning

Very cute. I was bald to hear both are "eating" now.
ETA: Nursing,that is the word I was looking for!

Thank you...

That was fast. Just went to check on it, and sure enough, the electrolytes was too much for it. At least it died in a quiet place. Cute little thing, wish I could have ducks.

I'm sorry. Ducklings are very cute.

LOVE the baby goats! We're expecting some soon as well.

Cheese cave/wine fridge: Actually not much is needed to modify the wine fridge. The temperature range is already good (unlike a mini dorm-style fridge.) Just add a water tray to the bottom to pump up the humidity... Much like an incubator. Shallow tray with more surface area work best, and add sponges if needed to get it up to 90-95%.

Thanks you, the cheese cave/wine fridge sounds simple enough, I shouldn't even be able to mess it up.