Chicken Keeping Secrets

This week we’ll prepare for your chicks to hatch.

If you have more than one setting in the incubator, meaning more than one batch of eggs at different stages in the incubation process, you’ll need to move the eggs on day 17 to another incubator to prepare for them to hatch.

If all your eggs have been incubated for the same amount of time, day 17 is the time to make a few changes.

You will need to carefully place crinoline or cheese cloth under the eggs. Most incubators are equipped with a wire grate, place the crinoline right on top of that or follow any instructions included with your incubator. (more…)

“I have young pullets starting to lay, but they have discovered that they can eat the eggs. Is there a way to retrain them?” ~ Barbara Jagoe

Hi Barbara thanks for the question.

The short answer to your question is “Maybe”. You can try to retrain them but some chickens are more difficult to retrain than others.

Most of the time, chickens will eat an egg for the first time because it was dropped, stepped upon and broken, or some other accident. Being the curious foragers that they are, they can’t resist this new squishy treat. Sometimes they’ll eat the shell, other times they’ll leave it. But once they’ve tasted an egg, it can be hard, maybe impossible habit to break. (more…)

I’m excited; it’s time to set your eggs! In 21 days or so, you’ll have chicks!

Prepare your incubator by heating it to the manufacturer’s recommended temperature and a relative humidity of 58 to 60%. Adjust the vents if necessary.

You’ve been storing eggs selected for this purpose. It’s time to select the freshest, best eggs to set. Because you’ve been marking the date you collected the eggs with pencil, selecting the freshest eggs is obvious. Remember to select medium sized eggs, with no cracks, that are uniform in shape. (more…)