The Middle Tennessee Thread

[KandiandJerry]

We started out with a 1602N Hovabator and a LG for a hatcher...then we bought 2 more 1602N's from Holly.....they all have auto turners and fans....We thought about a cabinet type but I don't like the idea that if the thermostat goes out or something you would lose all of your eggs.....I can also set the different breeds in the different bators and try and keep them separate.LOL So total we have 3 1602N's and a (Little Giant Still air for a hatcher)..... Yeah if we keep this up we are going to have to close off some more of the barn....but we love it!!!

 

[Countrypunk92]

I have a homade cabinet bator, along with a LIttle giant.

 

[KandiandJerry]

I wouldn't have enough sense to make my own!!!LOL The LG's make great hatchers...you will have to email me a picture of your cabinet bator.....have you ever had any trouble with it?

 

[Countrypunk92]

Quote:
Took me a bit to get hang of it. Now im having 75 percent or more hatch rate.

 

[KandiandJerry]

That is Great.... I PM'd you....K

 

[CarolJ]

Please excuse this mini-rant . . . . We had Thanksgiving dinner tonight at my house for my kids and grandkids. I love them all and we had a wonderful time - but it gets a little tiresome being teased about my chickens and about putting more eggs in the incubator. However, everyone sure enjoyed the cornbread dressing (2 eggs in the cornbread recipe and then 4 eggs in the dressing recipe), the pecan pie (3 eggs in the filling recipe plus one egg in the pie crust recipe), the apple pie (1 egg in the pie crust recipe) and the deviled eggs (8 eggs). And everyone loves all the free eggs they get. My daughter's boyfriend told me about the great 3-egg omelet he made for his breakfast this morning - from the eggs I gave him last week.

It was just good-natured teasing, and no one intended to be mean - and I did my best to be a good sport about it. They all trooped into the guest room to see the incubator, & I asked if they'd like for me to candle one of the eggs so they could see the embryo moving inside - and they were eager to turn out the light and gather around to see it - and they were excited to see it move. And one of the first things the grandgirls wanted to do when they first got here was to go see if there were any eggs in the nest boxes. Even the baby grandgirl loves gathering the eggs and will hold it so carefully in her hands to bring inside.

I think it'll get better as time passes and I show them that I can make a little money to pay for feed by selling eggs and chicks. I think they must envision me becoming a chicken hoarder or something like that.

One of the benefits of having chickens - for me - is that it gets me outside and active. I can't hibernate in the house when the chickens need to be fed and watered and eggs need to be gathered. Plus I enjoy getting outside and simply watching them. I think both my mental and physical health has improved since I got them.

Just curious - do any of you get teased about your chickens?

 

[KandiandJerry]

Yes we do by my brother-in-law and all we raise is banty`s but whats funny is the ones that do the teasing is the ones that always want some of them when they hatch...LOL

 

[DMRippy]

Yes and no. I get some teasing but not like that

My mother says wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to just buy eggs? My son (24 yrs) teases me,"her and chickens" "don't you get anymore roos" "Don't set anymore eggs" but he will do just about anything we ask with the chickens. He will get the eggs, wire the barn/coop thing. Help hang coops and nest boxes, make feeders you name it he will help. No fear of chickens or the yuck factor with them. He can't wait till we process. We rib each other about things all the time. I think most of the people that know me are scratching their head, "What is she doing with CHICKENS?!?!"

Hopefully they will see the GOOD.

 

[Countrypunk92]

Quote:
All the time, Carol.

I don't mind it.
Especially when they tell me my eggs are nasty and my chickens eat their own poop.
And then I school them on commercial poultry and the eggs they eat versus my healthy birds that get to roam over 6 acres and eat organic food.
Speaking of which, I found my flock in my neighbors yard snacking. My neighbors previously told me they dont mind the birds in their yard. So I wasnt worried about it.

My hens dont stay in their run, so I put a big tent like thing over it to give them shade during summer, and away from the rain. Hopefully it will keep them in so they dont hide their eggs on me. But houdini of course gets out every time. She is so goofy.

 

[DMRippy]

Oh yeah.... Hubby tells everyone that he married the CRAZY CHICKEN LADY.

I don't mind that cuz he is the one that kisses the chicks.... NOT ME!