Flock Update- 9 down, 2 up plus a few eggs on the go

Friday and Saturday was successful in ‘downsizing’ of the flock. We sold six Muscovy hens to a lady who had travelled over 120km (approx 75 miles) for them- this included 3 of our original girls and 3 youngsters. I was very apprehensive about letting our proven Mums go, particularly the coloured ones. Though we kept our Merle girl and a white hen, I just have to be happy in the knowledge the other 3 girls were going to a great home, with acres to roam and graze and their own dam!

They must be happy there,as the lady sent me a photo of them swimming in a paddling pool in the “quarantine pen” (always a good idea, though am sure not necessary with our girls- but I do the same, you can never be too careful)and another of an egg. We had been getting an egg a day, and duck will not lay, if they do not feel safe and happy.

Mammoth Muscovy approx 2months old

Friday evening we did take a backwards step in our ‘downsizing’, though really I didn’t mind. As we bought 2 Mammoth Muscovy hens. Matt has had his eye on these giant versions of the breed since we saw a Mammoth drake at the local show last year. But I guess we sold more girls than intended, so a new bloodline was a welcome and we could afford to home a few more. These girls are younger than our own, though they were almost or as large already. So I guess we will keep you updated on the differences.

Mammoth Muscovy approx 3months old

Saturday another 3 made their way to a new home. This one wasn’t so far, but 2 girls and a drake were on their way to their new family; leaving us with just one boy to go.

We also added a few more Indian Game eggs and some Indian Game crossed Old English game (cross) to the incubator. It has already been running for a week and a half; these we candled at the weekend and only a few were inactive or appeared to have not developed any further; So fingers crossed for future Indian Game and meat bird flock. As, as my Bamp (grandfather) used to say ‘don’t count your chickens, before they hatched’.

Adding to the incubator at the moment is probably a little presumptuous of us. As we are going to have to rely on our house sitter to continue to turn the eggs and monitor the water levels in our absence. However you have to take advantage of Indian Game’s laying, as they are not very productive birds, and tend to go through laying frenzies and then months of nothing.



For not so attractive birds, they lay very pretty eggs



In Turkey news, we had another 2 eggs from our new arrivals this week; though they are yet to nest in a suitable location. This week’s first, as with last week’s, was laid in the open run. The second in the hens nesting box! Had they laid in the nesting boxes in the large silver poultry shed I’d have left them there. But I still cannot quite understand how the turkey even made into the small hen hutch, let alone laid an egg in the nesting box at the back! Leaving her nest there would stress and inconvenience the chickens too much.  So I have taken the eggs and placed them in the incubator with the other eggs... so fingers crossed.

Speaking of new arrivals, I also wanted to take this opportunity to introduce our very friendly and photogenic roo; who is yet t be named.

He is still pretty young, however he is very inquisitive. And I think as he was raised by a family with very ‘hands on’ children, he is very used to being handled; something I have been going out of my way to encourage and reward. He was been very responsive to bribery in the form of chicken pellets, though he has not had any trouble claiming his share in the pen.

Sunday has been a poultry day all round.

First thing we culled and skinned the last of our “Meatbirds”. These were a replacement batch from the hatchery of specifically developed “Ross cobs” (originally a Scottish breed- though these were a New Zealand version). These birds are commercially used for “meat birds”. And whilst they fulfil their purpose (and currently stock our freezer, along with the one roasting in the oven). I have some issue with their lack of chook instincts. At 12 weeks of age these birds were probably older than any we have raised (of this breed) for the table in the past. Mostly as this time around we regularly removed the food and tried to encourage them to scratch and graze- normal chook behaviours.
As commercial poultry these birds would have access to food day and night and be kept in a lit shed, meaning they wopould quite contently sit and feed constantly. Ans as a result are ready for the supermarket shelves in 40 days- ½ the time of ours.
Although I have to be honest, whilst I am always sad to see an animal go. And I know that is what they were bred and raised for- something I reconsile myself with as I know that their life (however short) was probably better for being here. If we had of kept these monsters they would not have been long for this world and it would have been cruel- as their quality of life was dwindling and would probably have died due to the stress on their bodies from their size alone.

But these final birds does mark the beginning of our own “meat birds” (think I prefer the term “table birds”)- A cross between game and dual purpose layers. Hopefully these will be able to free range happily and hopefully be more chook-like.

