running before you walk...

mickwood · « **on:** July 25, 2008, 22:18 »

OK OK...I know I've only just got the chucks but I'd be interested in starting to gather some knowledge on hatching chicks

but... are there any breeds/techniques that could allow only female chicks (I doubt it but ya never know!) Unfortunately due to my house location i cannot have cockerels

What is involved in hatching eggs? Any special equipment/feed etc needed?

All info to make my decision on doing it or not very welcome!!

Vember · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2008, 22:25 »

Normally get more males than females hatch

You either need a broody hen (best way)
or
an incubator (nearly always get some problem :? )

They take 21 days to hatch sometimes a day or two longer

waiting for the 21 days to be up is a nightmare

the babies need chick crumbs warmth and a secure place to live magpies & crows will take babies!!!!

Sometimes none hatch, sometimes they all hatch, sometimes they hatch but have problems like splayed leg

there's bound to be more i remember but I think those are the top pointers

poultrygeist · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2008, 22:25 »

As long as you only buy pink eggs you're ok

Rob

Vember · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2008, 22:26 »

Quote from: "poultrygeist"

As long as you only buy pink eggs you're ok

Rob

LMAO

if only

mickwood · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2008, 22:33 »

Thanks Vember!

Do people want cockerels? i.e. could I get rid of them (in a nice way!) I couldn't neck them...religious rules and all that

How old would you sell them? and would it be before they starting their whole cock a doodle doo shenanigans?

chooknewbie · « **Reply #5 on:** July 26, 2008, 08:14 »

good luck getting rid of cockrels....you have to give them away with some sort of bribe normally....lol.... I have got 10 eggs in my incy at the moment...i am thinking i will be lucky if i get 5 or 6 to hatch, and the majority of them will be male.... i must be crazy!

Vember · « **Reply #6 on:** July 26, 2008, 08:47 »

The males are very difficult to get sell

They all start making their call (doodle doo) at diffrent times some mature faster than others, with certain breeds it can be very difficult to tell males from females until you either hear the noise or get an egg.

They normally stay with mum untill 8 weeks old, but still need each other to keep warm, mum normally decides when she's had enough.

Don't think i'd even think about rehoming till at least 10 - 12 weeks old (prob longer

)but I've never had to do it so not really sure on what the age is for that :?

Hope that helps a bit

Foxy · « **Reply #7 on:** July 26, 2008, 13:15 »

yes agree with Vember -very difficult to sell or give away really -a shame as generally speaking you will get more cocks than hens....... :oops: Although if you are happy to raise for food it isn't so bad a very hard decision to make though

Fifitrix · « **Reply #8 on:** July 26, 2008, 14:23 »

Hey Mike

Welcome to my world! I bought chickens in February and got the bug so bad I was hatching chicks in May!

I managed to borrow an incubator from a friend and got the eggs off Ebay (sorry to all you anti-ebayers :oops: ). I have a book by Kate Spears about hatching chicks and she gives lots of ideas about how you could make your own incubator.

It's really great fun, Mike, I highly recommend it. We have 3 chicks growing VERY fast. We've kept them in an indoor guinea pig cage with a desk light as a heat lamp and they've thrived (well apart from the one eaten by the neighbours cat :cry: :evil: ).

We now have the dilema of introducing them to the other chickens looming and so far they really peck them when they're introduced. :? :roll:

Good luck though.

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running before you walk...

Vember

poultrygeist

Vember

Vember

Foxy