What did you do in the garden today?

[dan26552]

Up to 6! And there's a pip or small zip.

 

[chickadoodles]

Up to 6! And there's a pip or small zip.

Congrats Dan they are so cute!

 

[dan26552]

Congrats Dan they are so cute!

Yeah!

 

[dan26552]

​Wow! My EE's laid daily and my hens slowed during the last of summer when they molt. But then take off again when it cools down. Yeah if you want more eggs you need some Buckeye's! Large meat bird 9-10 lb or Chantecler's they are both very solid! The first time I held a Buckeye I was in shock at the weight of that bird! Great moms and dad's very gentle. I enjoyed them very much.

I think they're part game.

Ya know, I tried to convince my sister to get some but we couldn't find any close and she wasn't sure they'd handle the heat well.

 

[dan26552]

Dan, tell us a little about your bator please:  Electrical components used, size, cooler???  Incubation temp and humidity, and lock down temp and humidity.  How many eggs, hatching percent? 

My brother made a thermostat with an Arduino, and we used an old cord and old AC to DC converter, the AC to DC converter is for the fan. My brother in law helped us solder the three different cords it would have taken to run it together so it only runs on one. I do not know the size nor the type of cooler as it's an old one we had laying around, the rack that holds the eggs is also made of wood and hardware cloth that was laying around. It holds at about 99.5 to 100 degrees fahrenheit, I kept the humidity at about 35% for the first 18 and on day 18 I bumped it up to about 70% I set 15 egg but I think I could fit at least 2 dozen eggs easily if not more. I have just reached about 70% hatching, this is my first batch though so I can't say if it averages that or not, I made a few mistakes this time so I think I can get higher. We spent about $20 on it and about 3 evenings putting it together.

The front

The back (the box with the red light is the relay for the lights.)

The AC to DC converter we used.

The inside.

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote:

 

[chickadoodles]

Yesterday we went to TSC and we were looking at the carports they had due to the fact we were going to have to have one for our rabbits. Well they had one of the Logic tech that they are discontinuing and had it on sale for 349.99 for a 12x20. However we had to go from Selma to Demopolis to get it cuz they were sold out in Selma. So when we got there they had not been told the guy from Selma called to find us one. Anyways they did have one that had a busted open box on one end. So I asked the manager for a discount. Well they could not even find the item in their computer as they have discontinued it. lol But when the manager came back he knocked off 150.00 off the price! Yeah! Now my rabbits will have a new home and I will have space to start seeds and plants in. It is white so shade but we will have to run power out there for the rabbits for summer anyways so I can use some lights for starting seeds.

Do y'all think it will be ok for starting seeds with lights?

 

[lazy gardener]

Depends on temp. Seeds need heat and moisture to sprout. Some varieties are dependent on darkness or light. I grow many seedlings in my basement under regular flourescent shop lights. I have the trays close enough to the lights that the bulbs almost touch the seedlings. Good buy!!!

 

[chickadoodles]

Thanks Lazy Gardener.

 

[politicalcenter]

Yesterday we went to TSC and we were looking at the carports they had due to the fact we were going to have to have one for our rabbits. Well they had one of the Logic tech that they are discontinuing and had it on sale for 349.99 for a 12x20. However we had to go from Selma to Demopolis to get it cuz they were sold out in Selma. So when we got there they had not been told the guy from Selma called to find us one. Anyways they did have one that had a busted open box on one end. So I asked the manager for a discount. Well they could not even find the item in their computer as they have discontinued it. lol But when the manager came back he knocked off 150.00 off the price! Yeah! Now my rabbits will have a new home and I will have space to start seeds and plants in. It is white so shade but we will have to run power out there for the rabbits for summer anyways so I can use some lights for starting seeds.

Do y'all think it will be ok for starting seeds with lights?

I start my seeds under lights and it works well for me. I have some seedlings in the sunlight now. I keep them under lights and set them in the sun during the day weather permitting. I also use a seed starting mat under my seedlings to get them started and then put them in thin plastic totes after they sprout. I can put 144 seedlings in each tote. I also start 72 seedlings at a time. I also use LED lights and my flats don't dry out so fast. I am just north of y'all near Pell City.