What did you do with your flock today?

[ChicksnMore]

Cold, windy, and rainy here today. Yesterday we had our annual Superbowl party for the first time since 2020. Our party's been shrinking over the years and only 2 people this year... but hubby went all out anyway. One friends an animal lover so hubby asked me to give him a tour of the beasties. He said "you have a lot of chickens" . Yup, not a lot of variety here anymore.

I put wind blocks up for my bird runs a couple of days ago and have been going out after bed to make sure everyones sheltered for sleeping. Supposed to drop down in the 20's tonight. That's not really cold, but at the same time it is. We're used to higher temps then that and the sudden drop is still hard on the birds. So I took all the roosts out of the run area and made sure everyone slept in the coops.

Today I'll have to cover a bunch of plants. This year's the first time I've thought to myself, maybe I should stick to only plants that handle the cold without blankets. I get attached to plants too though so probably not.

 

[ChicksnMore]

So, I am going to be hatching some of my Call duck eggs in about 2 weeks. BUT the lady I got my Calls from has A LOT of eggs she is hatching. Right now she has over 100 and she has so many coming she can’t keep up. She has sold a lot but not enough to make a difference. I told her I would buy some. Then I thought about it and she has breeds she is trying to get back, due to her loss. So I told her I would hatch some for her and maybe I can keep some from it.

Any tips would be appreciated on how to get a good hatch rate… @ChicksnMore

That's wonderful your going to help her hatch! I'm guessing she'll have tons of great hatching tips for you . I've only got one year experience with hatching call ducks! I do 99.5 temp and 55 humidity. My calls are pet quality so most have long enough beaks to hatch well, but I have had a couple that struggled.

I handle them just like any hatching egg. When hatch approaches, I candle daily and watch for the internal pip. Once you see that little beaks popped out of the membrane, give them time to make the external pip. It can take 24 hours. With the call eggs I tend to hover still...so if the internal movement is slowing I make a safety hole...just a small hole near the beak to let some air in. They should have little beak movements almost all the time...if the beaks not moving much is when I do safety holes. Then give them about 24 hours from there to unzip. If they haven't started unzipping, then start removing shell near the beak going up towards the big end of the egg. Go slowly and remove a little at a time. Stop if there's the slightest bit of bleeding and give them more time.

Most eggs will hatch best with no interference. Experience and frequent candling during hatch to get a feel for the natural progression and timing of hatching will be your best teachers. Just don't chill the eggs too bad trying to see what's going on in there. Once you have a feel for a natural hatch, that's when I'd start trying to assist as needed. Always give as little assistance as needed, then give the chick a chance to make it out on its own. Always try to keep the timing as close to natural as possible too.

You'll do good I'm sure. Watching the progression of a hatch is always such a pleasure.

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

Cold, windy, and rainy here today. Yesterday we had our annual Superbowl party for the first time since 2020. Our party's been shrinking over the years and only 2 people this year... but hubby went all out anyway. One friends an animal lover so hubby asked me to give him a tour of the beasties. He said "you have a lot of chickens" . Yup, not a lot of variety here anymore.

I put wind blocks up for my bird runs a couple of days ago and have been going out after bed to make sure everyones sheltered for sleeping. Supposed to drop down in the 20's tonight. That's not really cold, but at the same time it is. We're used to higher temps then that and the sudden drop is still hard on the birds. So I took all the roosts out of the run area and made sure everyone slept in the coops.

Today I'll have to cover a bunch of plants. This year's the first time I've thought to myself, maybe I should stick to only plants that handle the cold without blankets. I get attached to plants too though so probably not.

Yeah the wind has been something else the past few months!!!
Where in the world approximately are you located...in US? Here in TN we got in low 30s last night and of course I forgot to cover the lettuce, arugula, kale, spinach and radicchio seeds I just put down again yesterday. Not sure they'll germinate now but ill wait and see.

 

[ChicksnMore]

Yeah the wind has been something else the past few months!!!
Where in the world approximately are you located...in US? Here in TN we got in low 30s last night and of course I forgot to cover the lettuce, arugula, kale, spinach and radicchio seeds I just put down again yesterday. Not sure they'll germinate now but ill wait and see.

I'm in Tucson, Arizona. It's hot and dry here normally. This year has been cold though! Here winter is the best time to grow veggies and they never need covered...even when temps drop into the 20's, so I'm guessing your seeds will be fine. I sprouted lettuce and spinach later then usual this year and they sprouted well after nights we're dipping into the 30's off and on. Growth is slower but sprout rate seemed good.

