tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post6436831412960265581..comments2023-10-21T16:38:35.007-05:00Comments on Thoughts from Frank and Fern: Baby Chicks, 3 Days LeftFrank and Fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-28513376997783546982014-03-14T07:33:19.873-05:002014-03-14T07:33:19.873-05:00Yes, the hatch wasn't the best but they have a...Yes, the hatch wasn't the best but they have arrived. The temperature didn't get too high, if anything it may have run just a bit cool. But they are here and doing well.<br /><br />Fern<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-31883643820141723812014-03-14T07:32:10.612-05:002014-03-14T07:32:10.612-05:00Hi Lisa,
Yes, they do produce their own heat duri...Hi Lisa,<br /><br />Yes, they do produce their own heat during incubation. That's why it is important to keep a very close eye on the temperature throughout the process.<br /><br />They are growing like weeds and fun to watch.<br /><br />Thanks for coming by and leaving us a comment.<br /><br />Fern<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-76871250217877745742014-03-13T07:40:26.382-05:002014-03-13T07:40:26.382-05:00The temperature should increase about midway in th...The temperature should increase about midway in the hatch due to the little chicks beginning to create their own body heat. When that happens it's important to adjust the temp down so they don't overheat!<br /><br />Looking forward to pics of the little ones! Thanks so much for sharing on The HomeAcre Hop!lisa lynnhttp://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-13005239312428527592014-03-10T00:28:04.247-05:002014-03-10T00:28:04.247-05:00Did anything hatch? Did the temperature get too h...Did anything hatch? Did the temperature get too high? Can't wait to hear about the EGGcitment! K in OK <><Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-1664741007251556022014-03-09T19:09:12.865-05:002014-03-09T19:09:12.865-05:00Ralph, thank you, great comment. The primary reaso...Ralph, thank you, great comment. The primary reason I have never tried to let a hen hatch eggs, is that years ago we did try a couple of times but the hen would abandon the nest after about two weeks. Once, I took some of those eggs, brought them in the house and put them in a large stainless steel mixing bowl. But first, inside that mixing bowl, I put in a heating pad, a couple of towels, then the eggs, then put another towel on top. This hatched about five or six of those eggs. So, needless to say, we have never been successful.<br /><br />When I order birds, I do take into consideration whether they are non-broody or will make good mothers. I think in the near future I will do a post about hatching eggs using a hen, ask a group of questions and hope for very constructive comments. This would not only benefit me, but hopefully some of the other readers.<br /><br />Thanks again. Your comment is certainly appreciated.<br /><br />Frank<br /><br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-76416451958450155912014-03-09T06:32:32.602-05:002014-03-09T06:32:32.602-05:00For letting the hen do all the work, use a broody ...For letting the hen do all the work, use a broody breed hen. I have always had good luck with a Black Australorpe. When your favorite hen goes broody, separate her from the other hens so you don't get a lazy hen laying eggs under your broody hen. If your rooster or roosters have been doing their job, you should have a set of fertilized eggs to put under your hen. Keep feed and water available for her. Let her out into the yard to exercise her legs (say morning and evening) for a short while. And don't worry about her, she has been to "brooding" school and knows what to do. She will deal with the temperature and turning for you. Just set the timer and wait your prescribed number of days. Oh! By the way, she doesn't mind if you slip her a couple of goose eggs or duck eggs or guinea eggs or..... She is racially blind and will hatch any fertilized egg you ask her to. My Australorpe hens have always been over dedicated. If there were unhatched eggs, they didn't want to give up. At some point, you have to step in and dispose of the dead eggs. She would literally stay on the eggs until she died, I think. There are many more broody breeds (and perfectly good ones). My experience though is with Black Australorpes. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! What the heck? What do you have to lose? A dozen eggs and a little time? Go for it! Get a broody breed hen and loan her a dozen eggs. She will amply repay you. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09489918728515115111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-13177302517754538592014-03-05T19:32:46.056-06:002014-03-05T19:32:46.056-06:00Leigh,
We have never been successful with letting...Leigh,<br /><br />We have never been successful with letting the hen hatch her own eggs. And, we've only tried a couple of times. If the day comes we need to, I will certainly use that technique. I wish I just knew how.<br /><br />Thank you for the comment.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-82609072520655208622014-03-05T19:30:49.688-06:002014-03-05T19:30:49.688-06:00K,
That's a great idea, but instead of wooden...K,<br /><br />That's a great idea, but instead of wooden rulers, I will use plastic because that is what I have in storage in the 'little kid box'.<br /><br />At first I didn't use a turner, but it does save work and time. Now that I'm home and retired, I may go back to just hand turning. More eggs in the incubator that way. It also gives you a chance to bond with the chicks early. (-:<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-12165454620748350742014-03-05T19:27:13.039-06:002014-03-05T19:27:13.039-06:00Hi Fiona,
I have done this many times and I'm...Hi Fiona,<br /><br />I have done this many times and I'm still just as excited as the first time. I always have a fear that I got the eggs too hot or too cold and that none will hatch. Only once have I had a 100% hatch rate. Most of the time it's about 30 chicks out of 41 eggs. But on occasion I have had around 20 hatch. So, the official numbers will be in Sunday afternoon and I am excited as usual.<br /><br />Frank<br />Frank and Fernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15570058990887565563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-47238530272954904642014-03-05T10:43:20.200-06:002014-03-05T10:43:20.200-06:00There is such a science to this! Absolutely amazin...There is such a science to this! Absolutely amazing. I'm afraid I take the easy way out and just let a mama hen do it. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-14971840909697060592014-03-05T00:41:59.663-06:002014-03-05T00:41:59.663-06:00Love your interesting and detailed pictures! I ha...Love your interesting and detailed pictures! I have hatched chicks but had to turn them 4 times a day except no turning on the last day. I think a turner would be a great improvement. One thing we used that you might like to try was to place those wooden school rulers on the screen so the eggs would not roll and crack. They could wiggle but not roll into each other. Just a thought.<br />Thanks!<br />K in OK <><Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7003348645601520194.post-81730826112206568062014-03-04T22:14:48.728-06:002014-03-04T22:14:48.728-06:00It is suspenseful isn't it? I can hardly wait...It is suspenseful isn't it? I can hardly wait to see how your hatch goes!Fionahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05348495575211204989noreply@blogger.com