Today also saw the arrival, and passing of some ducklings. The ill fated batch from the borrowed incubator. As a result this will be returning to its owners by the end of the week.
At present we have one running around contently in the brooder box with the Rhodie red crosses and the 2 w/o duckling with the bad leg. We are waiting on 3, that have pipped and unfortunately the first to pip, struggled to break free. And even with assistance it had begun to dry out, inside the egg and much of it was stuck to the egg or itself. It just didn’t have to strength to survive. So from 20, so far only 5 have had any signs of life. Maybe the settings of the incubator in those early stages were just too high and had already done the damage.

And then this weekend was the annual Sarina Show, so having dropped Rockie and Ronnie off for their Show debuts bright and early yesterday morning.

Rockie- Light Sussex

Ronnie- Indian Game

We collected them lunch time today. Both had placed (3^rd & 2^nd) in their respective classes. Even if I did (unintentionally) enter them both as “cocks”- so they were competing against fully fledged roosters (nothing else). As opposed to the “cockerels” that they should have been, which are birds under 12 months. The confusion lay as I understood cockerels to be a young male, as “pullets” are young females. Only once a female is laying (usually 18-22 weeks), I thought they were then “layers“ or “hens“. And by association young males become “cocks” or roosters once they are crowing and working.

But apparently not, guess as the saying goes "you learn something new everyday". So considering they were being compared to fully grown birds, they did very well. But I have to admit this is an experience neither of us are too keen to repeat. Whilst I entered them as a bit of fun, fun was the last thing it seemed for our birds. It was stressful, and clearly something they were neither used to, or comfortable with- confinement. That is without the stress caused by catching them (and to me and the scratches I sustained as a result), as well as transporting them there and back. Whilst this seems a regular thing for many of those locally who keep birds (as well as all around Oz and at home). I guess it just wasn’t for us, I’m happier watching our birds roam, and being birds.

Duckling update- we have an injury

The ducklings are around 2 weeks old (some hatched a few days before other- and you can’t tell which is which- so about 2 weeks). But when feeding and changing their water yesterday I noticed one shuffling a little awkwardly and then being trampled in the stampede that occurs when my hand invades their safe little box.

So further inspection, it doesn’t appear to be using the leg at all, sort of springing around on one side. But when I’ve picked it up it has some movement and grip in the foot. And moving the leg didn’t seem to bother it.
So it is currently being isolated from the potential stampedes and is imposing on the younger 4 rhodie- red x’s. Who were very tentative of their guest. Initially avoiding the duckling and huddled in a corner (away from the light), as he happily ate thier food and drunk their water. Only it then proceeded to call through the petition to the others and become quite stressed. Eventually deciding to try his luck with it’s new hosts; continually following them around the brooder box, calling, to little or no response.

So when closing up the shed last night (I took one final look) and moved the two chicks from the shadowed (and cooler) side of the box back to the warmth of the light.  This morning all 5 remained in the warmth.

So guess we’ll be keeping an eye on our injured little duckling. It appears determined and is coping (so far). I just wish I knew what it had done and how, suppose it’s just one of those things.

In other duck progress 2 of our females are attentively sat on little nests. Chirping and even nipping if we get too close, unless you are offering them grain. One is inside the hen house (under the nesting boxes) and becomes quite stressed when we try and collect the chicken eggs. Particularly as they appear to lay in her nest!

The other incubated eggs (in the friend’s borrowed incubator) are due this weekend (guess this really will be the final test). As Matt remains sceptical as to whether we will see any hatchlings, since the incubators many variants may have compromised them, and as the settings were too high it may have cooked the eggs in the early stages- so still a case of wait and see. We noticed the problem when we placed our digital thermometer on the egg trays (their raised in the box) and it read 39 degrees (point something), where the incubators own thermometer (at the base of the incubator) still only read 36. We have no idea what problems this may cause, since eggs are not supposed to be in an environment over 38.
Also in my assessment of the incubator I felt there was little head room for chicks in the hatching tray. We temporarily put the Rhode Island x chicks in there to clean out ours, and ducklings are bigger. 

Henny-penny's egg is 1st to hatch

<p>We've been incubating Rhode island red x's for friends and to make up and even 2dozen they threw in an egg from their resident house chook miss jenny penny a cheeky and bossy leghorn bantam. She rules the roost and even sits at the table in their sun room... so guess who's egg hatched 1st! And just a demanding as her man she's been chirping ever since. Let's hope the rest hatch out as healthy.

