mostin Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 I want to trap nest my girls for a short time, just to confirm that who I think is laying what colour eggs, really is. I don't want to incubate the wrong ones. I was hoping I could buy a couple of ready made trap nests but I can't find any anywhere. I've found a few sites with instructions on building them, so I can get OH to do this if need be. I just wondered if anyone had found these anywhere else? Or has it been discussed on other forums anywhere? I found references to them on forum, but no one saying where they got them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Sorry Hon, but I've not had cause to look for any, mine all lay very different eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Not heard of them but quite a clever idea! The only other thing I can think could be to separate someone you think is laying an egg for a day and see if it is her ... or a camera in the nestbox I found this link with a plans and a photo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 I reckon this sort of thing would probably be homemade I agree with Lewis, separate one in to a small area by herself, swap them each day till you establish what is what Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 1, 2010 Author Share Posted January 1, 2010 I reckon this sort of thing would probably be homemade I agree with Lewis, separate one in to a small area by herself, swap them each day till you establish what is what I am almost certain, by doing this already, down to just a couple of ? now. I only want to hatch from one female sussex at once so I don't mix future bloodlines and cross brothers sisters etc, and unfortunately it's always the sussex pairs, i.e the two buff that lay really similar eggs . I will just have to put one on her own as she lays for a week, to make sure I'm collecting from only the girl I want each time . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Cant help with the trap nest Mostin, but am really interested in your breeding. I would love to hatch some eggs but worry about what I would do with any boys. What do you plan to do with any? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 You can smear a very small amount of food colouring around the outside of the vent which will then smear on the egg. I have used this a few times and it works well. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Very clever Tom! I remember spraying a hen with purple spray as she was being pecked and her eggs had purple on them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 1, 2010 Author Share Posted January 1, 2010 You can smear a very small amount of food colouring around the outside of the vent which will then smear on the egg. I have used this a few times and it works well. Tom Wow, cool , thanks Tom, I will try this method Cant help with the trap nest Mostin, but am really interested in your breeding. I would love to hatch some eggs but worry about what I would do with any boys. What do you plan to do with any? ummmmmmm *whispers.....eat them *. As Bill and Rod get older, I will have to look for replacements , which is why I need to know exactly who has been bred with who, or I may buy in males to open the bloodline? It's all completely new to me . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Thanks That's right Mostin, any boys hatched now you shouldn't breed back to their mother however you could breed them back to the other hen unless the 2 hens are related. It's probably easiest to buy in a new male bloodline. In-breeding can be done but after a few generations it can really effect the birds health wise including deformities. It is also proven that males fertility can decrease if they are from in-bred stock. I stop blabbin on now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 That vent food dye is really clever! I want to try it even though I know who lays what The other thing I was going to say, can you put one of the sussex's with Rod for a week so you know you get the right eggs off the other hen, fertilised by Bill (or the other way round) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Poultry House Construction ISBN0947870210 it's one of the Gold Cckeral books has trap nest plans in. it's the book I refered to when I build my set up http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Poultry+House+Construction++&x=11&y=17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Good idea Tom! Personally I'd buy in new bloodlines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Ahh of course cockerel glut sorted - What a brilliant idea Tom, think i might even try that just to find out exactly whose egg is whose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 1, 2010 Author Share Posted January 1, 2010 That vent food dye is really clever! I want to try it even though I know who lays what The other thing I was going to say, can you put one of the sussex's with Rod for a week so you know you get the right eggs off the other hen, fertilised by Bill (or the other way round) Never thought of that , I guess that's why we have forums . I still can't wait to get my hands on some food dye . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I'm never going to look at food dye the same way again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Love the idea of the food dye. One of the Babes has started to lay (or is it 2 of them???) and I have no idea who did what. With regard to the big girls I can see from the shapes who does what (and Tipsy's completely different anyway). After the fighting for the nest box yesterday, I think the partitions would be a brilliant option anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 Daisy the ex-batt came flying out of the nest box this morning looking very annoyed when I went up with their porridge this morning. As far as I'm aware the ex-batts have never layed an egg that isn't a softie, but they've just finished moulting and for the last 2 days I've had an egg who I wasn't sure of the owner? Off to the shop today methinks to get some food colouring, I did one of those manic tidy outs before crimble and threw all mine as it was about 6 years out of date . Time to test my theory. Egluntyne has made me promise to get photos of the application process, so watch this space . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Looking forward to those piccies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 Unfortunately, due to my niece being in hospital still, and the other niece coming to stay with us for a few days, the day went completely manic and I didn't get any time to myself while it was still daylight . Once everyone had finally left, Georgie and I went to the shops and bought 5 different colours of food colouring and a bag of cotton wool balls.. I've done some weird things since owning chickens, but I have never yet pulled them out of their houses in the dark, turned them upside down, and painted their bottoms, , until tonight . They were NOT impressed. I am dying to see if this works tomorrow. It was completely dark, I was wearing a head torch, so no photos I'm afraid , it was not dignified, for them or me . My eglu and cube are also decorated with multicoloured spots now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 yay! rainbow eggs...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Thats hilarious Mostin, what an image in my head now I wish it was all on video! Cant wait for the results! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 I will forever have the images of winking vents branded in my mind as they wee painted different colours . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 On a serious note, I know, not like me but... if the colouring dries then it wont come off on the eggs and if it doesnt dry, wont it just be rubbed off overnight? Just a thought, will have to wait for your results mozzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 I really have no idea what to expect, just waiting for tomorrow. Hope the little angels don't go on strike after the shock of being painted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
