The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Noncentzter]

Going back a few (?) pages to the layer feed concerns. What do you feed to your chicks that are broody raised and in with the general population? I feed everyone, in the general population, layer pellets no matter age and haven't had any problems. The chicks that are hatched in the incubator get chick starter ff until they move out to the coop with the general population at about 12 weeks of age. The youngsters are put in large dog kennels for one week and then allowed out into the general population...this causes fewer pecking order issues.

Incubators - I have the Genesis 1588 w/fan and turner. I also follow the dry hatch guidelines. My best hatch was last year's Easter Hatch!

Roosters - I have more than one in the general population...actually too many and need to butcher a few more! There are always skirmishes, but no major battles.

 

[PeepsCA]

Peepca,

Incubator Warehouse is a tad cheaper, and I had very good customer service. Shipping was good as well.

You find them hard to clean? Not me. Simple compared to the cabinet incubator! Lol

Oh and one more thing.. Skip the digital model. It does not read correctly, and you need an addition hydrometer/thermometer anyway.

I don't think you can skip the digital model, unless you can confirm with a seller that you are in fact buying an older 1588... it's my understanding that GQF has upgraded the 1588s and no longer makes them without the digital control. (Not positive on that tho.). Maybe there are plenty of older 1588s still left on shelves all across the globe so everyone still has a choice between the 2 different 1588s, I don't know.

I always use a digital Hygrometer/Thermometer (or 2, lol) in my incubators/hatchers, I was just advising not to count on the new 1588's LCD as being fail-proof since I have no personal experience it.

As for cleaning the 1588s... the styrofoam absorbs all the hatching goo/bacteria and gets stained deep down from the first poops while the keets/chicks are left in the incubator drying/fluffing, (especially with larger hatches they get it everywhere, even with rubberized shelf liner down), which is the main reason I do not hatch in mine. I wouldn't know how cleaning a cabinet style incubator compares, I'm not letting myself order one because I would not be able to control my hatching addiction, lol. Still seriously considering one, but currently practicing self control (go me). Just curious, did you order yours with automatic humidity control setup and the digital LCD etc? I'd be tempted to go full tilt with all the available options and egg racks etc if I ordered one, and really bite the bullet hard... lol.

Hmm... I just calculated my total from Incubator Ware House, $210.95 for the Hovabator 1588 and 1610 automatic turner... and it's only $200.95 from Stromberg's

I've only ordered a set of quail egg racks from Stromberg's in the past, but the shipping was free and Stromberg's sent them by Express Mail... I had them in 2 days. There were no issues with my order so I have no clue if Stromberg's has great customer service, or not. I based my recommendation on my personal experience only. I have heard plenty of good things about Stromberg's over the years tho...

 

[Melabella]

Which one should we use??

If you "Quote" this post, and add your name and pick to it,,we can keep track of the voting. This is of course, if you want to weigh in on such an important,, earth shattering vote!

So far we have

Bulldogma- Welcome Wagon
Melabella- Welcome Wagon
Mumsy-Welcome Wagon
Jockeyeba-Welcome Wagon

sorry if I missed anyone...

 

[loanwizard]

I can't keep up!

I felt like a chick today!

Went to an Auto Auction today, and 11 doors.... actually 22, open with cars running through.... colder'n a witches boob in a brass bra.... They had these radiant heaters hanging from the ceiling. When I got cold I would go huddle under it, then in a few minutes would go back out.

Wish I had a downy feathery coat.... that would be cool. I can picture myself as a Buff Orpington.... or maybe a Rock....

 

[aoxa]

I like this one because it's a group welcome

 

[Melabella]

I've got it saved now but I think I've lost the movement

Don't worry, when you go to use it,, it'll move. Same thing on my puter.

 

[delisha]

ok, I know we are all cold but remember the heat of the summer? I just saw these on etsy, she is selling them for chickens to stand on when it is really hot. They hold one of those ice packs.! who would have thought?

Those are a good idea for severe heat..glad we do not get that..heat is harder than cold I think on certain breeds.

 

[aoxa]

I like this one as well. It was a toss up between to two. Wish this one said "to our group" hehe.

 

[Melabella]

If you "Quote" this post, and add your name and pick to it,,we can keep track of the voting. This is of course, if you want to weigh in on such an important,, earth shattering vote!

So far we have

Bulldogma- Welcome Wagon
Melabella- Welcome Wagon
Mumsy-Welcome Wagon
Jockeyeba-Welcome Wagon
aoxa- Bouncing Welcome Group

sorry if I missed anyone...

 

[countrygirl74]

If you "Quote" this post, and add your name and pick to it,,we can keep track of the voting. This is of course, if you want to weigh in on such an important,, earth shattering vote!

So far we have

Bulldogma- Welcome Wagon
Melabella- Welcome Wagon
Mumsy-Welcome Wagon
Jockeyeba-Welcome Wagon

sorry if I missed anyone...

You forgot me!

- Just kidding!
countrygirl74 - Welcome Wagon