Loading up the incubator
Re: Loading up the incubator
The yellow chicks in my pictures are Basque (or EO) and the other fluff balls are pure Ameraucanas. They are fresh from the incubator. I put them in the box to carry them downstairs.
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- windwalkingwolf
- Poultry Guru - pullet level
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- Poultryprincess
- Chatty Hen
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Re: Loading up the incubator
Last nite I put the 9 chicks in a small box & put them beside my setting silkie.
I had already darkened the coop & had the water & chick food there.
I slipped them underneath her & crossed my fingers.
For the next 2 hours, I went out every 15 minutes.
Just to make sure I could rescue them if needed.
Today when I opened the door to check the water,
I heard this Banshea scream to get the heck out!!!!
My 9 little chicks have a new mama ~ life is great!
I had already darkened the coop & had the water & chick food there.
I slipped them underneath her & crossed my fingers.
For the next 2 hours, I went out every 15 minutes.
Just to make sure I could rescue them if needed.
Today when I opened the door to check the water,
I heard this Banshea scream to get the heck out!!!!
My 9 little chicks have a new mama ~ life is great!
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My NEW Life Motto for 2020 "DREAM BIG ~ SET GOALS ~ TAKE ACTION"
- Jaye
- Poultry Guru - chick level
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Re: Loading up the incubator
Gotta love those Silkie mamas: They are fearsome and awesome! I have one sitting on Brabanter hatching eggs ATM. Day 7 tomorrow, so will candle while she's out having breakfast, etc. I'm ever hopeful that her efforts pay off and she'll have some "brabies" hatching in the fullness of time.
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Re: Loading up the incubator
Well I'm going to hatch a few more. Most of my breeding birds are 4 years old this year so I decided to hatch the eggs I collected from them, and not the ones from younger birds. In theory, I can hatch from the younger ones next year.
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Re: Loading up the incubator
Group shots of the chickies. The pictures with a flash have a bit of a yellow tint for some reason. Wing feathers are coming in. One yellow one runs up and picks my hand when I put it in, and the blue one that hatched first came over and kicked me once. Boys of course. Everyone seems to be healthy. Lots of running around.
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- Poultryprincess
- Chatty Hen
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- Location: Kirkfield Ontario K0M 2B0
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Re: Loading up the incubator
Cute looking hatch Shnookie! GOOD LUCK on the next one :smiley-char026:
Wish I could join you for round 2, but I have to stop.
We are thinking of putting the place up for sale.
( don't want to be in a panic trying to sell chicks )
The blue silkie is Not the best mom, but will do.
She doesn't cluck when she eats or drinks.
I heard the chicks chirping for a long time yesterday.
Mama was oblivious, but to be fair, she is veri young.
I decided to turn the wall heater on low.
Took 5 chicks & put their beak into the water.
Today there was chirping, but less than yesterday.
Still MUCH easier having them under mama
( now I can clean the sewing room before listing )
Todays pic of mama & some of the chicks.
Wish I could join you for round 2, but I have to stop.
We are thinking of putting the place up for sale.
( don't want to be in a panic trying to sell chicks )
The blue silkie is Not the best mom, but will do.
She doesn't cluck when she eats or drinks.
I heard the chicks chirping for a long time yesterday.
Mama was oblivious, but to be fair, she is veri young.
I decided to turn the wall heater on low.
Took 5 chicks & put their beak into the water.
Today there was chirping, but less than yesterday.
Still MUCH easier having them under mama
( now I can clean the sewing room before listing )
Todays pic of mama & some of the chicks.
5
My NEW Life Motto for 2020 "DREAM BIG ~ SET GOALS ~ TAKE ACTION"
Re: Loading up the incubator
I put 24 more eggs in the incubator yesterday - 16 EOs and 8 Ameraucanas. I will be surprised if they all make it to hatching.
I'm pretty sure that 4 of the 8 EOs from the first hatch are males (maybe 5). I'm sure there are several Ameraucana males, of course. I could end up with a bunch of extra chickens over the winter. I want to move too so these may be my last hatches for a while. I haven't figured out where to move to, but when I do it will be a big chore.
I had a few chicks that got dehydrated from being under the fan. When they were in the brooder they chirped a lot. I went and made them drink several times a day until they stopped chirping. Now they drink okay on their own.
I'm pretty sure that 4 of the 8 EOs from the first hatch are males (maybe 5). I'm sure there are several Ameraucana males, of course. I could end up with a bunch of extra chickens over the winter. I want to move too so these may be my last hatches for a while. I haven't figured out where to move to, but when I do it will be a big chore.
I had a few chicks that got dehydrated from being under the fan. When they were in the brooder they chirped a lot. I went and made them drink several times a day until they stopped chirping. Now they drink okay on their own.
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- Poultryprincess
- Chatty Hen
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- Joined: Sat Dec 12, 2015 12:04 pm
- Location: Kirkfield Ontario K0M 2B0
- x 1075
Re: Loading up the incubator
UPDATE -
mama has figured out what to do.
She ate 1/3 of the watermelon before calling the chicks.
But she seems to be more caring of them.
There is a heat wave going on, so heat is not a big issue any more.
*** Are you actually looking to move, or like me t's on the "Wish List"
I'm willing move within 2 hours of Toronto, but it will depend on the $
IF hubby doesn't get hs price, h's NOT moving.
FINGERS CROSSED! I would LUV a barn ( critter Palace )
mama has figured out what to do.
She ate 1/3 of the watermelon before calling the chicks.
But she seems to be more caring of them.
There is a heat wave going on, so heat is not a big issue any more.
*** Are you actually looking to move, or like me t's on the "Wish List"
I'm willing move within 2 hours of Toronto, but it will depend on the $
IF hubby doesn't get hs price, h's NOT moving.
FINGERS CROSSED! I would LUV a barn ( critter Palace )
1
My NEW Life Motto for 2020 "DREAM BIG ~ SET GOALS ~ TAKE ACTION"
Re: Loading up the incubator
I hate moving but I need to find somewhere cheaper to live (if there is such a place).
I put 24 more eggs in the incubator. All but 9 were infertile. I have 2 Ameraucanas and 7 EOs just starting day 9. It seems harder to keep the temperature and humidity steady when the incubator is mostly empty. The other ones turned 2 weeks old yesterday. Time flies when you're having fun! :)
I put 24 more eggs in the incubator. All but 9 were infertile. I have 2 Ameraucanas and 7 EOs just starting day 9. It seems harder to keep the temperature and humidity steady when the incubator is mostly empty. The other ones turned 2 weeks old yesterday. Time flies when you're having fun! :)
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