Chicken/egg question

[user 7704]

The max on mine is 12 and I have never bought more than 6 or 7 chicks at a time. I'll give them away.

 

[Mountain trapper]

We raise up to 50 meat birds per year, so we need the higher capacity. Plus we may start selling some chick's and ducklings. It'd be nice to turn a profit on these little #$@%$.

 

[Amish Heart]

I have two of the Brinsea Octogon Incubators. You have to turn them. They hold about 24 chicken eggs, tall enough for turkey eggs. No frills but work well. Another week or so and I'll load them up. I always hatch our own, cull the extra roosters and eat them. Trade juniors in the neighborhood. Most of my neighbors do not have electricty, so they are interested in them when they're off the heat lamp.

 

[user 7704]

At how many days do you guys candle your eggs. I don't want to open incubator too early.

 

[Mountain trapper]

At how many days do you guys candle your eggs. I don't want to open incubator too early.

One of the incubators that I'm looking at has an automatic egg candler. Not sure how it works.

 

[user 7704]

So does mine AD. There is a light on top and you put an egg in it and the light is really bright. It's cool, I just don't know how long to wait before the embryo shows.

One of the incubators that I'm looking at has an automatic egg candler. Not sure how it works.

 

[Cindyd]

2 Questions:

I have 23 hens right now and 2RIR roosters. Hens are a variety of 1 or two of one breed or another. Variety ranges from americana, white jersey giants, golden comet, leghorn, black star, columbian wyandott, barred plymouth rock, cinnamon queen, golden wyandott, black moran, and 1 RIR left. I have 2 white chickens with a hint of mauve color on their side feather and I do not recall what breed those are. Anyway, one of those, seems to be the older roosters favorite (poor thing).

I read a lot of info on one side or the other about cross breeding. Some say hybrids don't live as long, some say they are healthier. I am getting close to the point I am going to attept to hatch some eggs. I did get incubator.

Any particular downside to cross breeding that any of you know of? Other than unless one wants pure breds only?

I wouldn't mind separating the 1 RIR with the older rooster though, just to keep 1 line of pure RIR off and on.

 

[user 7704]

I just let my roosters do it with whomever they like. I have mentioned I haven't had much luck getting them to hatch so I got the incubator. I do have a cross breed of two pure breds. It turned out grey with feathered feet like her dad. She is large and healthy and 5 years old.

I know this doesn't answer you question. "THE CHICKEN CHICK" has extensive information on all things chicken. I have met her and talked to her via text a few times. She even wished my son happy birthday on her FB page.

 

[Cindyd]

Sounds good Robin! Thanks! I will check her out.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

I just let my roosters do it with whomever they like. I have mentioned I haven't had much luck getting them to hatch so I got the incubator. I do have a cross breed of two pure breds. It turned out grey with feathered feet like her dad. She is large and healthy and 5 years old.

I know this doesn't answer you question. "THE CHICKEN CHICK" has extensive information on all things chicken. I have met her and talked to her via text a few times. She even wished my son happy birthday on her FB page.

I bought one of her books years ago. Really like her work! That’s cool she wished your son HB!

 

[user 7704]

She met him in person at a TSC in Nashville and she thought he was funny. He sticks with people.

She and I also had a situation with a real White Supremacy guy and we talked about that. Lol

I've been off FB for a few years so I have no idea what's happening with her channels

 

[Amish Heart]

I never candle and I don't worry about it. What hatches, hatches. The cross breeding is fine, unless you are set on certain breeds. I had Jungle Fowl I was raising, and they were kept on their own. So were the silkies. Now I just breed barnyard mixes, but I only have the larger heritage breed birds. Some of the mixes are really nice.

 

[Cindyd]

I checked the chicken chick's web site out. I ordered 2 saddles for my hens from her site. Her saddles were recommended by another you tuber I watch (The Featherbrain), as the best one. I had to separate the one white hen that the big rooster will not leave alone. It rained the past 2 days, and yeseterday her feathers on her were worn thin on each side, and wet, with two "bald" places, not bleeding but pink skin showing. I was afraid in a day or two the wounds would be bleeeding and the other hens would start pecking and kill her, I put triple antiobiotic on the wounds so hopefully with separating her for a bit, she will start healing up, then I'll put the saddle on her. I feel stupid, and terrible I should have separated her before yesterday. I will know next time I see feathers first starting to thin, to put a saddle on. None of the rest of them have any indication of "too much wear".

 

[user 7704]

I have never had luck with saddles. I've bought a couple and then someone I met at the Chicken Chick event made one and gave to me. That one didnt work either. I've never had that much damage to a hen. I usually had 8 to 10 hens per roo.

The new rooster I have is a randy ole boy and when the Spring rush comes, I may see more wear and tear.

 

[user 7704]

Also, I like the Vetricin spray to put on animal wounds

 

[Proud Prepper]

My eggs for today..one of the ladies is playing a trick.

 

[user 7704]

We get those from the new layers. So cute

 

[Proud Prepper]

There's no new layers in that coop

 

[Cindyd]

I get one of those small eggs now n then. No idea why. Also, occasionally get a huge double egger now n then, no idea why.

