The Old Folks Home

[vehve]

I haven't done that much incubating, but I'd say "lockdown" should be applied mainly at the point where the first eggs have pipped, since they will be affected by humidity changes a lot more at that point. And I think it's probably okay to stop turning after day 18 or 19. I don't really see a point in always boosting the humidity at day 18, especially if you have no idea what the weight loss has been. Tracking the weight is the best indicator of humidity requirements, in my opinion. But I'd see Sally's guide as more of a starting point, from there you have to figure out what works for you.

 

[ozexpat]

I haven't done that much incubating, but I'd say "lockdown" should be applied mainly at the point where the first eggs have pipped, since they will be affected by humidity changes a lot more at that point. And I think it's probably okay to stop turning after day 18 or 19. I don't really see a point in always boosting the humidity at day 18, especially if you have no idea what the weight loss has been. Tracking the weight is the best indicator of humidity requirements, in my opinion. But I'd see Sally's guide as more of a starting point, from there you have to figure out what works for you.

indeed

it is a guide, not a rule book

lockdown was most probably coined as many beginners can't resist the urge to assist hatching.

 

[casportpony]

Got in trouble for saying lockdown was dumb.
It is dumb
Dont raise humidity till day 19
Broody hens never lockdown
Dont take out your auto turner till day 19.
Lockdown is a stupid byc myth

I'm also not a fan of the term lockdown, but I will stop turning and raise humidity the day before or the day I suspect they will pip internally.

-Kathy

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote:
Just my observations here but I hatch chicks with out any humidity. However for turkey I have to raise the humidity to 65% at day 25 or they can't get out of the shell.

I have read the Face Book thread for the Light Sussex and Steve is the Admin. on that site and he said he in 35+ years has never locked down any eggs.

 

[chickadoodles]

Hey y'all I have a BR tom in time out. When he is breeding one of my hens after he thinks he is done he grabs ahold of her then wildly flapping his wings like he is trying to take her off somewhere! She cries out and tries to get away from him. Buy the time I get him off of her she is running terrified in circles. The last time she jumped on my back trying to get away from him! I don't know how to stop his behavior! I need him to have fertile eggs but I don't know how to stop him! I have tried pushing him off hollering at him and smacking him in the head to no avail. Any suggestions?

 

[ozexpat]

Hey y'all I have a BR tom in time out. When he is breeding one of my hens after he thinks he is done he grabs ahold of her then wildly flapping his wings like he is trying to take her off somewhere! She cries out and tries to get away from him. Buy the time I get him off of her she is running terrified in circles. The last time she jumped on my back trying to get away from him! I don't know how to stop his behavior! I need him to have fertile eggs but I don't know how to stop him! I have tried pushing him off hollering at him and smacking him in the head to no avail. Any suggestions?

cook him and replace him

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote:
That would take another year! I can't do that. I guess I will try swatting him with the fly swatter or something.

 

[vehve]

For some reason that behavior reminded me of this:

This was from someone's facebook post. She had gone in the coop wearing that hat, and ended up with a rooster trying to mate her head when she bent down... they do look sort of alike though, don't they.

 

[chickisoup]

I
What do you guys think? Anyone else dealt with this?
I posted this with the coffee gang but thought I would re-post here


I was just curious and thought I would ask my coffee buddies.

Has any of you ever had a she switch to a he?
I know it's rare but can happen. I ask because I think I have that happening to one of my definitely "she" Aussies.
She is behaving more and more like a "he" every day, attitude and all, and has stopped laying. She is otherwise perfectly healthy.

Of course I would get the "odd ball". I mean really. Who remembers the first time I bought 2 pullet Aussies from a breeder that turned out to be 2 very sick roos?
Then I try again, determined to get my Aussie girls and I buy 5 sexed Aussie chicks from Cackle Hatchery last spring, gladly paying A LOT for the special packing to make sure they arrived in good shape (which they did) only to find out that pretty soon that one was a roo anyway!

Did someone put a curse on me or is some poultry fairy determined that I am supposed to have an Aussie roo and making sure that comes to pass
one way or the other????

ETA-
Ok, for those who are curious, here is a good article on sex changing hens

http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/spontaneous-sex-reversal-hen-just-become-rooster/

 

[chickadoodles]

vehve you are to funny!

Here's a pic of my turkey hen on my back wanting to be rescued from this over bearing tom! It is difficult to take a pic of something on your back while bent over.