The Poultry Keeper

NannyP · Last edited by NannyP on Sat May 10, 2008 3:05 pm; edited 1 time in total

Will be at Day 18 tomorrow Very Happy

I candled a few days ago, and removed 2 (there were 21), but have decided to leave the rest (although there were a couple of questionable ones).

I've cleaned the brooder in readiness, and it is ready to go, all bar the heat lamp.

I think I am a little excited Rolling Eyes

and also a little (LITTLE!!!) mad......I am still tripping over the 8 week olds Laughing

edited to add: Make that 15, I have just candled and removed 4 more.
At least 2 chicks have already broken into the air space!

CP · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 1:04 am Post subject:

james419 · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 6:46 am Post subject:

When do you start the next batch,
Vanessa has just dropped of some runner duck eggs and asome indian game bird eggs - so we are also back in business - far to addictive this hatching business!
Your sasso's 1 & 2nd batches are all doing well - the whites are much bigger than the peach - the brahmas are growing a pace - will try and post some pics.

NannyP · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:42 am Post subject:

Oh yes, post some photos, especially of the Brahma coq Very Happy

In my 8 week old Sasso x's, the brown and whites are bigger than the apricot chicks. I am now not sure what I have hatching, as the eggs all looked very similar when I picked them out of the bonfire. Brown and white, or white will grow best I think.

Humidy up, turner off this morning.

danro

NannyP · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 11:33 am Post subject:

Hi Danny,

I use a 5 bulb LED torch.

My eggs are reasonably pale in colour, so I can see what's inside (once you know what you're looking for). It's virtually impossible to candle Marans or very dark shelled eggs.

In a very dark room, take an egg, shining the torch into the blunt end of the egg. You should see an air space, which increases in size during the incubation period. It's difficult to explain, but I can see the chicks head slightly, in the air space.
Compared to how the egg looks through most of the incubation, I can spot the difference. It takes practice, and when I first started candling, I found it difficult to see anything.

There are some sites on the internet with advice and pictures of candling....if you do a search on here, you'll probably come across them.

Good luck with your remaining eggs.
Very Happy

NannyP · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject:

One egg is already pipped Rolling Eyes

danro · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:11 pm Post subject:

NannyP · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:50 pm Post subject:

Thanks Danny, there are 3 eggs pipped now. They're not due til Sunday.

Very Happy

NannyP · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 7:25 am Post subject:

4 chicks this morning, one looking newly hatched.

And, oh dear, have not got any chick crumb Confused

bronskibeat · Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1400 Location: Clawddnewydd

that was the first thing I bought!! If its anything like the shortage of lamb milk round here, I wanted to be prepared Evil or Very Mad

I wanted to get turkey layer/breeder pellets, you know what I was told? Its not the season for layers or breeders pellets............. Confused

so exactly what do they feed adult turkeys that are not destined for the table and are laying eggs? Confused

NannyP · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 8:17 am Post subject:

Oh dear....sounds like you'll have to adapt??

I am feeding all mine wheat at the moment, so will have to nip out shortly and get some chick crumb. I had forgotten Very Happy

It is only Day 19 though, so I might have remembered by tomorrow Wink

NannyP · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 10:25 am Post subject:

Now have chick crumb, and 6 chicks Very Happy

Will transfer to brooder this evening, we're out this afternoon.

I suspect they may have been incubating before I removed them from the bonfire, they're very early.

james419 · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 10:40 am Post subject:

Congatulations - when do we get to see pics

Trouty says "ooooooooooooh"

NannyP · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 6:21 pm Post subject:

9 chicks, and it's still Day 19 Shocked

4 eggs pipping.

I'll take photos tomorrow, they are only mixed up chicks, so nothing to get excited about. I just hope the put weight on quickly Razz

Say Ooooh back to Trouty Wink