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

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I candled some of the unpipped eggs. Three or so have live chicks in the air cells. Two, correction, four, are goners. The rest are pipped. Here are the first pictures. I'm beginning to think my pre-set incubator has become off in some way, maybe I need to bump up the temp a few tenths of a degree.
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Look at all those cute chicks. How exciting.

I think I'm gonna try my incubator. It seems like a simpler option to me this year. I have 2 weeks to get more broody bantams, or I use the incubator. I don't want to mess with my big broodies.

 

[speckledhen]

We tried the broomstick once and it didn't work. Don't even ask about that day. It was awful.

Still waiting on late hatching chicks, but here are pics of the other hoodlums.

 

[1muttsfan]

Just got notified my chicks shipped today from Sand Hill. Sure wish spring had arrived first! And that they were a little closer to my hatch day. Time to set up a brooder.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Also rather gruesome.

We tried the broomstick once and it didn't work. Don't even ask about that day. It was awful.

I've heard more than one person say that they tried the broomstick and not being able to do it effectively, so it makes me nervous. In fact, the more I think about it, I don't like the idea of any kind of execution, but I guess it must be done sometimes for an ailing bird.

So, @speckledhen and @oldhenlikesdogs , when you have an adult bird that needs to be put out of their misery, what method do you (or your husband) use?

This video shows how we've been taught to do meat birds (we did it by hanging by the feet rather than in a cone). However, I'm even balking at that to be honest. I just despise killing anything myself though I've done it. And if I do kill, I want it to be with the least pain and trauma.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Just got notified my chicks shipped today from Sand Hill. Sure wish spring had arrived first! And that they were a little closer to my hatch day. Time to set up a brooder.

Oh they will be traveling through some cold weather. Hopefully they will do okay.

 

[speckledhen]

Does anyone object to more cute chick pics? Anyone? If so, please avert your eyes so as to avoid the cuteness overload!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's a passel of cuteness. Love the feeder stander.

 

[speckledhen]

That's a passel of cuteness. Love the feeder stander.

Knee deep in food, that's a Brahma for you.

I have a weird issue. Brandy, who is on Day 10 or so with her eggs, has a bloated crop. WTH is up with that? I know I let them free range a lot more lately, but what she could get out there that would affect her is beyond me. None of the other birds have been affected. There is no wet feed here anywhere to mold. Sigh. She already isn't eating much so now she can't eat at all for a couple of days. Why can't things just be as trouble free as they used to be?

Sue, as for culling, I rarely ever do it unless it's a dire situation. And it varies depending on how much fight is left in the bird. Holding an ether-soaked rag over the nares is an overdose of anesthetic, but unless they're already almost dead or can't fight you for some other reason, that is hard to do on an adult chicken. I just rarely ever kill one.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Maybe any crop issues are exasperated by a hen setting and not moving? How frustrating.

 

[speckledhen]

Maybe any crop issues are exasperated by a hen setting and not moving? How frustrating.

I'm sure it doesn't help, but how it started is a mystery. I'm not sure when it started, either, if it was a little bloaty before she started sitting. And she's on Day 11 today, not 10. I checked the calendar.