The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Dave C on September 21, 2016, 03:25:21 pm
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Just wondering if anyone was still hatching ?
I've enjoyed my hatching this year and with this warm weather I was thinking of one more batch which would be laying early next year.
Anyone else ?
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I don't hatch after July. The birds are well grown enough to survive the Winter and start laying around Christmas, depending on breed.
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:wave:
I can't stop hatching and tend to do it year-round. I've just put 12 Ixworth and a few d'Anvers in - they should hatch on the 7th. I'm in the South east though and it stays relatively warm down here. They stay inside until they've fluffed up and go into a shed if it stays relatively mild. ;D
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No sadly not now, the broodies have gone off, so not until next year if I have the time. How has everyone elses done then? :)
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What warmer weather? Nighttime temperatures dropping to 9C at night this week and that's here in the south. By the time new chicks have hatched it's highly likely it'll be much cooler during the day too than it is now, it'll be well into October by then.
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Due to blatantly poor management on our part, we have broodies hatching chicks all over the place. All are now present and correct so no more surprises, but I really wouldn't want them hatching any later than this.
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What warmer weather? Nighttime temperatures dropping to 9C at night this week and that's here in the south. By the time new chicks have hatched it's highly likely it'll be much cooler during the day too than it is now, it'll be well into October by then.
Well, when I say warmer, I mean no plummeting temperatures. I mean, last year there wasn't even a frost here. It'll come back and bite me I bet - everyone's saying the coldest winter in fifty years...but then don't they say that every year?
My incubator's in the house and the chicks normally stay inside too if it's very cold.....gets a bit pongy :yuck:
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nah, I can't be bothered if they aren't hatched by end of June. They need to get to a decent size and weight before winter up here-we're already doing down to 4/5C overnight. I have two 8 week old growers and 11 5week old ducklings-all broody raised-and thats enough.
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My last are now 10 weeks and I'm collecting 30 more day olds for a customer who has indoor facilities to grow them on but have opted out of adding more for myself as I have limited space and need them able to go outdoors by 6 weeks.
Will start raising more late March under brooder.
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Yes I've decided to apply some self control and wait until early next year.
I have some Indian Game chicks at about 4 weeks and I'm finding myself checking next weeks weather to see when they can go out
So in another months time it will be a bit of a non starter.
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Hi
Had an unexpected hatch four weeks ago. Ended up putting eggs in the incubator as the hen decided one was enough. As I did not have the heat lamp to hand they survived with a hot water bottle and radiator inside the house ..... Rad is now switched off and the bottles went two weeks ago. Amazing how one can improvise!! They are all fine and feathered up and about to go into the boiler store as yes it is smelly!! Changing cardboard boxes every other day!! But worth it if they survive but I would not recommend hatching at this time of year especially in Scotland!!