Embarking On The Adventure

Ok, who was I kidding? The incubator is ready to go, and there are now six frizzle pekin eggs winging there way to my door. Hopefully, they will arrive tomorrow morning. I am currently awaiting a phone call from my vet, and hopefully he will agree to cull any resulting males if I can't find them homes. Obviously, I hope that I will be able to, but I feel it's best to have a back up plan in place. Gulp.

The ever tolerant husband is ignoring the whole process, which is probably best. The children are excited, but cautious as I have been careful to point out all that could go wrong. Any resulting hatchlings will be brooded in the garage, the plan being that no small people will therefore get attached before we know which (if any) we can keep. I fully expect to get attached, and weep bitter tears if any rehoming/culling has to occur.

The plan is to document each stage of the incubation and hatching, so tomorrow I'll post pics of my ridiculously basic incubator (think fish bowl with a light bulb in the middle). Hopefully, I'll also be able to include pics of the eggs. All I need now is a large dose of courage.

The chooks are not enjoying the unseasonable heat wave. Much bad natured chuntering has occured, along with the odd vicious peck. When allowed to free range, they stick to the shady borders. The coop gets very warm during the afternoon, and a couple of enterprising ladies have started laying in the dust bath. I've thoroughly investigated the housing, and there is no sign of redmite or any other pest. I think they just prefer the cool sand on their bums.

Treats have mainly consisted of frozen peas and tomatoes from the fridge. These chicken ice pops are recieved gratefully and with gusto. The pellets remain largely untouched, and egg production is down. However, Celia has joined the laying ranks and the scatty silkie sisters have decided that being broody is a bit pointless.

Theoretically, I should be buried in eggs any day now.

An Accidental Purchase

I have had an accident. A terrible, ebay related accident. I was perusing chickenny stuff (as you do) when I saw a second hand manual incubator. Just a little, hobbyist one. I watched in horror as my fingers danced across the keyboard, and made a bid. I then watched in even more horror as the end of the auction dawned, and my bid won. Oops.

The ever tolerant husband has so far said nothing. I suspect he is biding his time. At some point, he will no doubt raise this accidental aquisition, and inquire as to my intentions. I have no idea what I will tell him.

Yes, in an ideal world, I would love to hatch some frizzle pekins. On first glance, it all seems like a Very Good Idea. However, I'm not completely clueless. Hatching chicks comes with responsibilities. The greatest of these responsibilities as far as I'm concerned is dealing with the resultant boys. I would love to keep a cockerel, but it is just not going to happen. So then you have a problem. There are many more cockerels hatched every year than will ever be needed. Indeed, it can be hard to even give them away. Responsible breeders often choose to cull any male chicks as soon as they're identifiable. I want to be responsible, and that is what is giving me pause for thought.

If I do hatch, I will only be popping three or four eggs in to the incubator. Out of those eggs, it's concievable that two could hatch boys. It is possible to rehome such a small number, perhaps, but it is in no way guaranteed.

More thought required.