The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

OMG They blew up the Boston Marathon. Lots injured 2 killed. How wrong.

I just saw this too.

 

[Leahs Mom]

For the Boston Marathon.

 

[BlueMouse]

my cousin had been where the bombs were earlier in the day. she still hasn't heard from some of her friends. Seriously scary the world we live in. It just seems so pointless.

 

[delisha]

scary stuff..and it makes you feel so helpless


love your place..that moving creek is beautiful..
I plan to put fish in my rain containers for the ducks.



I

 

[Kassaundra]

LOVE the creek, I would love to have a creek.


Hate the news of the bombing, haven't turned on any news today, been out in the garden most of the day, have they said who bombed it?

 

[delisha]

They don't know anything yet

 

[aoxa]

They don't know anything yet

We just heard this on our news as well. Something about Washington is on high alert as well. I went out to sit outside because it was beautiful today. Such a shame though.

 

[camilleathome]

We just heard this on our news as well. Something about Washington is on high alert as well. I went out to sit outside because it was beautiful today. Such a shame though.

Mom mentionned it to me also(I dont watch the news) as I work for fairmont raffles and hotels and it went off near fairmont copley plaza.

 

[jlynnet]

Was this the article you were looking for on the incubators?

good luck..

If they are fresh..it is much easier...not shipped..even easier..make sure you have a good LED flash light to check air cells or have a scale. Make sure your hands are always sanitized when handling eggs
1. Make sure your incubator is running smooth and steady for 24 hours.
2. Check your thermometers and your hydrometers (ice test and salt test)
3. Check and mark your air cells.or weigh them. Mark your eggs and record your weights (etc #1. weight 3.7 oz #2 2.9 oz)
4. Try not to handle the eggs.and if you do be gentle. If you ever watched a hen who has a good hatch ..when she turns an egg she is so very gentle and slow.
5. Weigh 50% on day 7 and 50% on day 10. If you are loosing 10% weight your humidity is good. If it is less or more you might need to adjust. Most problems other than fertility comes into day 18. To many times eggs are put into lock down with too high of humidity before the eggs are ready. On day 18 softly tap each egg and listen for a peep. If no peep..close the lid and check the next day. Do not increase humidity until you hear a peep or you see a pip.
Take eggs out of turner gently. and do your lock down.
sweet..I purchased the system last fall on sale..I am just waiting for the mess to reduce so I can get it going.
yesterday
X1000 I spit my coffee all over the computer...thanks

Ok I'm going to follow all advice and see what happens!! From what others are saying, these Marans are a bit difficult to hatch! crossing my fingers and toes for good results! I'll drive about an hour to pick them up and they will be fresh. The light I have is pretty good, but the eggs are just so dark. I will really take the time candle them. I know more of what I'm looking for now.
I need to send my 6 weekers outside, but I'm just worried my older girls will attack them! what to do what to do?!

 

[lalaland]

i usually pen up the little ones when they first are out to keep them safe from the big girls - a little chicken wire enclosure - they don't need all that huge of an area when they are little, and that way you can make sure they are near water and have shade if it is hot out - although it is hard for me to imagine it is hot outside anywhere! you are right to worry, the older hens will attack. I've seen hens run a fair distance to jump on little "stranger" pullets, but have also had them uninterested in the littles as long as the littles aren't nearby.