The Dogmother Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 Which reminds me....I'd better tidy the top room before the weekend Mel.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 Dont worry about it Oh no, hang on (& Paul) is coming. He'll be checking the top of the door frames for dust (honestly! - lucky I love him so much or he'd be history) (oh yeah, and he cleans out the chicken coops and does the dog poo run in the garden, and clears the drains and takes the bins out - he's quite useful really) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 Dont worry about itOh no, hang on (& Paul) is coming. He'll be checking the top of the door frames for dust (honestly! - lucky I love him so much or he'd be history) (oh yeah, and he cleans out the chicken coops and does the dog poo run in the garden, and clears the drains and takes the bins out - he's quite useful really) Can I borrow him for a few days? I've plenty up here to keep him busy for a while..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 sorry I have far too long a list for him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 Jersey Giant/orpington - sounds lovely!! Can't wait for the pics Martin!! Sophie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swindon_clucker Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 Martin you get to hatch chicks I havent got chicks yet you know I am pretty envious as everyone else on the forum is most likely cant wait for photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 Martin, I noticed the eggs in your signature today and told Lizzy and Cathy. They're very excited for you, AND, it reminded them how much they would like to hatch some chicks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 I got a lamp from Tescos and you can adjust the height. It's at the reqired, constant temperatre. Good luck to others of you willing to hatch Will keep you all updated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted September 12, 2006 Author Share Posted September 12, 2006 Martin how are the eggs doing? wasn't today hatching day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 Well Martin Are you a Dad yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 we're waiting................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 Mind you, knowing Martin, I would imagine he would tell us all as soon as he knew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 He'll be pacing the garden, like an expectant father, waiting for news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 Come on Lovie, spill the beans..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 Isn't he at school? I hope he doesn't miss it all happening - we missed ours while we were at the Omlet Do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 He's got them in his bedroom; I am surprised that the light hasn't kept him awake. The chicks certainly will when they hatch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 I couldn't stand the racket of the chicks in the kitchen - that's why we poped them under the brrody who had hatched chicks just 7 days earlier. Good Luck Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 I'm confused - if you hatch chicks, without the aid of a broody, how do they feed to start with - do you have to feed them, or are they clever enough to get their own food? (I know it's a daft question! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 No it's not a daft question - we had to lokk in the book. You have to put some of the chick crumb on a sheet of paper then use your finger like a beak and tap around the food. They are inquisitive and come to investigate ans will peck. They soon realise it is food. You can't keep them on shavings until they are eating well as they may think shavings are food. We kept ours on kitchen paper so they don't get splay legs. Water is more difficult because you have to pick the chick up and dip its beak in the water a few times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 And then they get it, and fend for themselves?? hmmmmmmmmmm.......... Perhaps this hatching lark is slightly easier than I thought....... I wonder of chookiehubbie would mind sharing the bedroom with an incubator..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 ..... but you have to keep them warm and inside for 4 weeks I'd rather use a broody anytime. It is so wonderful to see them teaching their babies what they can and can't eat. When we have the Dinners or turkeys straight from a hatchery they will try to eat everything - including thistles They soon learn and seem to know what is poisonous or not but I'd still rather use a brrody. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 When you say 'keep them warm', does that mean keeping them under a heat lamp, or just keeping them in a warmed room? I live in hope that one of the girls goes broody, now we're down to 3 chickens again, I'd really like to refill the run, but would love to do it with a couple of eggs - I find the whole process fascinating, and think it would be great for the children to see the whole 'circle of life', as it were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 They really do need a special heat lamp. We were thrown in at the deep end by mixing eggs under the brrody. She hatched two and then left the other eggs. Ours were in the incubator for just a week I think, and we hadn't thought it through. When they hatched, we put them in a cardboard box and put it under the under cupboard lights in the kitchen - the ones under the wall cupboards. They were warm enough but they shouldn't really be under the strong light. We're going to use a ceramic light for the next lot which are due next week - it gives heat but not light. They are not cheap though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 You can get red lights Lesley which are about £5 each and the chicks can't see the light emitted They should be available from a farm feed supplier but it is usually the sort of item you have to ask for as they won't be on display The ceramic ones always worry me in case they come down as the get so hot and stay hot for ages when switched off I always worried about setting fire to something or hurting the chicks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 Thanks Louise - I forgot about the red lamps. I thought the ceramic one would be better but you're right about the heat from them. I'll pick up a red lamp from Countrywide this weekend - I remember seeing them in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
