Navigating The Site

1. Where do I find information about poultry health?

   You can find information on poultry health by clicking on the "Poultry Health"  tab on the left side of your screen.  Other good reference areas are listed under the "Links" tab.

Black Copper Marans

1. How do the eggs from the BCM hens get so dark?

   The color comes from a process of saturation of liquid coloring on the shell, not in the shell. This happens in the last 10 centimeters of the oviduct of the hen. Immediately after the laying this mucus covering dries quickly and this becomes part of the shell coloring. This is in the breeding of the birds. Many have tried different techniques such as feed and other additives to get only a temporary color but the true consistent egg color comes within the breed itself.

   Freshly laid egg can have the color smeared if it is not allowed to dry before handling. That is why some eggs even pick up straw marks in the egg color if the hen is laying in a nest with hay. This is why they call the Marans egg a painted egg.

    

2. How can I get on the waiting list for Black Copper Marans chicks or eggs?

   At the left hand side of any page you will see a page entitled " 2011 BCM waiting list".  There you will find a form to complete.
   

Hatching Eggs

1. What steps can I take to increase the percentages of my hatch rate being a success?

   Hatching eggs should be incubated within 1 week to 10 days after they are laid. Hatchability declines rapidly when incubation is postponed for more than 10 days. Until they are incubated, hatching eggs should be stored in cartons or cases—large end up—at 40 to 70° F. (50-60° F. is best) with a relative humidity of about 75 percent. If the eggs are to be stored for more than 2 to 3 days before they are incubated, their positions should be changed each day to reduce the tendency for the yolks to stick to the shells. Begin by propping up one end of the case or carton; each day, change the position of the block, or turn the container end for end. If you can have your eggs supplied within 1 or 2 days before you incubate, you eliminate these procedures.

2. How long does it take to hatch my eggs?

   Species Days

    

   Chicken 21

   Most ducks 28

   Muscovy ducks 33-35

   Turkey 28

   Most geese 29-31

   Ringneck pheasant 23-24

   Japanese quail 17-18

   Bobwhite quail 23

   Chuckar partridge 22-23

   Guinea 26-28

   Peafowl 28

3. What did I do wrong? Trouble shooting your hatch.

   Symptoms Possible cause

    

   Eggs candling clear

   No blood rings or embryo growth. 1.Eggs from a flock having no roosters.

   2.Poor flock management.

   3.Eggs stored below 40° F or which were too old before setting.

    

   Eggs candling clear

   But showing blood or very small embryos on breaking. 1.Incubator temperature too high.

   2.Eggs stored below 40 or above 80° F. before setting.

    

   Dead Embryos

   Before hatching time. 1.Eggs haven't been turned at least 3 times a day.

   2.Lack of ventilation.

   3.Incubator temperature set too high or too low.

   4.Breeder flock having poor hatchability or fed inadequate ration.

    

   Eggs pipped but not hatched (Chick pecks hole through shell)

   Chicks dead in shells.

   Sticky chicks

   Shells sticking to chicks. 1.Low average humidity.

   2.Low average temperature.

   3.Low humidity at hatching time.

   4.Excessive high temperature for short period.

    

   Hatching too early

   With bloody navels. 1.Temperature too high.

    

   Delayed hatch

   Eggs not pipping until 21st day or later. 1.Temperature too low.

    

   Draggy hatch

   Some chicks hatch early, but hatch is slow in finishing. 1.Temperature too high.

    

   Crippled chicks 1.Abnormalities in development.

   2.Poor nutrition of hens.

   3.Incubator temperature too high.

Redwood Incubators

1. Do the older Redwood Incubators function the same or differently than the newer units?

   The Redwoods work a little different from the newer units.  Please see the page entitled "Redwood Incubators" and the page entitled "Incubation Techniques"