We had one little late hatch the day after all of the others. Now known as 'Tiny Chick' because he lookes suprisingly small when he was next to all the others! So 12 live chicks in total. We broke the remaining eggs before we discarded them and only 2 contained fully developed chicks that had died before hatching. The next batch will be going in in a couple of weeks hopefully.
It's certainly fascinating to watch them grown and learn and behave like proper chickens at such a tiny age. We are all really enjoying it and learning lots as we go along to put into practice next time.
We are enjoying a breezy Bank Holiday weekend preparing for the birthday barbeque next weekend!
Sunday 29 May 2011
Thursday 26 May 2011
Well that was a little more stressful than i had anticipated. Watching the tiny little chicks fighting to escape from their shells, willing them out. Then when they finally emerge seeing them collapse draped over the next egg, exausted and checking to make sure they are still breathing! 12 of the 24 hatched in the end. The others are still in the incubator in case there are any late hatchers but there are no signs of life. One of the 12 died shortly after hatching. We knew something was wrong immediately. It looked as though some of its internal organs were external. I know it's probably terrible to say but i did feel quite relieved that it died on its own. I know i will have to do it some time but having to cull a tiny new born chick on my first ever hatch filled me with dread.
The 11 remaining are very lively little characters, quite happy to hop on your hand and peck your fingers if you put them in the brooder. They are all huddled together sleeping under the heat as i type. Here are a few pictures of the fluff balls! I really need to practice photographing moving things!
The first one pipping.
Chicken in a basket!
For the record i had 24 eggs in a R-Com Suro incubator; 12 Maran and 12 Maran x Legbar. 12 hatched; 7 Maran and 5 Maran x Legbar. 1 Maran x Legbar died. The incubator was run 'dry' for the first 18 days but the humidity settled at around 43 and was upped to 60 on day 19. Will have a think about what to tweak for next time.
On a different note there has been some much needed rain today which has been refreshing for plants and people alike! Grace enjoyed splashing in puddles in her Peppa Pig wellies this afternoon.
The 11 remaining are very lively little characters, quite happy to hop on your hand and peck your fingers if you put them in the brooder. They are all huddled together sleeping under the heat as i type. Here are a few pictures of the fluff balls! I really need to practice photographing moving things!
The first one pipping.
First one out.
All fluffed up!
For the record i had 24 eggs in a R-Com Suro incubator; 12 Maran and 12 Maran x Legbar. 12 hatched; 7 Maran and 5 Maran x Legbar. 1 Maran x Legbar died. The incubator was run 'dry' for the first 18 days but the humidity settled at around 43 and was upped to 60 on day 19. Will have a think about what to tweak for next time.
On a different note there has been some much needed rain today which has been refreshing for plants and people alike! Grace enjoyed splashing in puddles in her Peppa Pig wellies this afternoon.
Wednesday 25 May 2011
Fizz, fuzz and feathers
Well as i sit and type i can hear the newly hatched chicks cheeping in the incubator. Six out so far and several others pipping so hopefully by morning there will be lots more. Its already a jumble of eggshell, oversized feet and fuzz in there. Hardly looks room for any more to emerge! One of the six is already in the brooder. It hatched over 12 hours before the others and only one other was piping at that point so we decided to take it out. In hindsite it might have been better to leave it in there. Another lesson learnt for next time. It seems happy enough huddled under the heat for now and will be joined by the others some time tomorrow hopefully.
It's quite humbling to watch the little lives emerge into the world for the first time and amazing to think i was all made possible by that little box!
The elderflower champagne seems to have been a greater success than we had thought, its definitely fizzy! So we'll see what it tastes like in a couple of weeks time.
It's quite humbling to watch the little lives emerge into the world for the first time and amazing to think i was all made possible by that little box!
The elderflower champagne seems to have been a greater success than we had thought, its definitely fizzy! So we'll see what it tastes like in a couple of weeks time.
Tuesday 24 May 2011
It's been a couple of days of feeling like the world is against me!!
Elderflower champagne doesn't seem to be the greatest success. It didn't go foamy in the bucket as the recipe said it would so we added a little yeast which seems to have done the trick but it tastes very sweet at the moment. I wonder if that will change as it ferments?? It's all bottled now so time will tell i guess.
Sadly this morning our broody hen who was sat on 6 eggs died. It was as a result of my naivety. She had looked a little pale for a couple of days but i simply put it down to her sitting on the eggs all day every day and presumably not getting the same nutrients she would usually be getting. I haven't been disturbing her as i thought that was the best thing to do. However, when i found her this morning i discovered the spider mites had got to her. Very sad and frustrating that i could have done something about it if i had realised. The eggs are now in the house under the heat in the vague hope that something may hatch but i'm not holding my breath. They've had a traumatic day. A hard lesson has definitely been learnt through this today and i won't be making the same mistakes again.
On a happier note we can hear tapping inside the incubator and one of the maran eggs has the tiniest hole poked in it so it should be getting exciting in there very soon. Of course it's bound to all happen at night so we miss it all!!!
