Washingtonians

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

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SAAAAAWEEEEEEEET. Wish I could score something like that.

 

[Stumpfarmer]

Oh, dancy dancy dancy tra-la-la Happy Birthday to MEEEEEE! Someone posted about a Hamburg chick on the Breeds, Genetics & Showing thread, and if it's a cockeral, it may well become mine. This makes me happy because I was expecting a much greater expenditure and closer time-limits; now I can tractor the hens (I'm getting them Sunday) for a while and take time to make a flight-cage for Hamburgs and maybe Guineas in the east yard (CL's Guinea photo reminded me that the original, as in back many years ago, plan was to have guinea hens first).

Now, to check and see if the BLRW hen is still in Tacoma.

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

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LOL...did you video the dance? I want to see.
Very cute baby btw.

 

[Stumpfarmer]

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TSC seems, at least inTumwater, to have left the people in place at Del's. But it's not like the old days when we belonged to WFA and had more input into what got stocked.

The Farm Store is even closer to you than the Yelm Del's: you're in a unique position to have a choice! I was sort of weirded out to find that Mud Bay Granary has become strictly a dog-and-cat store; when it was at the corner of Mud Bay and Kaiser it sold hippie grains and goat, rabbit, and chicken feed. I've gone poking around looking for my old cheap sources for bulk grains and they're pretty much gone. It's discouraging.

I'm wondering about feeding some sour cream to chickens, since I can buy some from my BIL; I know people feed yoghurt, I wonder if sour cream would be OK?

The Mudbay stores in Seattle sell chicken feed.

I remember you saying that, but when I checked at the Mud Bay over on Martin Way, all they had was Dog, Cat and Rodent food; they're also, although technically closer to me, a hassle to get in and out of, while Del's is right next to DH's office and has fence material and other random stuff I always need, like hose menders and composted steer manure.

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Well, the nyquil has kicked in. I have 15 out of 26 chicks hatched. And 1 died while trying to hatch (15 alive). It looks like it had some kind of bleed out. I am really tired and I can't explain...I will try tomorrow. I feel really bad, but I do have 15 healthy alive ones. I do have a photo of a bowl full of poofy yellow chicks, that I took photos of, while I was transferring them to the brooder box I made. I have 2 black orps and 13 buff. 1 have 10 eggs left, 2 of which are black orps. We will see what morning brings. It will be day 21.

Well, before I pass out - night all.

 

[Chickielady]

Hurrah for you!

You are almost an expert now !
Seems like just a few weeks ago you were trying to decide if you wanted an incubator..time sure does fly!!
Are ya lovin' it or what???

BTW: With bleed out: If you notice a chick zips, and falls out & leaves alot of blood, you can dip a q-tip in vaseline, and grab the chick fast, and hold it upside down, carefully slowly push & twist slightly on it's outward belly button, pushing it back in.
Sometimes you have to repeat a few times, and sometimes this does not work as the belly button may pop out again.
But it has worked quite a few times for me.
You also have to consider opening the incubator to get the chick & risk shrink wrapping all the rest.
My bleeder chicks have all been the ones hatching a day early and not yet fully ready to be hatched it seems.
First steaming up the bathroom, and carry the incubator in there and then opening it fast, has helped some people avoid shrink wrap.
But congrates on all the chicks!!

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Okay, just a cute picture (I thought). I had to move some of the chicks out of the incubator to the brooder so this bowl was handy:

These are the first 8 that were fully dry and it was getting crowded in the incubator.

I did lose one in the hatching process. It had pipped, but not through the membrane. It finally did some zipping, but then died before pushing off the shell. I saw it through the lid and it looked like the membrane had dried. My humidity was over 65% (around 67% I think). I panicked and figured it had shrink wrapped. I put a warm wet wash cloth inside to bring up the humidity. Took the chick out and put water on the membrane. But it was already gone. Upon opening it...the membrane was very thick...thicker than the other membranes. The insides looked much bloodier than the other chicks/inside of the shells. At the umbilical site there was a large blood mass and the umbilical site does not look like it closed up. I was sad, but we have had 4 others hatch since this one so I am feeling a bit better. Poor baby to go that far and then lose the battle of life. DH had opened up the incubator earlier (when I was not around) to remove some of the egg shells....I was terrified that he messed up the "environment" ...but all is still looking good.

Anyway, I now have 7 eggs left and one is zipping. Today is day 21. I have it all marked on the calendar and I am keeping a close track.

I am still debating whether or not to do a third batch....I really need to contact Zgoatlady don't I?

 

[TouchO'Lass]

Aw congrats, 4312!

I've never hatched before, and listening to ya'll has been SOOOO much fun. So sorry about the 1, but I'm thinking those sound like really good numbers... Looking forward to pics...

ChickieLadie, that is an awesome setup!

I've been trying just to get a few raised beds in. Still waiting on dirt, starts aren't doing great (windowsills, and growlights in the hallway!), DH mowing and throwin grass and weeds everywhere

, but seeing your setup sure is sure motivating!!

Well, looks like NOAA was right: Another day of sun over here. Still chilly, but it's time to have coffee with my little crew then get busy... If I don't get out of here before everyone starts chatting, I won't get anything done,

! Later, folks...

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

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Yes, this is addictive. I think there was something weird with the membrane too. He had pipped quite some time earlier, but not through the membrane. When I did pull the chick out and look at him the membrane was very thick compared to anyone else's. I had almost reached in and had cut the membrane, now I wish I had earlier. I have an humidifier running next to my incubator (not sure if it is helping, but my humidity has stayed up)...I love the bathroom idea - that is a perfect idea.

I am now debating on whether or not to get eggs for a third batch. DH asked what do I plan to do with all the chicks.....

Ummmmm, does it matter?

 

[Chickielady]

Where in the world is the nighcrew?
No posted last night?
Where in the world is the morning shift for that matter ?
Stumpfarmer: Let me know if you want Guinea eggs or I can hatch some for you.
PM me if you do.
Well, I have yet another day of manual labor, adding the not needed-yet vent to the green house and then off to finish the new coop, sitting 3/4 done & tarped.
Then I have to do-in 4 birds and send them to freezer camp.
Actually I am thinking the dump.

I am so sick of MOT attacking me & carrying a shovel.
I have to fight with him 3-4 times a week.

Last night MOT decided he would attack DH, BAD idea...MOT is still alive but bruised & bloodied and he WILL NOT STOP coming at you until he is breathing hard, bloodied & battered to the point where he can barely stand.
MOT is going bye bye, he is way off type, in both temperment & physical body.
He obviously has a huge streak of leghorn or some game in him.
He has been mean since he zipped out of the egg, no lie!

He would run across the brooder & attack the giant human hands changing the food & water.
We thought it was cute back then....but we knew this day would come.
So, say goodbye to MOT!
Taking up space in a very nice coop, and mean as a June day is long, and useless!
Even the hens lay little eggs, not the Rhode Island White description AT ALL!

Also, still no reply from continued phone messages & e-mails to Sandhill Preservation...I am getting very angry with them..chick delivery date WAS May 3rd !!!!!!!
I am very upset they repeatedly will not even respond with some sort of response...they cannot be any busier than we are !
At least THEY aren't building their house too !
Stay clear of Sandhill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is NO excuse for this behaviour, yet they continue to mail out catalogs & advertise & update their web site...that is so rude & cold.