The 6th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!

[KYTinpusher]

I wasn't going to.................said I would only hatch under a broody...............then a predator got one of my males...............and I want offspring from him, because he was my top male...................still said I wasn't going to...............but.....................I set 23 Welsummer eggs.

And yes, I took 2 out of the fridge, cuz they were pretty, as you can see in the picture.

It wasn't my fault, someone twisted my arm - had a gun to my head - the Easter Bunny made me do it. It's a fertility test, yeah, that's it. And they are too pretty to eat. Think my DH will buy it?

Direct sunlight, getting ready to go in the Brinsea.


This picture shows their color more correctly.

So sorry for your loss!

I lost my top roo a couple of weeks ago to complications from a hawk attack, so I am right there with you. Losing your best stock to a predator REQUIRES you to set the last eggs that may have been fertilized by him - it's CHICKEN LAW. As a BYC Moderator, we can't have you breaking Chicken Law, now can we.

If DH doesn't like it, he can just busy himself making the coops and runs more predator proof. Tell him I said so!

BTW - Very pretty eggs!

 

[Math]

Hey! I got that incubator as well, how well does it work out for you?

A lot of people don't like the Little Giant still air incubator. However it works pretty well for me. I hatched 32 chicks in each of two different incubations last Summer. Last year was my first year hatching chicks with an incubator and I have learned a lot. Incubating and hatching chicks is fun.

I would like to suggest that keeping the temperature in the Little Giant is difficult. One thing I do is tape the seam around the lid with masking tape to prevent heat leaking out. When I need to go into the incubator I go through the windows on the top of the incubator. Even when I need to remove the lid it is worth it to loosen the tape and then re-stick the tape.

I also, monitor the temperature at the egg level (beside the eggs) to make sure it is about 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit. For me to achieve that temperature I calibrate my thermometers. I keep the temperature at the top of the eggs at 102 to Farenheit.

Have fun.

 

[LadyCluck77]

Looks yummy. Have you ever baked your St. Paddy's Day Corned Beef? -DB

I have, and really, corned beef is always awesome, my husband looks forward to March just for this. He gets a special glow...

Me too. This was him at the Stockton show:

He is very impressive! His sons may look a lot like him.

 

[Math]

I have another request for chicks.

And the fun continues.

 

[Peep-Chicken]

A lot of people don't like the Little Giant still air incubator. However it works pretty well for me. I hatched 32 chicks in each of two different incubations last Summer. Last year was my first year hatching chicks with an incubator and I have learned a lot. Incubating and hatching chicks is fun.

I would like to suggest that keeping the temperature in the Little Giant is difficult. One thing I do is tape the seam around the lid with masking tape to prevent heat leaking out. When I need to go into the incubator I go through the windows on the top of the incubator. Even when I need to remove the lid it is worth it to loosen the tape and then re-stick the tape.

I also, monitor the temperature at the egg level (beside the eggs) to make sure it is about 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit. For me to achieve that temperature I calibrate my thermometers. I keep the temperature at the top of the eggs at 102 to Farenheit.

Have fun.

I agree, from experience with mine.

 

[Happy Chooks]

So sorry for your loss!

I lost my top roo a couple of weeks ago to complications from a hawk attack, so I am right there with you. Losing your best stock to a predator REQUIRES you to set the last eggs that may have been fertilized by him - it's CHICKEN LAW. As a BYC Moderator, we can't have you breaking Chicken Law, now can we.

If DH doesn't like it, he can just busy himself making the coops and runs more predator proof. Tell him I said so!

BTW - Very pretty eggs!

Yeah, it stinks to lose your best male. (sorry for you too) Unfortunately, the Welsummer run is also my orchard, so I can't cover it. I haven't had an issue in a long time and this was a daytime attack. But, spring is in the air, and the predators are having their babies.

 

[LadyHawkeAvry]

Me too. This was him at the Stockton show:

Wowza that's a nice roo! I'm so sorry you lost him!

 

[suebgbr]

What is a 'corned beef'? If I asked my butcher he would sell me a tin of squashed up shredded meat and fat made by Princes or something!

 

[bamadude]

Me too. This was him at the Stockton show:

I would keep my eye on the creeper in the back. He looks like he is up to no good

 

[LadyCluck77]

What is a 'corned beef'? If I asked my butcher he would sell me a tin of squashed up shredded meat and fat made by Princes or something!

It's a cut of beef brisket, brined in spices like peppercorns, salt, and herbs.
We Americans eat it on St. Patrick 's day because we believe it is a traditional Irish dish..... But if you're in England you may know differently.