Elderflower champagne doesn't seem to be the greatest success. It didn't go foamy in the bucket as the recipe said it would so we added a little yeast which seems to have done the trick but it tastes very sweet at the moment. I wonder if that will change as it ferments?? It's all bottled now so time will tell i guess.
Sadly this morning our broody hen who was sat on 6 eggs died. It was as a result of my naivety. She had looked a little pale for a couple of days but i simply put it down to her sitting on the eggs all day every day and presumably not getting the same nutrients she would usually be getting. I haven't been disturbing her as i thought that was the best thing to do. However, when i found her this morning i discovered the spider mites had got to her. Very sad and frustrating that i could have done something about it if i had realised. The eggs are now in the house under the heat in the vague hope that something may hatch but i'm not holding my breath. They've had a traumatic day. A hard lesson has definitely been learnt through this today and i won't be making the same mistakes again.
On a happier note we can hear tapping inside the incubator and one of the maran eggs has the tiniest hole poked in it so it should be getting exciting in there very soon. Of course it's bound to all happen at night so we miss it all!!!
Saturday 21 May 2011
Just made 5 gallons of Elderflower champagne for a bbq we're having for Nicks 30th birthday in 2 weeks. Hope it will turn out ok, i've never made it before. Drove all the way to Ikea at Nottingham to get some bottles for it this evening only to find they no longer stock them. The only other place i know of is Lakeland but apparently they are far more expensive and not as good so will trawl the net for alternatives.
I also ordered the brooder for out first batch of chicks due middle to end of this week. Very excited now!!
I also ordered the brooder for out first batch of chicks due middle to end of this week. Very excited now!!
Thursday 19 May 2011
Climb every climbing frame
Played at the park this morning with Grace and her friends. It was lovely being outside in the sunshine. Grace and i go to a local PEEP group every Thursday morning. It's a lovely group. Grace gets to learn and explore new things, i get inspiration for new things to do at home with her and there is the added bonus of a lovely supportive group of parents there. We look forward to it every week.
At the moment Grace seems to be testing her climbing abilities. I like to let her learn for herself, within reason, where her limits are so i try not to prevent her from climbing. It is exhausting running round after her though to supervise her expeditions!
Turned out to be a lovely evening so took the old girl out for a short ride. The extra work seems to be making her a bit stiffer at the moment but a lovely long loose canter seemed to really help so i think we can work through it. After all when i work muscles i haven't used for a while i am a bit achey and stiff afterwards so why shouldn't she be. She certainly looks in better condition than she did a month ago so we are definitely moving in the right direction with her.
At the moment Grace seems to be testing her climbing abilities. I like to let her learn for herself, within reason, where her limits are so i try not to prevent her from climbing. It is exhausting running round after her though to supervise her expeditions!
Turned out to be a lovely evening so took the old girl out for a short ride. The extra work seems to be making her a bit stiffer at the moment but a lovely long loose canter seemed to really help so i think we can work through it. After all when i work muscles i haven't used for a while i am a bit achey and stiff afterwards so why shouldn't she be. She certainly looks in better condition than she did a month ago so we are definitely moving in the right direction with her.
Wednesday 18 May 2011
Picnic fun
A lovely day today! Spent the morning and lunch time with a good friend and her baby daughter at Whisby exploring the play equipment and enjoying a lovely picnic which the rain held off just long enough for. Unfortunately i forgot my camera and so missed some lovely photo opportunities of Grace exploring and making friends with the animal sculptures. A good excuse to go back soon to get those pictures!
We re candled the eggs this evening having done a little more reading and it seems we may have been a little hasty yesterday. Lucky we didn't discard those eggs! However, we have removed 2 of the eggs and having broken them to check we were relieved to find that we were correct to do so. I suspect 2 more may be clear but having very dark shell it's hard to be sure so we are leaving them in there to see what happens.
We re candled the eggs this evening having done a little more reading and it seems we may have been a little hasty yesterday. Lucky we didn't discard those eggs! However, we have removed 2 of the eggs and having broken them to check we were relieved to find that we were correct to do so. I suspect 2 more may be clear but having very dark shell it's hard to be sure so we are leaving them in there to see what happens.
Tuesday 17 May 2011
First diary entry!
Second post of the day but the first 'diary' entry. Its been a fairly quiet day at the Old Barn today. Catching up with some much overdue housework was the plan for the day which i was semi successful with. With Grace around there's always an easy distraction to drag me away from the boring chores! Spent some time this afternoon playing in the field in what little sunshine we saw today. Grooming the ponies and Grace chasing the chickens. Then it was a little messy baking session to make pastry for our quiche for dinner.....which i burnt!
Graces nap time was spent searching for a pattern for a dress i'd like to make. I think i;ve settled on this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Monique-Dress-Sewing-Pattern-Serendipity-Studio-/150585491959?pt=UK_Crafts_SewingPatterns_EH&hash=item230f9841f7
So now i just have to choose some fabric.
