I was JUST thinking of that! But do those legbands expand? I would like to do mine so each year I can recognize the chicks that are the oldest for culling. JB had a great idea for marking...but I will need to find it for ya. Off hand I would say maybe some nail polish? You could mark the bottom of the foot...I am not sure if you put some on the back of the head (to see easier) if the others would try pecking at it.
The Eggs are in The Bator!
I think they would peck at it. Even if they had legbands, I think
they would peck at those. The legbands I've looked at are
plastic and metal, and they make different sizes, so they
would have to be replaced as they grow. I don't know of any
expandables. The poultry suppliers have the spiral kind, don't
think those expand either. But, all come in different colors,
so all born this year could have purple, i.e.
They also make wing clips. These would fit any birds, and they
make teeny ones for quail and wild birds. Depending on what
kind you get, determines how much info on each you could
keep.
may princess tammy have many colors.
I just bought some spiral legbands on eBay. The size 12 fit standard size chickens. I don't know about banding little chicks. I think there are some that are expandable, but don't remember where I saw the info.
I am going to use mine for the same reason. I have to know which are which so I can cull the older chickens. I am also going to put one on our broody hens so I know which ones I want to keep for future brooding.
Makes sence...I think I am just going to paint all my chicks' toenails. hahaha...just kidding! I will probably just wait until they are about 4-5 months old and then put the adult legbands on them.
Well, I banded the most broody hen today. The bands I have are green ones which are 12s and red ones which I think are 10s. I used one of the red ones today and will use the green ones after I hatch the chickens I want to put in the freezer.
Then after that I will probably change back to the red ones next year so I will have a continuous change year by year.
I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking about banding. It makes
good sense, and will help a lot in keeping track of all the chicks
progress. I want to know who lays the best eggs, and who are the
healthiest, not to mention, knowing who will go in the freezer.
I won't have to worry about Timex anymore. She expired in the
night. Though I saw improvement when she drank some
water, I only saw her peck at the feed trough once. I think she
never learned to eat, and I was feeding her 4x a day. Mother
Nature always knows best.
Today is Day 15 of Blanca's eggs. The chickscope site
lists only *the beak and claws become firm* as todays
development. I removed the egg turner today, and put
the quail and Blanca's eggs on the wire floor of the bator.
I marked Blanca's so I can continue turning them until
Sunday. I will not raise the humidity for the quail until then,
so Blanca's are not kept too humid for too long, unless the
quail start to pip earlier. The quail incubate for only 17-18
days, so are due Sun-Mon, as I put them in the bator a day
earlier than Blanca's.
may princess tammy enjoy the best of health.
This message was edited Feb 14, 2008 9:15 AM
Sorry about Timex. That is very sad, but glad your others are doing well! Mine are due tomorrow...and hopefully all will go well. I took my grandmother a dozen roses...a dozen eggs...and then out to lunch. She was crying, and I asked what was wrong. She said, "I just love farm eggs!" It was awfully cute. I would take a carton of our fresh eggs of a box of chocolates anyday!
I agree with your grandma...farm eggs are much superior to store-bought.
Well, there will be no chicks here this time...I think the eggs froze. When I went out to check yesterday evening, the frost on the inside of the henhouse was about 1/4 inch thick. I checked the nest and it seemed to be damp and cool to the touch. DH went out to get eggs today and said there was only one egg in the next and the marked ones were gone. Mama hen wasn't on the nest either, so they must have eaten the ones she was sitting on. They will do that if the eggs fail. So, by banding her, we will be able to tell when she goes broody again, and set her in another place and let her hatch a clutch.
Too bad about those eggs. It just wasn't their time. I put mine in the incubator VERY early in the morning on the 25th. I was hoping that way they would all start to hatch around the time I woke up...and help keep me from staying up all night watching them. I am definately not getting more then 7 of the 10. After the hatch I will open the other 3 and see what stage they failed.
Well, seeing as I wasn't using the incubator, but letting a hen sit on them, I knew I was taking a chance. Our temps the last few days have been zero or lower at the coldest times. Although we have a heat lamp on in the henhouse, I was certain it was the wrong time for her to be setting. But, since she was so insistent on doing so, I thought, what the heck, let her. That's the reason I only let her have three eggs to set on. I figured if we lost those, no biggie. I am going to start about 42 in the incubator. (I have a hovabator with an auto turner) But it will be about mid March so if and when they hatch (hope...hope) it will be warm enough to put them in the garage pen like we did with the McMurray chicks last year.
It never hurts to take a chance with hopefully getting some
new chickies hatch. My, 0* is terribly cold for anyone,
s'pecially eggs. I really like the hovabator and turner. The
temps have been very consistant, and the turner is a really
nice helper. Blanca has hidden her nest again where I can't
find it. Bet it's under the tack room. Of course, totally out of
reach for me. I want some eggs- and not hatching ones.
It sounds like your granny had a lovely valentines day, Mel.