I had to separate another white hen today, who was starting to show pale pink wound on her sides and feathers worn off. I have 23 hens to 2 roosters! Youngest just now starting to crow and find the hens. I think that's not a bad ratio for 2 roosters. The oldest rooster is culprit that favors my 2 leghorns.
Anyone think I can use the biostructure silver gel I ordered from health ranger on the hens wounds?

 

[Proud Prepper]

I get one of those small eggs now n then. No idea why. Also, occasionally get a huge double egger now n then, no idea why.

I had to separate another white hen today, who was starting to show pale pink wound on her sides and feathers worn off. I have 23 hens to 2 roosters! Youngest just now starting to crow and find the hens. I think that's not a bad ratio for 2 roosters. The oldest rooster is culprit that favors my 2 leghorns.
Anyone think I can use the biostructure silver gel I ordered from health ranger on the hens wounds?

It's all natural.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

I checked the chicken chick's web site out. I ordered 2 saddles for my hens from her site. Her saddles were recommended by another you tuber I watch (The Featherbrain), as the best one. I had to separate the one white hen that the big rooster will not leave alone. It rained the past 2 days, and yeseterday her feathers on her were worn thin on each side, and wet, with two "bald" places, not bleeding but pink skin showing. I was afraid in a day or two the wounds would be bleeeding and the other hens would start pecking and kill her, I put triple antiobiotic on the wounds so hopefully with separating her for a bit, she will start healing up, then I'll put the saddle on her. I feel stupid, and terrible I should have separated her before yesterday. I will know next time I see feathers first starting to thin, to put a saddle on. None of the rest of them have any indication of "too much wear".

I’ve used saddles/aprons for years on hens that need protecting. The right ones work very well! The absolute best thing for hens with skin problems or almost problems is Nu-Stock! I’m not kidding. It was made for horses, but has been used on everything from chickens to dogs. Had a chicken that something got ahold of with a large hole in its side. Never thought the hen would make it through the day, but coated it with Nu-Stock anyway. Don’t you know that hen lived?! It kills infections too.

Here is the strongest, most adjustable apron/saddle I’ve used. Absolutely protects the hen! They hate it for the first day, but then learn to ignore it.




Roll over image to zoom in

• 
• 

DOWN UNDER OUTDOORS Chicken Saddle with Adjustable Straps for Medium and Large Hens, Chicken Apron, Poultry Saver, Pet Supplies, Including Shoulder Cover (Blue)​

Brand: DOWN UNDER OUTDOORS
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,734 ratings
Amazon's Choice

 

[user 7704]

I been been getting at least a dozen eggs per day out of 17 ladies. 3 or 4 of them are very old with one having arthritis so badly her toes are like a question mark. (Forrest Gump)

Yesterday I got 15 and the weather has been cold. This new feed has to be the reason. I don't use supplemental lightening.

 

[Cisco85]

I've been using the Down Under saddles and have no complaints.
My 3 chicks are growing like weeds and when I go in their coop and sit they all jump on my lap. Still planning on keeping 1 hen and letting my other hen hatch a couple eggs.
No complaints allowing my hen to be a mom. About 5 weeks in she let me know she had fulfilled he job and wanted to go back to her flock. The young dinosaurs are thriving, playing with each other, and bonding...I forgot to mention they love to eat, lots of different types of food mixed in with their feed.

 

[Cindyd]

I'm shooting for this weekend to put some eggs in incubator! I'm getting 15-17 eggs per day with 23 hens. Tells ya how many are aged out. Gonna try n bring myself to put the non laying in freezer...admittedly dreading it and will have to make myself get it done. Have a feeling i'll back out. If we were hungry, would be easier and I wouldn't fret over it. Aaarggh!

 

[Proud Prepper]

I'm shooting for this weekend to put some eggs in incubator! I'm getting 15-17 eggs per day with 23 hens. Tells ya how many are aged out. Gonna try n bring myself to put the non laying in freezer...admittedly dreading it and will have to make myself get it done. Have a feeling i'll back out. If we were hungry, would be easier and I wouldn't fret over it. Aaarggh!

It will be a good test. If you can't eat a chicken that you raised as a layer, how well will you survive in a critical SHTF event? Feed it to the others and eat a can of spam. There's always options.

 

[user 7704]

If they are very old, may have to pressure cook them.

I definitely need to remove my poor hen with the arthritic, gnarly toes. I have started picking her up and placing her on and off the roost.

It looks like it is painful when she jumps.

 

[Mountain trapper]

If anyone is interested, Strombergs is running a sale on baby chick's. The have a pretty good selection, and the prices aren't bad either. You'll want to order early before there's a run on chick's. We always order ours early for delivery in June.

 

[user 7704]

If anyone is interested, Strombergs is running a sale on baby chick's. The have a pretty good selection, and the prices aren't bad either. You'll want to order early before there's a run on chick's. We always order ours early for delivery in June.

My first try using the incubator should be hatching on Saturday. Glory, I do not need 12 chick's. What was I thinking? Maybe they will all be roosters and we can give them away for soup making.

It is rather fun though. I got the dog cage ready today for after they hatch. Had to put deer netting around cage because I had one escape last year. He snuck through the bars and was running around the garage. I also ado cloth around the bottom half of cage because they throw pine shavings everywhere.

 

[Amish Heart]

Have chicken eggs in the incubator, and isolated 9 extra roosters for butchering...maybe I'll get it done tomorrow

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]