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

[ellymayRans]

anyone have a good link where you can buy for the merks

This is where I get mine. You'll need the needles too.

http://www.jefferspet.com/products/...84af9fa2600f00000499/533884b09fa2600f000004ab

 

[ronott1]

We have an entry in the fiction short story contest!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-contest-2015-easter-hatchalong#post_14852376

Go read the story and subscribe to the thread. Keep track of your favorite story for voting later.

 

[ronott1]

There will always be a lower hatch rate, but you can use them. The longer they are in there, worse the rate. Let them warm to room tempature before setting then though. Or they 'sweat' and can cause bacteria issues.

After two weeks, eggs stored in the fridge hatch better if they were stored with the small end up.

 

[ellymayRans]

Ah Caleb, you are doing it again!   We will still love to hear about them.  Someone else is hatching emus as well.

I know, right?  I love seeing everyone's entries.  Take your time, the contest runs past Easter.

No.  I've never had an issue with Mareks, and I would rather breed for resistance.

I've considered it but what a gamble. Not sure how you breed for resistance when you don't know you have it until they are already afflicted with symptoms. It's a big debate as are all vaccines animal/humans..etc. Very much a personal preference.

I respect anyone's decision either way.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I've considered it but what a gamble. Not sure how you breed for resistance when you don't know you have it until they are already afflicted with symptoms. It's a big debate as are all vaccines animal/humans..etc. Very much a personal preference.

I respect anyone's decision either way.

I agree, it's a personal preference.

I did a lot of reading on it, and the vaccine doesn't keep them from getting Mareks, it just keeps them from showing symptoms. I just wasn't convinced that vaccinating really did any good. So breeding for resistance, you will lose birds. You breed those that survive. The birds that survive have stronger immunity to pass on to their offspring. I know many breeders that take this approach, and they have good luck with it over time.

 

[judy mclean]

Is it a good idea to wear like latex or plastic gloves to handle incubator eggs

 

[Happy Chooks]

Reminder: Almost time to set those Muscovy eggs!
Quote:

 

[emmyeagle]

Hope my duck will lay soon. Even 1 please M'Lady.

 

[Joshua G]

Is it a good idea to wear like latex or plastic gloves to handle incubator eggs

It depends on your personal preference.
I don't wear any but I do wash my hands after I'm done handling them.
However, if the eggs are a rare type of poultry/bird then I would advise washing your hands BEFORE handling them to prevent extra bacteria from coming in contact with them.
Latex gloves would be quicker than washing but I'm a "tightwad" and don't want to spend the extra few dollars.

 

[Dustystrail]

Hope my duck will lay soon. Even 1 please M'Lady.