Spring Chicks

We are testing the potency of Colonel Saunders our sweet Bielefelder rooster. His harem includes two Bielefelders, Gretchen and Frieda and two Whiting True Blues, Henrietta (his favorite) and Azure (the silver one). Those girls have been popping out 4 large eggs nearly everyday all winter. We just aren't sure if the Colonel is virile (or shooting blanks) so we are checking out the chickens. He is so magnificent and gentle we are hoping for great things! Of the 7 eggs we set for a small test run, three were fertile when we candled them. The Corgi, Elan, and our Shepherd, Shera, enjoyed the week old eggs that weren't developing. The other three are on lock-down in the last 48 hours of their incubation. The humidity is up and I am pacing the floor for the first chick hatch of Spring! 

You are not supposed to count your eggs before their hatched but I do have to get ready soooo.....My brooder is scrubbed and set, already warming. Waterer and feeder are clean.  Fresh organic chick starter is lined up close at hand.  I like puppy pads the first few days for good footing and easy cleaning. I put 5 layers in there so I can slide a layer out from under and a new one is already set (to disturb them as little as possible).  

I always have added live culture, raw apple cider vinegar to their drinking water. This year I will also be adding raw unprocessed local honey  and crushed organic garlic. This new recipe is called "Miracle Water" by Julie from This Beautiful Farm Life. Her recipe is: 

1 gallon pure warm water

2 tbsp raw apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup raw honey

2 cloves raw garlic, smashed or minced

I will keep you posted on the results of Colonel Saunders clutch and the Miracle Water! I am setting 3 dozen Quail eggs this afternoon in our big incubator. Half Celedon baby blue egg layers and half Texas A&M big meat birds that also are good layers! I can't wait!! Those 14 -16 days feel like forever when I'm this excited to hold babies!!

Until then, Keep your sunny side up! Nancy