We're usually starting to move into spring this time of year. Betting this is our last cold snap though. Hope so because my hot flashes aren't enough to keep me warm this winter

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

I'm in Tucson, Arizona. It's hot and dry here normally. This year has been cold though! Here winter is the best time to grow veggies and they never need covered...even when temps drop into the 20's, so I'm guessing your seeds will be fine. I sprouted lettuce and spinach later then usual this year and they sprouted well after nights we're dipping into the 30's off and on. Growth is slower but sprout rate seemed good.

We're usually starting to move into spring this time of year. Betting this is our last cold snap though. Hope so because my hot flashes aren't enough to keep me warm this winter

Ah I knew someone on this thread was from that state but couldn't remember who.
I think we will have another big snow before we see the last of winter. But I told the babies this morning these 60° days sure give us a taste of heaven when that sun is out shining!!!

Yeah I hear ya...my hot flashes have been ramped up last few weeks to the point I end up leaving the house without changing my shoes...then few hours later I realize what I've done...
It's bad what the 4 yr old grandson says my paint has fallen off my toes! Lolol

 

[Aliceismad106]

Since the feathers were just new babies in their brooders, I have sang to them.. theywill either get the song playing so it drowns me out or they get me in all my can't keep a tune, sounds like a cat dying self. I made up a lullaby for them and I sing it every night. Twice in fact. Once for the lady babies and one for the water babies.
Other than the lullaby I have maybe three songs I sing to myself while working in their area. I was setting the electric fence today and singing and I heard Lydia singing and trilling trilling right along with me. I got a little video of it but I won't torture anyone.
It was a special moment.

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

Since the feathers were just new babies in their brooders, I have sang to them.. theywill either get the song playing so it drowns me out or they get me in all my can't keep a tune, sounds like a cat dying self. I made up a lullaby for them and I sing it every night. Twice in fact. Once for the lady babies and one for the water babies.
Other than the lullaby I have maybe three songs I sing to myself while working in their area. I was setting the electric fence today and singing and I heard Lydia singing and trilling trilling right along with me. I got a little video of it but I won't torture anyone.
It was a special moment.

Mine luv it when I sing to them! Lolol
Not sure if the babies just enjoy it cuz they know nothing will come around long as I torture em all.
Then the adult babies shake their heads repeatedly as if I'm literally torturing them! Lolol
I know it's cuz of my singing cuz they stop doing it soon as I shut up lol!
We need pics of ya babies though!

 

[Aliceismad106]

Mine luv it when I sing to them! Lolol
Not sure if the babies just enjoy it cuz they know nothing will come around long as I torture em all.
Then the adult babies shake their heads repeatedly as if I'm literally torturing them! Lolol
I know it's cuz of my singing cuz they stop doing it soon as I shut up lol!
We need pics of ya babies though!

here are my babies.
Starting from thw top and going right to left you have
Olive, Pimento, Billy Jo, Bobby Sue, Nugget, Batgirl, Lydia, Sabrina, Gemma, Harley.
Ducks Re Cayenne, Cheese, Quackers and Doodle. We just got the Blue Swedish a couple weeks ago when our black swedish baby boy passed.

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

here are my babies.
Starting from thw top and going right to left you have
Olive, Pimento, Billy Jo, Bobby Sue, Nugget, Batgirl, Lydia, Sabrina, Gemma, Harley.
Ducks Re Cayenne, Cheese, Quackers and Doodle. We just got the Blue Swedish a couple weeks ago when our black swedish baby boy passed.

Awe they are all adorable!!!
We had a Quacker and Cheese years ago when our kids were small!

 

[ChicksnMore]

Since the feathers were just new babies in their brooders, I have sang to them.. theywill either get the song playing so it drowns me out or they get me in all my can't keep a tune, sounds like a cat dying self. I made up a lullaby for them and I sing it every night. Twice in fact. Once for the lady babies and one for the water babies.
Other than the lullaby I have maybe three songs I sing to myself while working in their area. I was setting the electric fence today and singing and I heard Lydia singing and trilling trilling right along with me. I got a little video of it but I won't torture anyone.
It was a special moment.

That sounds so sweet! I'm like @Gammas Bearded Babies ...I love to sing but have no faith anyone wants to hear me

Beautiful babies