Last little ducklings struggle

I made it home from work and tentatively lifted the lid of the incubator… hoping to see movement. But there had been no progress with the remaining egg. So deflated I examined the 2 that had pipped (we had held little hope for the other 4). I could just see what was a bird, but nothing. Then I picked up on the other to hear the faintest chirp and slightest movement. I know everything I have read had said not to interfere, but I had to give it a fighting chance.
So very carefully peeling small sections of shell away from the existing whole, trying to stay around the end that it should have pushed off.
There are a number of reasons for not interfering with ducklings (more so than chicks), other than the argument that if it wasn’t strong enough to make it, then its nature’s selection- survival of the fittest. As ducks remain attached to the umbilical cord for some time after breaking out. Usually staying within the shell for a few hours, which (unlike a chick) largely remains intact. Allowing for them to absorb the last of the nutrients and make their big entrance when their ready and able to free themselves from the dried cord. If you break that membrane or connection, then the bird could bleed out anyway, so you’re interference could do more harm than good. So in many respects you’re damned if you do or damned if you don’t.
But I had made my decision, probably influenced by the events of the morning. But I was giving this little one every chance. It had done the hard work, it was just weak. So after a few hours, and a little more assistance to release its leg, late last night it made its big entrance to the world.

Still weak this morning, not properly dry (probably saturated with yolk from being in the egg too long) and still attached to its egg, it remains in the incubator. I did gave it some water (using a medicine dosing syringe) and carefully located the dead tissue along the umbilical cord; this had now dried out and was no longer supplying the bird. So with precision, surgically removed it; allowing it to move more freely and hopefully gain a little strength (not dragging around the extra weight). Am hoping it will be strong enough to move into the brooder box this afternoon. I did leave it a small dish (well tuppaware lid) of water, and it was drinking and moving around.

You may notice from this picture that the duck is in the “hatching tray”

 of the borrowed incubator. I will admit having a separate area for hatching, or as we’ve used it over the last few days for hatchlings has been great. As in our incubator they climb all over the remaining eggs and move them around. But in saying that, I think it’s been handy having the second area. When it comes to those eggs suspended in the trays hatching, we have to move them down to the hatching tray- so will still have the same problem. Maybe we can set ours up as a secondary drying area…  

Well I’ll keep you posted on the last ones progress (fingers crossed). But the others are doing well. They’ve settled in with the chicks really well. I wish I had, had my phone on me when I checked on them yesterday afternoon as they were all curled up together sleeping… very cute!

We were amazed to notice that some of the chicks (now 4-5 days old) have started to develop their feathers! I’m planning on documenting their development (especially over the first few weeks), as well as the duckling- for the future reference. Though with the chicks we no longer have their Old English Game dad, so their development may vary to future flocks, but still curious to see how they turn out. The 2 blue chick are a lovely colour, as are the lighter “stripies” with the lines at the eyes… no doubt they’ll be boys, with birds the pretty ones generally are!     

On another subject the first of our trees (well thier bigger than seedlings, but I wouldn't want you to think they were fully fledges trees either) arrived yesterday! And not the order I had anticipated arriving first- this was from Forvever Seeds (Ebay store). An australian supplier specialising in rare and edible seeds and plants... So am very excited and am hoping pot them tomorrow (at least until thier more established, since these are going in the house garden and maybe subject to dog interference). So we now have Ginger (well its a plant really not a tree), Cardamom, Macadamia & Pomegranate.  

Highs and lows of smallholding

By the time I returned home from work last night 4 healthy ducklings had arrived, to  our excitement.

I excitedly attempted to blig this pic from mobile
last night, but without success

These were moved from the incubator to the brooder box this morning with the nine 3 day old chicks- with a mixed reception.

The first duckling was amusing- I dipped its beak in the water, placed it down. The chicks were making a noise and scuttling around, due to my appearance. The duckling responded to the chirping and waddled up to them... all of which gathered in the furthest corner. Each other duckling then in turn, waddled up to its sibling and chirped, and then again to the cowering group.

I must admit, I had, had reservations about introducing the day old ducklings to the slightly older chicks, as although we have them cohabiting as adults. They would (temporarily) outnumbered and birds can be pretty brutal!

But their confidence put me at ease (though I did check on them quite a few times, before making my way to work this morning). In fairness as long as they have sufficient food and room they should be fine. Our adults cohabit quite contently, most of the time the ducks seem quite oblivious to the chickens. And the babies, although initially more curious, did not appear bothered by the lack of response and continued to waddle about and explore their new environment.  Hopefully we get to boost their numbering this evening and/or tomorrow, making the odds a little more even.

