I am excited to say that once I fixed my incubator issues (I decided to go with a Genesis 1588 foregoing the autoturner), that we are back in the hatching business. 2009 was a dismal year for hatching chicks for me. No matter what I did, I could not get a good hatch rate. With incubator issues, I managed to hatch call ducks but not many poultry chicks. Something about the environment and the incubators I was using just didn't jive.
So it's July 12, 2010, half way through the year. I have a good assortment of Light, Buff and Dark Brahma chicks, one Rosecomb (so far), several Malaysian Seramas (many from Ransom, a couple from Hero, and all look to be of excellent quality), and a whole bunch of Araucana chicks (I have the prettiest double tufted, rumpless silver based chick growing out). I've culled early on due to my upcoming move, only keeping back select individuals that I will be using for specific breeding programs when I get to Minnesota. While I have gotten a late start this year in hatching, we are doing good to make up for it. It's thrown off our cockerel and pullet show prospects, but I can live with that.
The only down fall this year has seen is my issue with my Calls. I have not successfully managed to hatch and keep going a single call duck this year. This year appears to be a total loss in the call duck department. Only my Blue Fawns are still laying, everyone else is in molt. So very, very disappointing. If only I could hatch and grow out one little call duck... is that too much to ask?
I won't be keeping all the youngsters I've hatched, so please check back this fall if you are looking for some good quality started stock from proven show birds.
I still have an incubator full of eggs, and this morning it looks like popcorn went off in the bator with the chicks that have hatched. Chocolate/Pumpkin Seramas, Blue Moderns, Araucanas, and Dark, Light and Buff Brahmas, with more to come in the next couple of weeks! Woo hoo!