The New Incubator is here

Okay so its arrived now, got it set up and working, happy the temperature control is good, humiditiy seems constant, so now I'm ready to go, just need some eggs.

I have loads of fertile quail eggs, bot don't really want more quail, have fertile duck eggs, but again don't really want more ducks. So what shall I do? Has anybody got any eggs for sale or to swap?

Thanks in adavnce

Eggs

So what shall I hatch first.

I could hatch some quail, quick easy and we have a trio so have plenty of eggs. Don't really want more quail.

I could hatch Ducks, love ducks, but already have 12 babies running around.

Bantams, had loads of attempts but not much success.

Emm, decisions..

Our New Incubator

The Incubator we are getting ia a Brinsea Octagon 10. The info below is from Th Brinsea Website.

Octagon 10 - more information / technical notes

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Small, reliable, easy to use - Careful design and the use of modern materials and manufacturing techniques has enabled this tiny high quality incubator to be available at a very reasonable price.


The combination of 'Omnitherm™' heating, advanced temperature control and high quality construction results in a reliable and extremely easy to use incubator.
The Omnitherm principle ensures that the eggs are gently warmed by the printed element which encircles the egg chamber and results in stable, even temperature throughout the enclosure without the need for a fan.
Different egg sizes, including goose eggs, can be accommodated by adjusting the width of the egg channel with the dividers provided. The eggs are accessed by drawing out the egg tray from one end.
The smaller the incubator, the harder it is to keep the temperature steady. Brinsea's proven Omnitherm™ heating technology is the solution, providing all round heating and visibility at the
same time.
Egg turning is achieved, as with all models in the Octagon range, by rotating the whole cabinet. This feature means that manual turning is easy and does not involve opening the enclosure or touching the eggs. Automatic turning is an option with the separate Autoturn cradle which turns the incubator once per hour. The external turning system keeps all moving parts outside the incubator away from moisture and dust leaving the enclosure easier to clean. The incubator easily lifts clear of the cradle allowing it to stand level for hatching.

The advanced, proportional electronic temperature control is similar to that used across the Brinsea range and is the result of many years of refinement. The temperature is set on a twenty turn adjuster using a small screwdriver from outside the incubator. An indicator light displays the status of the temperature control.

Humidity is provided by two water trays accessible by partially withdrawing the egg tray.
A high quality incubation thermometer, individually calibrated on the glass for accuracy, is provided with each incubator.



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Egg Capacity (Approx.)

Quail 24
Pheasant 12
Hen 10
Duck 8
Goose 3

Physical Data

Dimensions
Incubator only 13.50" x 6" x 6" high
340 x 150 x150 mm high
With cradle 16" x 6.25 x 9" high
405 x 165 x 230 mm
Weight
Incubator 2.4 lb (1.1 Kg)
Autoturn cradle 2.0 lb (0.9 Kg)
Power Consumption:
(maximum) 25 Watts
Power Consumption:
(typical) 12 Watts
Electricity supply 115v 60Hz or 230v 50Hz
as ordered

New Incubator

I've just myself a new incubator on ebay, paid a liitle more than I wanted to but hey, hopefully it will be what I want.

Can't wait now for it to arrive.

And then what to hatch?????

Tiny Egg

Don't know if its the weather or what but we have had a few odd eggs lately, two weeks ago one of the ducks laid an egg the size and shape of a ping pong ball, and the two days ago Pecker who lays a normal bantam size egg everyday, laid the egg above, not much bigger than a penny, shown below with two of her other eggs for size comparisson.

Very odd.

New Birds

Well after months of searching and umming and arring, we are finally getting some new birds, when I say birds I mean Bantams to join our twoo remaining silkies.

Babies everywhere.

Now that I have lost my shed, or rather I'm banned from the shed due to a rather grumpy mummy duck, I am stuck in the garden so here some photos os the muscovies enjoying the sun.

Muscovy Babies taking a swim

Here a couple of films showing the babies doing what they love best swimming on a sunny day.





And another

New Forum For Goat Owners

New Forum just started for goat owners in the UK, check it out here http://ukgoatowners.myfreeforum.org/

Pass it on to everyone you know who loves goats.

Cute Duckling Pictures

Sad News

Sad News, we have lost one of the new ducklings managed to get in to the main enclosure with the big ducks, and it would appear that the male muscovy decided that he would make a nice breakfast, luckily the older children were all at school so didn't see it.

I have now managed to catch mother duck and babies and they are now safely in the shed.

muscovy duckling goes hunting

One of our ducklings at a week old trying to catch flies.

New Babies

Well atlast after what seems like the whole summer (this is her second attempt) Denis (now denise) finally manage to hatch some babies, 5 so far.

3 all yellow, 1 Yellow with grey back and 1 mainly black with yellow wings and bib (nicknamed Zoro).

Incubator

Well it looks like our first incubator may have given up the ghost, as it no longer seems to be getting hot enough.

So I'm on the look out for a new incubator.

Dead Duckling

Sadly when Rosie went out to feed the animals this morning, she found one of the ducklings laying on the ground unable to lift its head and with blood around its head. I took it oof her and it was obvious that it had a broken neck, it died almost instantly in my hands, upon closer examination it was obvious thatit also head a head injury.

It would appear that it had fallen doen the step and then been trodden on by a goat, poor little thing.