The Poultry Keeper

leebarton · Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 365 Location: Elgin, NE Scotland

Hi, I am new to the forum and poultry keeping. We have six chickens which we got on Saturday, and five appleyard duck eggs in an incubator. I am interested in breeding ducks and quail although I think the hubby isn't as keen. Our ideal eventually would be to be as self sufficient as possible.

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

What is your hatch date? Very Happy

Lots of pics posted please! Very Happy

leebarton · Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 365 Location: Elgin, NE Scotland

Hatch date is the 24th August. This is our first set of eggs, so I do hope they hatch. Anxious

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

I am sure that someone will be along soon to help you with incubating duck eggs...I have only done chicken eggs (and not too well at it either). Wink

annie · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 155 Location: costa del cambs

I know absolutely didleys about ducks but we do have 6 chickens so we have something in common, please tell us how you get on,what do appleyards look like? Wink

jaydee67 · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:16 pm Post subject:

We hatched ducks at school this spring - got 6 khaki campbells from 9 eggs, although one has a wonky foot. Welcome on board - and don't be afraid to ask questions - it's how we learn from each other!

mojo · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:41 pm Post subject: hatching

dont be shy ask each and every silly question remember a expert is only a beginner who began before you........welcome,,,,,,,,mojo Cool

surrey bird · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 61 Location: SURREY

Used to do duck eggs a lot years ago, they take longer to hatch but i always thought them worth the waiting. I used to have a 40w light bulb under a low box roof for next stage, expect it is all high tec now Very Happy

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leebarton · Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 365 Location: Elgin, NE Scotland

We are not really high tech. Our main incubator is a manual turn incubator, but it will only hold 6 eggs. I bought 10 eggs so the others are in a home made effort made by the other half. He used to help his Grandad raise chickens and they used a cardboard box with a bulb suspended over the top and that used to work. We thought we haven't got anything to lose as we have to wait four weeks for the others to hatch and the likelihood of the other hatching after the wait is less.

NannyP · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 12:00 pm Post subject:

That sounds like an interesting experiment, I hope it works and I'm sure that there were many other ways that people used before Incs became so adffordable and popular.
Good Luck, wouldn't it be great if you had 100% hatch rate Laughing

Course, Mojo being as ancient as he is, will probably remember how they did during the Boar War Laughing

stamina · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 1:00 pm Post subject:

Hey NannyP, don't be having a go at Mojo just 'cause he's in France Wink

. Mojo and I remember the way we did it on the Ark Laughing

Regards
Stamina.
P.S. I'm happy. We just (only just) beat the Ausies at cricket Laughing

NannyP · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 1:04 pm Post subject:

Pleased you're happy Chris, and I could have included you in the ancient statement!! Laughing

I guess I can plead forgiveness when I visit Mojo in the next few weeks Very Happy

deanojul67 · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 342

my next door neighbor was 80 odd when he died and he told me they used to hatch chickens out in the oven, one of those big old range jobs, i mentioned this to his wife who still lives next door and she says its true and they nearly all used to hatch.....makes u think doesn't it.

leebarton · Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 365 Location: Elgin, NE Scotland

From what I can see the main things is a constant and consistent temperature and the ability to raise humidity. The problem with most ovens is that they would be too hot. Incubators are a relatively new things so it does make you wonder how people managed before. Cool

deanojul67 · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 342

yup it sure does Smile