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

[speckledhen]

We ended up taking in 3 chicks tonight lol. A neighbor’s daughter was given them as an Easter gift from a teen boy. Obviously he didn’t realize they are not good gifts for someone who has no knowledge or supplies to care for them lol. Since we had everything to care for them (except chick feed, which another neighbor luckily had) we volunteered to take them. Not even sure what kind they are, white leghorn or broilers, who knows. Guessing they’re about 2 weeks based on the feathers.

I really, really, REALLY wish people would quit doing that! Ack! But, thankfully, you were there to the rescue. Could be white Rocks, too. You'll know soon enough, I guess.

The incubator eggs are on Day 7. Thankfully, though every time I am incubating eggs, we have a power outage (none so far), now we have the portable Kodiak generator which is charged and ready. It would run an incubator for a long time, I'd think, since it will run a big refrigerator for over a day.

DH informed me that the rabbit cage I was counting on for my brooder is missing all except one clip that holds the cage top on the base. It's been on the deck disassembled and I was not aware that it was not ready to reassemble for chicks. So, I have to scramble to either find some way to get it to stay together or find something else to brood them inside for a couple of weeks until I can get them out to another building with a heat lamp. If close to all 27 hatch, no way they'd fit in a rabbit cage for long! When Hector's group and the Brahmas hatched, they were in there, but there were 21 at that time. But, who knows how many will hatch this time? After all, it's not one of my very reliable broody hens, right?

 

[getaclue]

Would zip ties work in place of the clips, until you can get replacements?

You and I both know that, because you are not totally prepared, every egg is going to hatch. Murphy's Law.

 

[speckledhen]

Would zip ties work in place of the clips, until you can get replacements?

You and I both know that, because you are not totally prepared, every egg is going to hatch. Murphy's Law.

I thought of zips, but they have nothing to zip to on the base. Maybe if the one clip will work, then zipping the corners together would keep the cage part together since it sits on a little ledge. I'll try that.

Yeah, I know re: Murphy's Law. That would mean they'd have to go out to a barn pen or little coop after one week rather than two and I'd rather they stay inside two, just to make sure they're all doing well. But, we'll see.

 

[kitkat5505]

We zip tied our rabbit cage at first because we didn’t have wire clip pliers. That’s what we used for a brooder last year. If the base doesn’t work have a place to zip tie too you could maybe drill a couple small holes on each side?

I’m trying to figure out what to do for the 3 we just got now because the tote they are in will get outgrown soon but I don’t want to deal with the rabbit cage again (it was a pain to clean and feed with just a little door to go through lol). And then figure out how and when to integrate them with the hens. I’m going to run to TSC to get some chick stuff today and see what chicks they have because they were most likely bought there.

 

[speckledhen]

We zip tied our rabbit cage at first because we didn’t have wire clip pliers. That’s what we used for a brooder last year. If the base doesn’t work have a place to zip tie too you could maybe drill a couple small holes on each side?

I’m trying to figure out what to do for the 3 we just got now because the tote they are in will get outgrown soon but I don’t want to deal with the rabbit cage again (it was a pain to clean and feed with just a little door to go through lol). And then figure out how and when to integrate them with the hens. I’m going to run to TSC to get some chick stuff today and see what chicks they have because they were most likely bought there.

My husband just said that's what he could do, great minds think alike! Appreciate the suggestion. Yeah, the rabbit cage is not the ideal brooder, but it's all we have at the moment. I like that it has a plastic bottom which makes cleaning easier because it may have to go in my quilt room (yeah, not quite ideal there, eh?).

 

[kitkat5505]

My husband just said that's what he could do, great minds think alike! Appreciate the suggestion. Yeah, the rabbit cage is not the ideal brooder, but it's all we have at the moment. I like that it has a plastic bottom which makes cleaning easier because it may have to go in my quilt room (yeah, not quite ideal there, eh?).

Ours are in the tote in our bathtub lol. No good place to put them anywhere else away from kids and pets. Last year we used the garage but we’re remodeling and our garage is full of cabinets and wood and junk. Our rabbit cage has a wire bottom, which made everything a mess.

 

[speckledhen]

I said that the best way to get a broody was to start incubating eggs. Now, Brandy, Thea AND MaryJo are all clucking! ACK! No one is sitting yet. I'll let Brandy sit. Thea raised chicks last year once so she's experienced. MaryJo would be a newbie. I'm not sure I want either of them to sit, to be honest. You know another Brahma or two will go broody as well.

 

[MistyMountain]

Send some of those broody vibes my way! I just got my incubator fixed and up and running. It needed a whole new motor (under warranty). Now hopefully this new motor is as spot on as the last one was! I don't need anymore chickens... but I owe someone two pullets this spring on a barter for a nice carhartt jacket for my oldest. Another lady asked me about pullets after sending a thank-you message on "the Facebook" (as my husband calls it) after I walked her through the steps we used to rehab our dog from chicken killer to chicken guardian. They worked for her, too, which makes me feel good.


I'd so rather let a broody do this, though!

Oh! We sold our 7 month old calves! We no longer have "cattle" and now just a heifer. She is looking more round these days! Countdown to teeny tiny dexter baby in September!

Chores just got sooo much easier!

 

[MistyMountain]

Pic was supposed to be added to last post. I am still so confused by BYC since the change. Not so user friendly, IMO. GRR.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

View attachment 1321474

Pic was supposed to be added to last post. I am still so confused by BYC since the change. Not so user friendly, IMO. GRR.

I see no fence. Do they not wander?