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

[ronott1]

Ron was yours a Polish too? I just sold my tom with a bad attitude and a Sultan roo who didn't like my boots. I'm not spending all summer watching out for psycho roo. Although he behaves in a cage. Its while free ranging I get flogged. Specifically when I forget to watch him and walk in the middle of the flock.

He was a Pita Pinta. The others were fine but he was quite something.

 

[Gardeningmama]

Quote:

Increased Deaths​

Malpositions
Sticky Chicks due to unabsorbed Albumen

The effects of turning during a critical period for turning, from 3 to 7 days of incubation, were also recorded. Generally, failure to turn eggs retarded growth of the area vasculosa. Turning during the critical period stimulated the extent of growth of the area vasculosa by day 7 of incubation and of subsequent embryonic growth by day 14. Incubation at low temperature resulted both in reduced expansion of the area vasculosa and retarded embryonic growth in a pattern similar to that observed for unturned eggs. It is suggested that turning stimulates development of blood vessels in the area vasculosa via localized increases in blood pressure.

We were able to demonstrate that it is critical to turn eggs for at least the first three
days of incubation and better for the first seven. READ MORE HERE and HERE

Only add room temperature eggs to your incubator to prevent SWEATING. Sweating/Condensation weakens the egg's natural defense mechanisms, providing an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and penetrated through the shell pores and kill the embryo. Eggs can be laid on their sides or placed in turning tray with pointed end down/big air cell end up. For shipped eggs, please refer to SHIPPED EGGS section of this article.

Mark eggs, using a pencil, with an X on one side and an O on the other. Make sure to turn the eggs at least 3 times a day, or odd number of times. Turning by hand they should always be turned an odd amount of times and move them to a different part of the tray to protect them from temperature variation. You basically roll the eggs with your fingers/palm from X to O. It is important to NOT ROLL the eggs in the same direction every time. Improper rolling can cause the chalazae that holds the yolk in place to tear. Turning the egg prevents the embryo from touching and attaching to the membrane inside the egg. The most convenient way to turn eggs is to purchase an egg turner. Take extra precautions when turning eggs during the first week of incubation. The developing embryos have delicate blood vessels that rupture easily when severely jarred or shaken, thus killing the embryo.


When adding Eggs the temperature will immediately drop. DO NOT ADJUST THE THERMOSTAT, or risk accidentally cooking them. Wait 2/4 hours and if the temperature is still low, make a small adjustment, as small as you can. (Note: Small adjustments on the manual Styrofoam incubators make BIG changes!)

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For anyone joining the Hatch-A-Long and new to hatching....This article by Sally is a MUST READ. Just about any question that might arise throughout the course of a hatch is answered in it. I have read it, and re-read it umpteen times. I've often joked that it should be required reading before embarking on a hatch.

 

[ronott1]

I wouldn't even know how to start processing a bird... I'll just call cousin brad if I need to. ( he's the family hunter) lol

It does take time to get there.

Learn what you can from Your cousin. There is a Processing support thread that really does help.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...hrough-the-emotions-please/3610#post_13176432

 

[Cynthia12]

Good Morning...again.. No snow outside this morning! Yaay!

 

[PAchickenlover]

Slightly chilly out this morning, think it is due to it being damp since it rained yesterday/overnight. Lit the fire in the wood stove to take the chill off. Chicks in the brooder seem happier now too.
I have three ducklings, they are one - two wks old (got from TSC) when can I move them out to my one cage outside that I had planned on putting them in? I will still give them a heat lamp of course so they can warm up if needed. They are outgrowing the plastic tub they are in rather fast and need to be moved into larger quarters.

 

[PAchickenlover]

I wouldn't even know how to start processing a bird... I'll just call cousin brad if I need to. ( he's the family hunter) lol

It does take time to get there.

Learn what you can from Your cousin. There is a Processing support thread that really does help.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...hrough-the-emotions-please/3610#post_13176432

I process my own birds also. Processing them isnt hard, hardest part is getting over culling the birds. After that it is simple. Wish I had a plucker though. Need to work on getting one. Any recommendations?

 

[mollybuck]

Slightly chilly out this morning, think it is due to it being damp since it rained yesterday/overnight. Lit the fire in the wood stove to take the chill off. Chicks in the brooder seem happier now too.
I have three ducklings, they are one - two wks old (got from TSC) when can I move them out to my one cage outside that I had planned on putting them in? I will still give them a heat lamp of course so they can warm up if needed. They are outgrowing the plastic tub they are in rather fast and need to be moved into larger quarters.

i had to move mine out to the shed after about a week.. even with temps down to 8! i just added extra heat lamp. my shed was designed for purposes like that... no drafts at all! my ducks are 2 weeks old and they are huge!!!

 

[Xovan]

I process my own birds also. Processing them isnt hard, hardest part is getting over culling the birds. After that it is simple. Wish I had a plucker though. Need to work on getting one. Any recommendations?

I built a plucker that you attach to a drill. Works great. Less than a minute per bird.

 

[cindynkidsd]

Okay, so I'm chicken! Lol. Think I'll wait til day 10 to candle. I don't want to be depressed if I don't see anything.

 

[PAchickenlover]

I process my own birds also. Processing them isnt hard, hardest part is getting over culling the birds. After that it is simple. Wish I had a plucker though. Need to work on getting one. Any recommendations?

I built a plucker that you attach to a drill. Works great. Less than a minute per bird.

Cool! Can you show it to us?