I wish my granny were closer. She is getting on up there,
and I can't get up to Ohio to see her.
Hopefully, your eggs will start to hatch early for you. I can't
wait for pictures.
may princess tammy have her granny close.
Today is Day 16 of incubation and the chick is now turning
it's beak toward the air cell. The interior of the egg is
mostly just chick and a little space,'The chorioallantoic cavity'.
I am now turning the hen eggs by hand, as leaving the turner
in place over the chicks could crush them. I am getting just
a 'little' anxious to see how many quail actually hatch.
I did contact the egg seller and let her know of the infertile
or failure of any development in 8 of the eggs, and she is
willing to send more for the next hatch. I thought this was very
nice of her.
may princess tammy have good business partners.
That is nice of her to send you replacement eggs. ANd sorry Blanca is hiding her nest again! My chickens would try that from time to time..but then I would train them again. I keep them penned up for the morning any day following a mislaid egg (if I happen to catch it.)
Gma did like going out. She was very happy, and she ate A LOT! I couldnt believe that woman's appetite!
I have been watching the eggs...but i am guessing they will be late. I candled last night and could still see space around several of them...which I thought was odd. They are all different sizes...but didnt think that would make too much difference. i guess only time will tell. No one has started yet though.
Mel, you know how kids are...they always do things when your back is turned. The eggs are no exception. They will hatch when you are not looking for them to. :o))
My DGD's will be here this weekend, and I'm hoping to
see at least one quail start it's hatch before they go home
Sunday evening. Then maybe GD will believe there actually
are chicks in the eggs. The oldest is 4.
I have the quail brooder cleaned and ready to go. DH will build
their light this evening. He makes a 2 plug box with a reostat.
I love the slide up/down feature, and I can put a thermometer
in to check the temp, then mark it on the box beside the sliding
button. It works great. Thank you hubby.
may princess tammy get lots of time with family.
This message was edited Feb 15, 2008 10:42 AM
So funny. She doesnt believe you? We told our neighbors 2 year old son that there were chickens in the eggs, and he wouldnt stop watching them. He just waited and waited for them to come out!
I've been checking the bator all morning for any signs of
quail. I got busy with other things, and one of my dogs said
he was concerned about something in the office where the
bator and brooders are set up. We went in to check- AND!
We have one BRAND NEW quail! It must have popped out
in a big way, as his shell is still mostly intact. Another is
rocking back and forth! Woo Hoo! I will update within 24 hrs.
There are 10 eggs in there and we're hopeful!
may princess tammy have cute babies!
and may truest's dog get a graet treat for being so attentive!
congrats!
tf
YEAH! I am so excited for you! I hope they all come out!
Thank you for the congrats! Can I have some more?LOL :-)
2 more quail hatched yesterday, within 2 hours of the first.
One seemed to have a problem stretching out or unfolding
his neck, and he was very distressed about this, rolling
around feverishly. I decided to help him a bit, and gently
unfolded his neck for him, and he settled down to dry right
away. Those 3 are in the brooder, doing well. 1 popped out
sometime while I slept, and somehow got under the screen
edge and unfortunately drowned. This really bummed me out,
as I knew there was a warp in the screen, but didn't think they
could get under it. Sigh. Another has hatched within the last
1/2 hour, and is drying and doing well. I had no idea they
would hatch over such a wide time frame, but Mel has
seen this, and I am hopeful for the other 5 eggs. Most
shipped egg clutches hope for a 30-50% hatch rate, and
at this time I am a bit better than 25%. Not too bad. I will
post pictures a little later today.
May princess tammy have a good monday.
Well, congratulations!!!! But, of course, sorry to hear about the little one drowning.
And, since I have never gotten hatching eggs thru the mail, it is nice to know about the hatching rate of them.
Thank you, Granny :-) I think for the quail the hatch rate is
lower than for chickens eggs. It is not such a bad deal when
you can get 24 quail eggs for $2. or less. Plus shipping, which
on each package it was $4.50, but they charged a'handling' fee
which made shipping $10. This is something Dave is working on
for our auctions here, not to charge so much more to ship items.
I think the way to go on these is get a lot on your first shipment,
then let them lay eggs for you rather than continue with shipping
them. I have 4 so far, and really hope I got both sexes in there! :-)
may princess tammy have really cute quail!
I agree with you about shipping and handling. Some people try to make up their cheap prices by doing that.
I also agree with you about doing your own and hope, as you do, that some of the quail are of each sex. In fact, that's the reason I decided to buy an incubator last year and try to hatch my own chicks for the freezer and also to replace the layers as they grow older and quit laying. Another reason to band them, too. (So you know which are which.)
Will you be able to tell the difference between the sexes when the chicks get larger? I wouldn't know where to begin with quail.
And, may your princess tammy be smarter than I am.
I look forward to growing more quail. Looks like the rest
of the eggs were 'green' inside, and one was dried, so
it had a crack I couldn't see. My 4 hatched are doing really well.