Managed a ride on Bimble my old arthritic girl tonight. She's really suffered from not being ridden while i was pregnant and while Grace was tiny. I've only really recently started to find the time to ride more regularly so i'm hoping we can build up a bit of muscle and get her in a better state so that she will have a good few more years in her yet.
Finally we had a go at candling the eggs in the incubator. It's the first time we've done it so we're not 100% confident of the results but i think 8 of the eggs are clear and will not hatch. I've marked those ones and put them back in the incubator to see what happens. Being novices to this i'd hate to be removing perfectly viable eggs by mistake. Today is day 13, so watch this space in just over a weeks time and we'll see whether my predictions on which ones will hatch is correct!
Graces nap time was spent searching for a pattern for a dress i'd like to make. I think i;ve settled on this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Monique-Dress-Sewing-Pattern-Serendipity-Studio-/150585491959?pt=UK_Crafts_SewingPatterns_EH&hash=item230f9841f7
So now i just have to choose some fabric.
Managed a ride on Bimble my old arthritic girl tonight. She's really suffered from not being ridden while i was pregnant and while Grace was tiny. I've only really recently started to find the time to ride more regularly so i'm hoping we can build up a bit of muscle and get her in a better state so that she will have a good few more years in her yet.
Finally we had a go at candling the eggs in the incubator. It's the first time we've done it so we're not 100% confident of the results but i think 8 of the eggs are clear and will not hatch. I've marked those ones and put them back in the incubator to see what happens. Being novices to this i'd hate to be removing perfectly viable eggs by mistake. Today is day 13, so watch this space in just over a weeks time and we'll see whether my predictions on which ones will hatch is correct!
Introducing me!
Well as this is my first post i guess i'd better use it to explain a little about who i am and what i do!
I'm Sian. I'm almost 28. I have a wonderful husband, Nick and a beautiful 17 month old daughter, Grace. We share our home with two spaniels and we share our lives with two ponies a flock of chickens and at the moment three little pigs. We have lived at Old Barn Cottage, in the Lincolnshire countryside for around 6 years now. When my maternity leave ended after having Grace we made the decision for me to stay at home and concentrate on raising her rather than returning to work. As a result the idea behind 'Old Barn Pigs and Poultry' was born. This blog will hopefully tell the story of how it, and our lives develop.
We have kept laying hens for several years and enjoyed the yummy eggs ourselves as well as selling the surplus to friends and family. We are now venturing into the world of poultry breeding. We are breeding hens specifically for their ability to lay a good number of 'eggciting eggs'! Our first batch of 24 eggs are currently in the incubator with 6 also under a broody. They will lay dark brown and olive coloured eggs with sky blue and speckledy eggs also in the pipe line. Some of the chicks will be for our own laying flock and some will be for sale.
We are also for the first time raising our own rare breed pigs for meat. We have two (i realise there are three in the photo we are keeping one for someone else!) British Lop boars who are currently 3 1/2 months and due to go to slaughter in August. We have had great fun with them so far and plan to raise more next spring so will have home reared rare breed pork available soon!
As well as this we grow as much of our own fruit and veg as possible, although this is more my husbands area of expertise at the moment but i am learning!
I also dabble in a bit of sewing and knitting. I knit fabric into rugs and am currently making fabric chickens and bunting to sell.
That probably enough ramblings for now. I hope to update this blog regularly with the goings on at the Old Barn, our very own version of 'The Good Life'!
I'm Sian. I'm almost 28. I have a wonderful husband, Nick and a beautiful 17 month old daughter, Grace. We share our home with two spaniels and we share our lives with two ponies a flock of chickens and at the moment three little pigs. We have lived at Old Barn Cottage, in the Lincolnshire countryside for around 6 years now. When my maternity leave ended after having Grace we made the decision for me to stay at home and concentrate on raising her rather than returning to work. As a result the idea behind 'Old Barn Pigs and Poultry' was born. This blog will hopefully tell the story of how it, and our lives develop.
We have kept laying hens for several years and enjoyed the yummy eggs ourselves as well as selling the surplus to friends and family. We are now venturing into the world of poultry breeding. We are breeding hens specifically for their ability to lay a good number of 'eggciting eggs'! Our first batch of 24 eggs are currently in the incubator with 6 also under a broody. They will lay dark brown and olive coloured eggs with sky blue and speckledy eggs also in the pipe line. Some of the chicks will be for our own laying flock and some will be for sale.
We are also for the first time raising our own rare breed pigs for meat. We have two (i realise there are three in the photo we are keeping one for someone else!) British Lop boars who are currently 3 1/2 months and due to go to slaughter in August. We have had great fun with them so far and plan to raise more next spring so will have home reared rare breed pork available soon!
As well as this we grow as much of our own fruit and veg as possible, although this is more my husbands area of expertise at the moment but i am learning!
I also dabble in a bit of sewing and knitting. I knit fabric into rugs and am currently making fabric chickens and bunting to sell.
That probably enough ramblings for now. I hope to update this blog regularly with the goings on at the Old Barn, our very own version of 'The Good Life'!
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