Utah!

[sundancenbare]

I had an egg hatch last night. It was what I consider a miracle as a few days ago the incubator lost power for 24 hours due to a mistake my house sitter made. I thought I'd let the cycle run out and was surprised when the little baby hatched. Just tells you that there can be hope and some chicks can be very tough

 

[bitsyhorse]

So, I realize I'm quite the noob when it comes to chickens.... I just read up on Broody Chickens last night... and before that, I didn't realize that was much of a big deal (but can be if they just sit for a LONG time, they can get sick, ect). I have nearly a whole flock that has a chance to go broody....

So, if worse comes to worse... and I have to deal with a broody chicken... what is your preferred method? doing a wire rabbit hutch broody breaker? or with just sticking some eggs under the hen, and then selling the babies? (my husband doesn't love the idea of the second one... he thinks that we're going to get overrun with chicks (methinks he knows me too well lol!!))

in your experience with those that hatch eggs, that can't keep them, do the chicks sell fairly well?



Also, random off topic a bit.... but can you hatch pigeon eggs with a chicken (I didn't think so, because I think they're still birds that have to be fed by the mom as babies, but wanted to make sure). But you can do Quail right? (again, I don't know, just making the assumption that all eggs can be incubated at the same temp)

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

So, I realize I'm quite the noob when it comes to chickens.... I just read up on Broody Chickens last night... and before that, I didn't realize that was much of a big deal (but can be if they just sit for a LONG time, they can get sick, ect).  I have nearly a whole flock that has a chance to go broody.... 

So, if worse comes to worse... and I have to deal with a broody chicken... what is your preferred method? doing a wire rabbit hutch broody breaker? or with just sticking some eggs under the hen, and then selling the babies? (my husband doesn't love the idea of the second one... he thinks that we're going to get overrun with chicks (methinks he knows me too well lol!!)) 

in your experience with those that hatch eggs, that can't keep them, do the chicks sell fairly well?



Also, random off topic a bit.... but can you hatch pigeon eggs with a chicken (I didn't think so, because I think they're still birds that have to be fed by the mom as babies, but wanted to make sure). But you can do Quail right? (again, I don't know, just making the assumption that all eggs can be incubated at the same temp)

If you hatch quail eggs you want to use a silkie or the smallest chicken you have, the quail babies are TINY and LF chickens don't do so well with them. I tried it, and the eggs got broken before it came time to hatch, then the momma hen went crazy with sadness when the bloody eggs were found underneath her. It broke my heart to watch her, I felt like I set her up for failure. I have had success with silkies, they are smaller.

Chicks do sell fairly well on KSL, but it depends on the time of year. In the fall, not so much. Starting in about January, they seem to do pretty well, at least in the North. Might be better toward the metro areas.

When they first start showing signs of broodiness, you can dip them in cold water, and let them run around the yard, keep them away from the preferred nest, that works sometimes. If they are really persistent you can put them in an uncomfortable wire cage with no nesting material, sometimes than can work. Sometimes NOTHING works. It just depends on how determined I usually let mine ride it out, they will sit for 3-4 weeks usually, get really skinny, and finally give up. I have not ever had one get sick yet, but they sure do get scrawny and ratty looking. I will try to hand feed them scrambled eggs and mealy worms, and put a handful of feed nearby a couple times per day, but they still get scrawny.

 

[Cynthia12]

I had an egg hatch last night. It was what I consider a miracle as a few days ago the incubator lost power for 24 hours due to a mistake my house sitter made. I thought I'd let the cycle run out and was surprised when the little baby hatched. Just tells you that there can be hope and some chicks can be very tough

Congrats! I was thinking the same thing this morning. The three little eggs that I saved from my winning them on the Easter Hatch A Long..have pipped. Now, these eggs are a miracle. When the box came, it looked normal. Opened it, thought I smelled something..oh oh. But, the box inside, looked normal. Then I opened it. Scrambled eggs! This was no way the person's fault in how she packaged..it was done by some meanie! She had the eggs bubbled wrapped too. I am not sure I showed a photo on here. Just on the Hatch A Long. Anyway, I found 6 eggs that weren't broken. I washed them gently, wiped them dry gently..went ahead and set them. Three weren't good, right away, but the other three have made it to pip! I can't believe I even got that many. I hope they all three hatch, so I can send photos to the gal that sent them, her very first time shipping. And she was worried enough. Not her fault..one of the best packaging I've ever seen/had.

Pretty sad. I felt awful for her. Hopefully I will have some baby photos by tomorrow from three of these!

On other news. My NN eggs came today. Only took 2 days from GA. to here! Now, this is the second time I took a chance to buy from that area..last time..only 2 days! I thought is was just luck..and what a great hatch I had too! So, thinking that GA. has a great route! No eggs broken today.

 

[Cynthia12]

 

[themadchicken]

Bitsyhorse..Don't listen to anyone about trying to break a broody. It is very important that you give her some fertile eggs. Very very important.

 

[Iluvmysilkies]

So, im just noticing one my new big Bubba black silkie chicks has six toes on each foot haha. Aww darn, I know that's not desirable in the breed but oh well. He/she is soo fluffy anyway so I don't care but sucks cause I bet its going to be beautiful for breeding if it weren't for the toes. But I am also sensing a big macho boy vibe from this one though. I hope im wrong lol. Id sure love to keep this beautiful chick

 

[NoodleSoup2013]

Cynthia where did you order your NN's from and for how much? Went to IFA again today to see if they had any. They didn't, and then they were just being mean to everybody....so I left without asking about them. Anyway, still on the look out for NN's!

 

[Ruralpearls]

Congrats! I was thinking the same thing this morning. The three little eggs that I saved from my winning them on the Easter Hatch A Long..have pipped. Now, these eggs are a miracle. When the box came, it looked normal. Opened it, thought I smelled something..oh oh. But, the box inside, looked normal. Then I opened it. Scrambled eggs! This was no way the person's fault in how she packaged..it was done by some meanie! She had the eggs bubbled wrapped too. I am not sure I showed a photo on here. Just on the Hatch A Long. Anyway, I found 6 eggs that weren't broken. I washed them gently, wiped them dry gently..went ahead and set them. Three weren't good, right away, but the other three have made it to pip! I can't believe I even got that many. I hope they all three hatch, so I can send photos to the gal that sent them, her very first time shipping. And she was worried enough. Not her fault..one of the best packaging I've ever seen/had.

Pretty sad. I felt awful for her. Hopefully I will have some baby photos by tomorrow from three of these!

On other news. My NN eggs came today. Only took 2 days from GA. to here! Now, this is the second time I took a chance to buy from that area..last time..only 2 days! I thought is was just luck..and what a great hatch I had too! So, thinking that GA. has a great route! No eggs broken today.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Cynthia where did you order your NN's from and for how much? Went to IFA again today to see if they had any. They didn't, and then they were just being mean to everybody....so I left without asking about them. Anyway, still on the look out for NN's!

Our IFA (the North one) is raunchy, I really hate going in there...plus they are quite misinformed about their breeds :/ The one by the high school is where I go to buy feed, they are a lot nicer, but not much in the way of chicks.

I asked my friend this morning, she went to that IFA on 21st south in SLC, and she did get turkens about two weeks ago.