The only way to know with the coturnix quail is the males are
slightly larger-sometimes- and by their behaviour when they
mature. No crows or combs with these little guys. I can already
see with the cochins which will be for the freezer, at least as
an early assumption, is those with very little feathering on the
feet I don't want to keep as breeders. :-) They have such sweet
personalities, though.
may princess tammy be a sweet person (she is).
Here are the tiny darlings. The thermometer is about
2 1/2 x 3 1/2" for a size comparison. Let's hope that
Blanca's eggs due on Wednesday will all hatch! I want
very much to be able to tell better what breed(s) Davey
the roo is! He looks like a heinz 57. :-)
may princess tammy have as good a day as I.
Oh My Gosh Aunt Cookie is in heaven here!! What little sweethearts! Did your grandkids get to see any of them yesterday?
Do they peep like the little chicks?
I bet they feel like a hummingbird in your hand...so cute.
They are SOOOO cute! I just love all the color they have. You must be a very proud mommy.
Aren't they so precious. I lost one last night. I am bummed.
I have them in a see thru tupperware tub which has easy access
(for me) and easy to clean, but the see thru part- I think my
big kitty may have scared him to death, because he was the
biggest and very active. Next time I may set them up in my
bedroom, away from animals. For now, Hollow must spend
nights outside, just in case it was him.
Aunt Cookie, my 4 yr old did get to see them hatch- it was
very exciting for her. And, they squeek, kind of like a short
door hinge squeek. I am a proud mommy! :-)
may princess tammy's door never squeek.
Well, I have all the things needed for Blanca's eggs when they
hatch, hopefully on time tomorrow. This will be brooder #3 in
our office! I think if I started just one more setting of anything,
DH would wonder if we weren't going into the bird business.
Well, we did discuss it, and both agree that we could handle
selling a box of multi-colored chicken's eggs, and the occasional
clutch of quail. I found out that people allergic to chicken eggs
often aren't bothered by quail eggs. This is pretty cool. I
wonder if it would also work for vaccines people are allergic to. :o)
may princess tammy have an understanding hubby.
GOOD thinking! I have never heard of people allergic to eggs (other then me). I never used to be able to eat store bought eggs. I would get horrible sick, and have to spend at least one hour in the bathroom for each egg I ate. Since raising our own chickens...I can eat 3 eggs a day with no problems! I am not sure what the difference is other then antibiotics and happier chickens...but I wont complain. I am reminded of how bad things used to be when I forget and someone else cooks me something consisting of mostly store eggs.
I am so glad I'm not allergic to eggs. I love to bake and DH
just loves breakfast! I bet it has something to do with the
unsanitary conditions all those egg producers have to endure.
Your body knows what's good for it, eh? What made you
decide to risk the egg allergy, and try your own farm fresh? That
took courage! :o)
I am anxious for Blanca's eggs to hatch. They went in in the
afternoon, so I may have to wait til late tomorrow! fingers
tapping...open..open..open
may princess tammy have more patience than I.
Oh My Gosh!!!! One of Blanca's eggs has a hole
pecked it it!!!!! woo hoo! I finally get to see what kinds of
chicks we're going to have! :o)
may princess tammy's wishes be granted.
YEAH! I am so excited for you! A little early, but I bet it takes a while longer to get out. I would be surprised if your chicken eggs hatch as fast as those quail.
I wanted chickens wether or not I could eat the eggs. I tried the first eggs laid just because I was excited. that was when I found out that they did not bother my system at all. I ONLY use our fresh eggs for cooking, baking and eating! Hahah...
It may take a while. the hole is the same size almost an hour
later, but I can see him moving in there. One of the other eggs
rocked a bit, and I heard a chirp- but not sure from which one.
Thanks, Mel, for giving me the impetus to try this, it has filled
my days with excitement and my little grnaddaughter with wonder.
:o)
may princess tammy be filled with wonder.
WooHoo...I'm an Auntie AGAIN!! Woohoo!!
Yeppers, Auntie Cookie! We'll repopulate the whole earth
with the offspring from our family!LOL :o)
may princess tammy have an Aunt Cookie as nice as my
chickies have!
Awwww....
That is fabulous! I am glad I could give some motivation. Despite this last hatch I am still glad i started this challenge. I just loved learning about this process, and watching chicks hatch. Next spring I plan to try for one large hatch instead of trying for different hatches (plus next year I may have some different breeds). Keep your camera ready for when she comes out!
yippee! congrats truest! keep us posted [i knoiw you will]
Congratulations, Truest! I tried to get my DH interested in quail after seeing yours--but he is a little unnerved by the brooder going up in the bedroom again. I am assuring him that the success rate for hatching eggs is very low (40%, did you say?), so we won't be over-run if I try hatching a couple dozen this spring. Can't wait for Blanca's babies' pictures......Keep everyone informed.