The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

LOL for those who didn't see, one corner of my hatcher always seems to shrink wrap chicks. I had a large batch of Swedish flower hens from Leigh I am hatching (haven't checked them yet this morning) and this one had been zipped a while but not pushed out, so I took it out of the incubator and popped the cap off and out jumps this solid black blob! expecting a SFH, I was quite literally stunned for a second and almost dropped it. my next thought was wow. ugly chickling.

That's going to be a beautiful Silkie. Nice vaulted skull.

I think they are the least cute of the chicks I hatch until they fluff out.

 

[chicalot]

I need to get caught up here but a quick show and tell After my last chic never zipped and died, I set 7 more eggs. 6 were infertile. I thought I was seeing fertile eggs but guess not. The seventh egg was blue and I couldn't see a thing in it but left it just in case. It finally chirped at me on day 19 and had already pipped before lockdown! I was so surprised. I thought the last time maybe the humidity was too low so I added an extra capful of water this time. Definitely was more humid this time. I'm getting a couple of friends for this chic on Tuesday from TSC and I scored a pack n play to brood them in. Also set 6 more eggs from the hens I knew are fertile if I picked them all out correctly.

Also, does feather sexing work. If it does, this looks like a pullet.

 

[aoxa]

I need to get caught up here but a quick show and tell

After my last chic never zipped and died, I set 7 more eggs. 6 were infertile. I thought I was seeing fertile eggs but guess not. The seventh egg was blue and I couldn't see a thing in it but left it just in case. It finally chirped at me on day 19 and had already pipped before lockdown! I was so surprised. I thought the last time maybe the humidity was too low so I added an extra capful of water this time. Definitely was more humid this time. I'm getting a couple of friends for this chic on Tuesday from TSC and I scored a pack n play to brood them in. Also set 6 more eggs from the hens I knew are fertile if I picked them all out correctly.





Also, does feather sexing work. If it does, this looks like a pullet.

I've been attempting vent sexing. My eyes are terrible. I have also tried feather sexing, and it is much easier - but it does not work unless bred for it.

 

[armorfirelady]

LM after aoxas fire I make sure everything for the coop is plugged into GFCI plug. Thankfully when I had my garage rewired after I bought my house every outlet is hooked up to one. I also ran the wire for the electric netting thru plastic electrical pipe on the outside of the coop all the way into the garage. My friend had some laying around so it didnt cost a thing. Now I don't have to worry about creatures chewing on it or it breaking & causing a short. If I get enough $$ back from taxes I want to get solar power for the netting. Once less thing plugged into the outlets.

 

[armorfirelady]

While I am glad it warmed up a little this rain can go away. I can't run my sump pump for the yard to drain excess water because the pipe is still frozen underground in spots :/ thank goodness I dug all those drainage ditches or the coop would be under water. But the water is still up to the coop just not in it since it's on higher ground. Threw some leaves and peat moss in their DL since its so damp. I really need to get their tarp changed. I'm hoping my connection for billboard comes thru. The roost is damp from water seeping thru the tarp I bought last year.

And somehow there is standing water in the plastic dog crate. It's covered on top so no idea how water is getting in. Just glad I have the outlet for heated bowls attached to ceiling instead of just laying on the floor. I threw in some DL from the coop in there so the girls are not standing in water when eating or drinking & it won't be a skating rink when everything freezes tonight.

Girls don't seem to mind the rain. they are out in the veggie garden digging even tho part of it is flooded. I keep telling them they are part duck. To bad I couldn't have duck they would love my lake in my yard

EDITED for spelling :/

 

[Leahs Mom]

This is what I have plugged into the outlet in the pole barn. Not sure if it's the same specific one, but close:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_145277-3353...Ntt=gfci&pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=gfci&facetInfo=

 

[Leahs Mom]

Most of my kiddos spent the day out in the pouring rain yesterday too. Totally soaked.

Today it is cold and 30-45 mph winds. They're stuck inside this morning so they don't keep the younger ones trapped outside.

 

[Shan30]

I think they are the least cute of the chicks I hatch until they fluff out.

Soooo cute! I have 7 blue silkies and 7 silver laced polish babies coming up from the US on March first. Super excited!

 

[ki4got]

this was this morning when she left the hatcher with the rest of the sfh 'harvest'... I'm almost thinking blue, not black. what do you think?

 

[NanaLynn]

Hello Everyone! It's been awhile since I posted. It is hard to keep up with the postings on this thread. Moves so fast. So I try my best to keep up and usually someone has already asked a question before I get a chance to type mine in.

Anyway to make a long story short. I got an email from Manna Pro and they have the eggskelters on sale for $10 off and it is a great deal. I had already gotten mine from Amazon. This is mine below. (I wish I waited I would have save $20 or more. Thought I'd share the info.


If anyone here is interested in getting one, it's a great deal. (No I don't work for them or get anything out of this, just passing on a good deal) Here is a copy of my email. I've posted on some other threads too, but I thought a lot of you on here might like one?

Thanks for all the knowledge on this thread. Now I will go back to reading and trying to keep up!- Lynn

"Hi Lynn,
If you are proud to show off your beautiful, backyard eggs, now is the time to invest in an Egg Skelter! Originally only available in the UK, The Egg Skelter is a countertop egg display and storage rack that keeps your eggs in order of lay so that you are always eating your oldest eggs first. Now, for a limited time, you can buy an Egg Skelter for $10 OFF the usual price!
Buy yours today at MannaPro.com and use the discount code SPRING14 at checkout. Offer expires on March 31st, or while supplies last. Available in three different colors and great as a gift!
Sincerely,
Manna Pro Poultry"