The Hatching Post

Where do I get a hatching chicken eggs kit?

Posted on Mar 01, 2011 under Hatching Eggs | 1 Comment

I am doing a science experiment for science fair. I want to hatch chickens and record my observations. I don’t know where to buy fertile chicken eggs to hatch and i don’t know where to buy a cheap incubator. Is there a kit that I can order online that includes the eggs, an incubator, and other necessary things needed to complete the experiment? Or any websites that sells just eggs or just incubators?

it’s harder then you think, you need to read up on how to hatch chicken eggs. just google

‘chicken eggs hatching care sheet’

if this is just for a science project, you do realise that once hatched you will have to look after them for quite a few years, do you actually have a place that you can keep them once there big? and have enough to feed them whilst there Chicks and adults? and do you have a brooding box?

if not, i’d think twice about hatching chicken eggs for a science fair project.

you can make your own chicken incubator with a polystyorine box (that you can probably pick up free from a meat or fish shop) or a cooler box.

buying a bulb holder with a plug on the end, and a thermostat, i used a thermostat from a aquarium heater that had a thermostat probe, i then cut the wire to remove the fish tank heater, and placed the bulb holder on it.

i then placed the bulb into the polystyorine crate/box with a small 5w bulb, and put in the heat probe on the opposite side, put the eggs in and left them (i was incubating reptile eggs). you will have to turn the eggs on occasion.

once they have hatched, you will need a brooding box, this is a warm box. you can use a large plastic storage box with holes, and a light bulb inside to keep the chicks warm.

you will also need water trays and seed trays for the chicks.

and you can get fertile eggs on ebay search ‘chicken Hatching Eggs‘

What temperature do I need in my incubator to hatch eggs?

Posted on Apr 23, 2010 under Hatching Eggs | 4 Comments

What is the lowest possible temptuer for Chicken Eggs to hatch? My incubator will not go anyhigher than 98F .. is that fine?

You should keep the incubator at 100 F, but since your only two degrees below it is all okay. Don’t forget about the humidity, it should be at 60%. Also you need to turn the eggs about six times everyday so that the yolk doesn’t stick to one side. Its hard work but such fun. I loved it when my family had their farm. Good luck.

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Egg Hatching Blue Splash Silkie

Posted on Apr 14, 2010 under Hatching Eggs | 13 Comments

This video gives you a good view of a chicken hatching in real time. Note how the incubator is set up and the other eggs due to hatch - and of course the little chick already hatched.

Blue Splash Silkie hatching to “Somebodies Watching Me”

Duration : 0:4:4

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Technorati Tags: bantam, barnyard, bird, chicken, coop, egg, Hatcherie, hatching, silkie

Easter Chicks @ Spitalfields City Farm

Posted on Apr 06, 2010 under Chicks | No Comment

2 day old Marsh Daisy chicks at Spitalfields City Farm (http://www.spitalfieldscityfarm.org/)
Hatched April 9th.

Part of the the farms ‘Rare Breeds in the City’ project, the Marsh Daisy is an ‘Endangered’ breed of poultry

http://www.rbst.org.uk/watch-list/poultry/marshdaisy

Duration : 0:1:45

Chicks/easter-chicks-spitalfields-city-farm#more-176″ class=”more-link”>Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: breed, chickens, Chicks, city, daisy, days, Easter, eggs, endangered, farm, feathers, marsh, old, poultry, Rare, shoreditch, spitalfields, Survival, trust, two

Chicken Ark - Hen House - Poultry Coop - complete with Chickens

Posted on Mar 23, 2010 under chicken ark | 4 Comments

There are a wide range of chicken coops available - watch they are well-made and sturdy, with no protuding fixings and that they are finished so it is harder for mites to get a foothold.

Well-designed and built coops should last you a long time and we always ensue our coops are responsibly sourced and well-built.

Cheap imports from China may lok a bargain, but check the quality before you buy.

If you’re getting started a complete kit could be the way to go - this idea is from the UK. http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/thepoultrypeople Made in our UK Workshop, complete with 3 birds. Compact and ideal for smaller gardens and city or town lives. We will supply you with 3 hens free of charge if you buy one of our Arks to help you in getting started with poultry keeping. Thanks for looking and please browse our other videos to see some of our chickens.

Duration : 0:1:1

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Technorati Tags: ark, chicken, chickens, hen, house, housing, uk

Raising Chickens In The City - Chicago Police Say NO

Posted on Feb 17, 2010 under Keeping chickens | 25 Comments

Cities in the US usually have ordnances about keeping chickens. As chickens are sometimes classified as non pets, this can mean that keeping them is illegal.

However, finding out what the law is in your city can be anything but straightforward. This example illustrated the point:

Is it legal keep chickens in the city of Chicago? Listen to conflicting information I receive from the police, the city clerk, and the legal department.

Duration : 0:9:52

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What vaccines do chicks need and where do I get it?

Posted on Feb 15, 2010 under Chicks | 1 Comment

Q I am going to raise my own Chicks but don’t know what vaccines they need or where to get it. I am planning on selling the chicks as they get to POL and want to be sure they are in good health. I have read up alot about how to raise them but can’t find anything on vaccines! I am buying fertilized eggs mail order as I don’t have a broody hen. ( all mine are ex battery hens). Please Help and thanks in advance.

A When chicks are hatched they should be given the vaccine for Merrick’s disease. Most U.S. hatcheries provide them. Call your state veterinarian, and ask your county agriculture officer, and ask about risks about chicks with Merrick’s. Try your local Blue Seal Feeds store, Tractor Supply Company store, or another agricultural store to find more info/the vaccine. Merrick’s disease is a bacteria that has become common in chicks age hatch-POL. It paralyzes the chicken from the neck down.

The chick is unable to move, therefore it dies a slow and painful death of hunger and thirst. But once a chick get’s Merrick’s, it’s very difficult to bring it back. When they get to POL, call the state vet to have him/her come out and test your birds for Salmonella and Bird flu. In the state of Connecticut, the vet charges $5 to go out to your home, and $1 for each bird tested. It consists of taking a scalpel and cutting its wing, taking some blood, a vaccine and a ID band around its ankle, which is helpful when you sell them, if the future owner wants to send them in a show

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