I have 3 incubators full of eggs. Most of the eggs are from the peafowl. I'm using automatic turners in two of the incubators, and they're so big I can only fit one in every other space.
Since my hen population is getting a little elderly, I decided I'd put a few chicken eggs in-between some of the peafowl eggs. I started back on May 16th. This past Wednesday, just 19 days later, the first chick hatched.
Yesterday another one hatched, and sometime during the night yet another.
Later this afternoon I looked in one incubator and there were TWO more new ones. They both look like Buff Orpingtons, so the count is 4 yellow and 1 party-colored.
I wish the peafowl eggs would hatch so easily. I haven't had any luck the last two years, and haven't heard a peep out of any eggs this year either.
I'm hoping a whole lot more peeping goes on before we're done!
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Great idea! I have a lonely poult in the incubator after snatching him in his hatching egg from the ducks this morning. I'll find a stuffed animal for him to put in the 'bator with him. A friend of Taylor's showed up with a duckling earlier today. I'll pass the stuffed animal suggestion on to him too.
Hi Rural writer. I just jumped over from Critter Farm and after snooping around I found you have Guineas!! I have 15 keets coming in about 2 weeks and I'm already worried about them! I'm reading "Gardening with Gunieas". Do you still have yours?? I see you had forty at one time…and then I read the post about someone losing theirs one at a time!!! Now I'm even more nervous!
I love your videos of them running around. I'm getting them for tick control mostly…but I'm already falling in love with them just from the reading. Can I ask you advice from time to time??
Great place to visit!!!!
I've used the stuffed animal with little chicks lots of times and they really seem to like it. These chicks hide under the bear like it was a mother hen. Farmer says all it needs is a heartbeat and they'd be all set!
& yes Eve, I still have LOTS of guineas. We bought them originally for the same reason – tick control. It works! Ask away anytime you have a question. Can't promise I'll always know the answer though!
Wonderful! Congratulations on all your new babies. Isn't it fun?
Wonderful! Congratulations on all your new babies. Isn’t it fun?
Thanks Amy, and yes, it's fun. Little critters are sooooooo cute!
Thanks RW!! I will be sure to let you know how things go. You have a beautiful farm and I love your stories! Especially the one about the redneck chef!!!
I think those pics deserve a great big "Aaawwwwww!" Fluffy yellow chick and bright pink bear—the colors couldn't have been more perfect if you'd planned it. Just don't show it to folks that think getting one chick for their kids for Easter is a good idea.
No, people getting little Easter chicks usually don't have a clue what they're getting into. Babies don't stay babies forever, and that super cute phase doesn't last long. But it's fun while it lasts!
Thanks for the kind comments on the pictures.