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Post by shea on Sept 17, 2010 16:38:08 GMT 8
Its started again. I've just looked through the top of my incubator and the 1st one had pipped. 14 are from my bantams (first time incubating) and 36 out of the big pen. A couple of days ago I threw out a smelly one from the big pen. I haven't candled them at all so it will be a surprise as to how many I'll get. The pekins will be the interesting ones as Alfie has finally managed to get the business done from the right end To make way for them in the brooder, I put the 5 babies (4.5 weeks old) in with the 3 x 8 week olds from Pingu and his 2 wyandotte ladies. My son was home sick so we watched carefuly that the little ones wouldn't be bullied but it was the opposite. The 8 week olds ran away from the little ones. What a sight. Glad it all worked out well though, now I feel quite confident about the number of babies I could end up with ;D
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Post by annieyokie on Sept 17, 2010 17:32:51 GMT 8
Exciting times .Keep us posted
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Post by jacquie on Sept 17, 2010 19:02:01 GMT 8
oh how wonderful, i am glad to hear that alfie finally worked it out the right way round, and good luck with the hatch.
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Post by quambie on Sept 17, 2010 19:47:30 GMT 8
I had forgotten about that thanks Jacquie
THE HELICOPTER HAS LANDED ;D ;D ;D Trev
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Post by shea on Sept 17, 2010 19:53:30 GMT 8
The helicopter surely has landed ;D 1 of the pekins is pipping and about 4 from the big pen, we are all happy except for the football score haha don't support either but would prefer that Collingwood loose.
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Post by shea on Sept 18, 2010 7:31:04 GMT 8
Well this morning we have 3, 1 light sussex x black australorp and 2 pekins. 1 is yellow and the other a very light blue, none of the parents hatched this colour so I probably won't be able to sell this one. Gosh how many will I sell if they're all a bit different. I'm a bit concerned about space. The ones that have hatched so far have been on the outside. There are 49 eggs in a 60 chook egg plastic type from fantastic farms. there are a fews gaps around the edges but the centre ones all sort of roll into the middle. Should I remove the 3 shells to free up a bit of space or leave them be. Usually we are naughty and have a quick peak before bedtime but this time I really don't want to open it.
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Post by jacquie on Sept 18, 2010 17:28:29 GMT 8
it doesn't really matter if you quickly open the incubator to remove the eggshells, it is better than an eggshell sticking over the end of a pipping chick and preventing it from hatching. by now you have probably made a decision anyhow lol.
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Post by shea on Sept 18, 2010 21:41:09 GMT 8
Thanks Jacquie, yep I ended up having to make a decision as 1 was trying to push itself out and it was totally surrounded as the few chicks hatched had pushed all the eggs together. We just opened it then to remove eggshells and 22 have hatched. ;D ;D YAY. Lucky we did as one of the bantams eggs was totally pushed into a large shell, would've had a hard time hatching. As this is the first time these bantams have produced eggs, its exciting to see what they turn out like. One is light blue and looks like another has just hatched the same but will need to wait till she dries. Another is yellow with a strip down her back. I'll post some pics in the morning when we put them in the brooder.
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Post by shea on Sept 18, 2010 22:52:27 GMT 8
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Post by jacquie on Sept 19, 2010 15:01:18 GMT 8
oh you have some lovely chickabees there, how exciting for you. how many hatched in the end? looks like those hexbators do a good job.
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Post by shea on Sept 19, 2010 20:24:47 GMT 8
30 so far, day 21 was yesterday so I will leave them until Tuesday. I am happy with that. it hasn't cose me anything as its my own eggs and it gves the kids and me a thrill. I also forgot to turn them 1 day about day 8 so I don't know what impact that would have. 7 out of 14 pekins. They hadn't been laying very long so will check the dates onthe eggs once I empty the incubator. 23 out of 35 from the big pen. 1 has pipped ages ago but it hasn't prgressed at all. I don't think it's going to make it
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Post by linda29 on Sept 20, 2010 16:57:56 GMT 8
Hi Shea I would rather be hame that at school too. Watching the chicks is so exciting and fun. Enjoy. Cheers Linda
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Post by quambie on Sept 25, 2010 15:57:13 GMT 8
What a brood, good on you Shea. They do look good. I have the same bator and I have not filled it up yet, so its great to se it in full swing Trev
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Post by edwards on Sept 25, 2010 21:38:12 GMT 8
so many beautiful babies!! i got this picture from the internet im showing to my dog. A visitor let him into the run and he killed two! babies. now i have only three left.
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Post by shea on Sept 26, 2010 17:09:33 GMT 8
Oh thats a shame edwards. We have had things happen in the past with our dog that died a couple of years ago, our staffy Jess doesn't seem to bothered by them. They grow so quickly. 8 days old today. Already have lots of wing feathering, hopefully that means more girls than boys
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