As for the remaining hatchlings we have 3 drying off in the incubator, two on the way and one no longer with us. So to date we have 7 from the initial 20 eggs, although only 14 were fertile when we candled them. We do have 2 of the remaining eggs that have “pipped” and I am hopeful they will successfully hatch.

“Pipping” is the term for the bird breaking into the air sac for the “internal pip”- at this stage you may see the egg move slightly, hear chirps or a tapping on the shell. Then the bird will break an area of the shell with its beak for the “external pip”, before they eventually pop an end off the egg to make their big entrance.

Unfortunately there are 4 eggs that we hold no hope for. One had “internally pipped” but that was Sunday… and it’s stopped moving too. The others we’ve not seen any movement or heard any sound from.  Which is sad as they were fertile and developing when we had candled them.
What was more upsetting, especially for me this morning- was we had one little one hatched but wasn’t so healthy and as a result (by my hand) is no longer with us.
This I will explain if you chose to read on. As I guess this is the reality of this “farming” or “smallholding” life, but is not something I did lightly and may not be for the sensitive.

This little duckling had hatched but had its stomach (intestines etc) on the wrong side of its belly button. Yes birds have belly buttons; they have an umbilical sac that is sometimes attached when hatching, that they absorb. This is the last of the nutrients from the egg. It’s quite amazing, really. However the sac is a yellowy- brown colour and quite gooey, which will eventually dry up and drop off. This was not.

It was clearly not right, and what most alarming was the little one was losing blood from it and was unable to coordinate itself and was very weak. And yes their all initially weak on hatching, it’s a big process- but this was different. So, as upsetting as it was I could not leave it all day, to suffer and die a slowly, just because I didn’t want to have to do it. Now I’ve never actually done this part myself, so it was not an easy decision. And not one I took lightly, but as I said I guess it is a reality that we face. And a decision I did not want to, but had to make. Now some may read this and think get over it, others maybe horrified, but I guess the major thing I struggled with, was although we rear animals for the plate. I reconcile it with the knowledge they had a good life, for which we are responsible. This little one didn’t even get that.   

Now not to be all doom and gloom I guess what I need to focus on is that we have 7 healthy ducklings and the hope and excitement the possible arrival of a few more… so fingers crossed.

Incubator update- mixed feelings

As I said so far this 'fan-dangled' incubator is giving us mixed feelings. Whilst we are grateful for the chance to hatch an extra batch of eggs. I have to be fair it is very fiddley and tempromental. So far I am preferring the quiet adn simplisty of our incubator. I don't think I'll be running this one again.

Excitingly we had our 1st Indian Game/ Dark Corknish egg yesterday! So we (hopefully)placed it in the incubator with 2 dozen eggs from a friend (breeding Rhode Island Red's). As they usually use the borrowed incubator we are currently running; with mixed results.

As we had candled the eggs in ours, there was fortunatley more room in ours, as we have been having a few issues with the borrowed incubator. Whilst the temperature on the front is in celsius and only goes up to 99.5... so we had been using the digital themometer we use for ours. However it has been placed on the base of the incubator and not hte shelves. When we measured the temperature at the shelves yesterday it was over 40! Anything over 39degrees will kill any incubation process... so 18 of or frinds eggs went in ours. The rest and our set of ducks eggs remains to be seen.

We were very disappointed, as there does appear to have been some development (when we had candled them). Though now we're going to wait a few days and see whether there has been any further development. As if it was too high, it had been all along.

So guess for now we just wait and hope.

As for the original eggs we placed in our incubator, we are hoping for chicks by Saturday and ducklings by next Thursday... so we're on count down now. Will have to move the other birds out of the brooder box soon!

First hatchlings at Maes-y-Delyn

Easter Monday was very exciting for us at Maes-y-Delyn... as we awoke to the tiny chip of feathery feet! As we recently purchased an incubator and had inherted a working rooster we attempted the process of rearing chickens of our own.
We had hopefully placed 30 eggs (having been told 1:5 were good odds). To our surprise 17 successfully hatched (from 20 fertilised eggs)! Unfortunately 3 didn't make it out, but we had 11 yellow and 6 black babies!
WE have kept one of each (yellow and black). We hatched a further 4 (that our Sussex was detern=mined to sit on) and sold the remaining 19. 6 going to a local home. 4 to the family we bought our pup from adn the remainder to a local produce store.


So now we have cleaned and reloaded the incubator with 40 more... guess we'll wait and see.