The Old Folks Home

[getaclue]

I put tarps around my coop today. I've been having mice problems, so I'm waiting to see what the combination of cold weather, and tarps does with the situation. They cleared a big parcel of land across the street from the coop to put in a subdivision. I've never had problems before, but when they cleared the land, some of the mice found their way to my coop. I have contemplated the best way to go about getting rid of them, and had decided on a twofold plan. 1. is an electronic mouse killer for $20.00, takes 2 AA batteries, and of 150 reviews, almost everyone really likes them. I will start with one, to make sure I like it, and that it works as well as the reviews claim. I will get another, if it does the job. 2. cap one end of a length of pvc pipe, and put bait in it, and set them further away from the coop.

 

[hennible]

I'm looking for tips on buying one ronott1, he of many incubators must have some tips for me... The reviews for one incubator are just all over the place... 1 star 5 stars... Best ever, I hate it... All on one incubator! What the H.
I think I want one with a fan, definitely want an egg turner and want to be able to have at least 24 eggs... $200 or less

 

[hennible]

I put tarps around my coop today.  I've been having mice problems, so I'm waiting to see what the combination of cold weather, and tarps does with the situation.  They cleared a big parcel of land across the street from the coop to put in a subdivision.  I've never had problems before, but when they cleared the land, some of the mice found their way to my coop.  I have contemplated the best way to go about getting rid of them, and had decided on a twofold plan.  1. is an electronic mouse killer for $20.00, takes 2 AA batteries, and of 150 reviews, almost everyone really likes them.  I will start with one, to make sure I like it, and that it works as well as the reviews claim. I will get another, if it does the job.  2. cap one end of a length of pvc pipe, and put bait in it, and set them further away from the coop.

The one that zaps them will leave tasty treats for your chicken

 

[ronott1]

I put tarps around my coop today. I've been having mice problems, so I'm waiting to see what the combination of cold weather, and tarps does with the situation. They cleared a big parcel of land across the street from the coop to put in a subdivision. I've never had problems before, but when they cleared the land, some of the mice found their way to my coop. I have contemplated the best way to go about getting rid of them, and had decided on a twofold plan. 1. is an electronic mouse killer for $20.00, takes 2 AA batteries, and of 150 reviews, almost everyone really likes them. I will start with one, to make sure I like it, and that it works as well as the reviews claim. I will get another, if it does the job. 2. cap one end of a length of pvc pipe, and put bait in it, and set them further away from the coop.

I have one and it is not enough to get them.

I use a liquid rat poison. Mice might be ok in the trap though.

 

[ronott1]

I'm looking for tips on buying one ronott1, he of many incubators must have some tips for me... The reviews for one incubator are just all over the place... 1 star 5 stars... Best ever, I hate it... All on one incubator! What the H.
I think I want one with a fan, definitely want an egg turner and want to be able to have at least 24 eggs... $200 or less

For the price, the Genesis 1588 is very good. I have had lots of good hatches with mine.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I'm looking for tips on buying one ronott1, he of many incubators must have some tips for me... The reviews for one incubator are just all over the place... 1 star 5 stars... Best ever, I hate it... All on one incubator! What the H.
I think I want one with a fan, definitely want an egg turner and want to be able to have at least 24 eggs... $200 or less

I've got the Brinsea Octagon something or other with automatic turner. I get good, stable temperatures, and good incubation out of it. Decent hatches although the humidity is usually off after the hatch starts and I get sticky or glued chicks at the end. This may be due to operator error.

The only bug downside to the Brinsea is after a couple hatches you really get all kinds of chick gunk (mostly fuzz) stuck up under the clear top panel with the fan/thermometer/electronics and it's insanely difficult to open up and clean out. Mine had cheap screws that stripped and so it's stuck now, forever dirty. I blow it out with canned air, but the chick fuzz has some kind of crazy glue that makes it not easily defeated by the canned air. The egg holders are also a bit precarious and you've got to be careful they're in there right (or the incubator is completely stuffed full) or you may have rogue rolling eggs when it turns.

Butttt... I've crammed 30 eggs in there, hatched chickens, ducks and turkeys in it and it's under 200 dollars.

 

[hennible]

Thank you guys!

 

[casportpony]

Oooo... I've seen the RCOM-20... Too rich for my blood... I think you can get 100% hatch rates with that one easily.

I'm still working the bugs out, so to speak... Seems that the outer edges of it kill eggs, but I need to do more testing before I can be sure. Had 40% with the RCOM and peafowl eggs, so not very good. The Janoel is dirt cheap, has a turner and fan, but I haven't tried to hatch any from start to finish in it.

$108 on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/181417537102?lpid=82

-Kathy

 

[hennible]

Thank you Kathy

 

[perchie.girl]

Does anybody in here use an incubator?

I have but I am NO expert..... I plugged it in followed the instructions and had three guinea eggs hatch out of five.... None of the chicken eggs hatched. All were Pullet eggs... Five Auracana eggs ( notorious for being hard to hatch) and four or five guinea eggs that had been layed ijn the pen and kicked around for four days till I gathered them...

Apparently guineas are incredibly hearty....

So with blind luck and a gooood incubator I got one Royal Purple and two Pearls.... Oh mine is a 1588 with a turner and fan.... FWIW...

deb