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wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

Well my six RIR eggs have been in the incubator for two weeks now Smile

. Don't time drag? Its like watching the kettle with an empty tea cup Confused

I also have a further six RIR`s and six Orps in the post. I hope some of them hatch!! worry worry worry!. Laughing

I also have four Marams and a clucky Dorking hen. So come next spring I should have a bit of a flock. With a bit of luck. What sort of poultry do you keep?

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chook · Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 305 Location: North Clare

Are you going to give the Dorking the eggs in the post? You could give her the fertile ones from the 'bator or the hatched chicks. Would save you a lot of electricity.

I'm inundated with chicks at the moment. Out of 22 hens, 6 are leading chicks and 3 are sitting on eggs. Pure madness.
I have double-laced Barnevelders and a mixed flock with Orpingtons, crosses, and a Marans.

chook

wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

I can see why your handle is Chook Laughing

. I have thought about putting the eggs under the Dorking Confused

She clucks around the Marams and Phil told me that she had gone broody. Would she sit on them if I just place them in a nest box and give her access?. Would I have to separate her from the Marams?. Shocked

This is all new stuff to me and I luv it but I would not want to put the eggs at risk. Any advise would be appreciated Chook.

Cheers
Chris.
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chook · Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 305 Location: North Clare

Camile · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 3:10 pm Post subject:

Good luck with the hatching Wayland ...

If I remember well you didn't have chickens last week when we met did you ?

did you feel a urge to get some we you left ! eh eh !

I've never tried buying eggs from ebay or posted eggs so can't relate ... but I would trust chook or Callie 100% .. they are poultry addict !

Congratulations and finger crossed for a 100% hatch !

Camile

wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

Thanks Chook and Camile for the advise and encouragement. I will do as you say Chook and test her to see if she is broody. The other eggs have arrived now and the incubator is full. It would be good to take a few out to make turning less tricky. With hands like shovels I am afraid that I may break them. When I got the birds home they were put into the run together. After a few scuffels the Dorking got very clucky over the young Marams and she fusses them about. Its good to see her doing this. Would she have formed an attachment to them that would prevent her from sitting on eggs? I will put some other eggs in a nest box today and see what happens.

Hi Camile. I did have some eggs in the incubator when we met but I did not have a coop to keep hens in. I was of the opinion that I got 21 days to sort it so no problem. Then I met Blowin and Phil and ended up comming away with stock. So I have been busy this week and now have an ark and run. So the timing of the all this was set by events. You did however spur me on to design my new extension with a loft like yours. A place to grow anything Wink

I have also ordered a poly tunnel like yours.
So thanks for that.

Cheers

Chris.
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Camile · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:40 am Post subject:

Hi Chris,

it's a shame you hadn't seen Blowin and Phil first then .. because I really wanted to give you that young rooster that I have no use for whatsoever ... I wasn't kidding !

and I'm glad you made it back home safely .. and that the gardai didn't catch you for drink driving !

and I'm glad you liked the idea of the traditional irish loft Wink

wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

Hi Camile. Thanks for the offer of the unwanted cock Confused

I did not wish to take you up on your kind offer because I have specific plans for specific breeds at the moment. This chook rearing is all new to me, as in the past I just collected the eggs and replaced the stock when they got to old. So taking advise on what breeds and crosses produce a good quality carcass, I am left with an Orpington cock and a Dorking hen. Not, you understand, that there was anything wrong with your cock of course Shocked

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Camile · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 12:32 pm Post subject:

Hi wayland !

don't worry .. I was just teasing you ..

I've got the same plan in mind, except that I don't aim at pure breed stocks ..

but I hope that the orpington cockerel is as good as mine . I got a breeding duo from Callie and these birds are enormous ..

I plan on breeding from them this year or next .. right now they are crossing with the rest ...

PS: The only thing wrong with that cockerel is that he is a bantam, silky crossed with a warren to be precise. Not much meat on them but carries a good broody gene with him ... but definitely not pure breed ..

Camile

wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

Yes mate. This is all new to me of course. The reason I am trying to keep PB breeding stock is to try to maintain a carcass quality. Its all in the eating of course and I may well change the blood line once I get more experienced.

Cheers.

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