The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[speckledhen]

Most of mine over the years have been with broodies, but I hope to have fewer of those in the future. I want to hatch when I want to hatch and broodies like Cricket and her daughter, Dove, are driving me nutso after over a month of sitting and sitting...and sitting.
The Stukel Rocks had the broody gene, but not to any excessive degree. All four of the main hens went broody once or twice, though Ida and Wynette waited until they were each 5 years old to do it. Of Hector's group, I think only Jill ever went broody and she really screwed up that first time. The second time, she wasn't given eggs and snapped out of it fairly early.
I think my preset GQF Genesis is pretty good on heat but the hygro part I don't fully trust so I'm currently calibrating an old analog reptile hygro to see how far it's off, nor not. It is not adjustable,though so I'd have to always remember how far off it is, up or down, and adjust its readings in my head accordingly.

 

[1muttsfan]

The last one I bought was a Brinsea spot check. I have a friend that has an RCOM and haven't needed to use much monitoring equipment, they are very accurate.

 

[speckledhen]

I dont think they even make Spot Check anymore, could not find one anywhere, not even at Brinsea. Both mine were really accurate and fast to register every fluctuation and I'd get another if I could find one.
I did calibrate the analog hygro; it's reading 5% higher than it's supposed to and when I subtract that 5% from the reading in the incubator, I am right on top of the last digital probe thermo/hygro I got. The Genesis is reads too low, about 8-10% on humidity, but the temp is right on target. I think I can manage with the separate hygro and the other one, not sure what that brand is. The temps on that last unbranded one I got are 2* low so can't depend on it for that. If I could have just one thermo/hygro that was accurate on both, I'd be thrilled.

 

[speckledhen]

Just got an email from Jamie Duckworth:

Cynthia
I am going to wait on shipping and see how many eggs I get tomorrow. The cold last week really slowed them down and I want to make sure I get you some extras. I'll check in tomorrow and let you know how things go.

I told him that was fine because the new incubator I ordered was slower to be shipped than it should have been so won't likely get here until Thursday or even Friday anyway. And I want those extras, of course. My Hovabator Genesis is already humming, adjusted the hygrometer on it to jibe better with the calibrated analog hygro in there.

This is the incubator coming from an Ebay seller, new in box: MatiCoopX 30 Egg

 

[1muttsfan]

I like it that he is not in a big yank to get your eggs out. And a week or two one way or the other is no big thing really. Now that the days are getting longer he'll get more and better eggs.

 

[speckledhen]

I like it that he is not in a big yank to get your eggs out. And a week or two one way or the other is no big thing really. Now that the days are getting longer he'll get more and better eggs.

I agree. I want the best chance for the most to hatch after shipping and for the best fertility. Fertility in his test hatches was great, but we had a terrible cold spell, as you know, at least for our area. We're playing it by ear to see how they lay Monday, but if he doesn't have enough collected or he feels it would be better to wait until next Monday, I told him that we'll roll with it. I'll have time to become familiar with the new incubator as well. I told him it was his decision that Iwas fine with it either way. He's been responsive to my emails and we've chatted a bit.
Most times I see several highly respected breeders mentioned together, I see the names Marvin Stukel, Jamie Duckworth and Guy Roy (Hector's line had some Guy Roy lineage, I understand). I think that Jamie's birds have some Stukel lineage so good things come to those who wait...can't rush perfection, as they say! All that said, I'm stoked to see my new chicks in that brooder. Patience is not my strong suit, but I'm trying to get better about that.

By the way, our first three days of this week have highs in the 60's so I think Bodie may be able to go outside and commune with his peeps (through the dog cage wire, of course-he can't fight with these other roosters and I think Dane would definitely try.)

 

[speckledhen]

My new incubator should be here Wednesday by FedEx and likely the eggs will be shipped next Monday unless he got a lot of eggs today into tomorrow. Next week is fine, though, leaves me time to try the new bator hands-on.

 

[speckledhen]

I forgot to tell you that, two days ago, Jill produced an egg two full years after I recall her last one. And she's laying another one now. Amazing how they can go that long without it and you think they're done for good, especially at almost 9 years old as Jill is, then suddenly out of the blue, she's laying again.

The incubator got held up in Ohio, just sticking around, but is supposed to be here tomorrow/Friday.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've gotten those random eggs out of my old hens. I can't imagine it's pleasant after not laying for a good long while.

 

[1muttsfan]

Better out than in though, right?