nicksiders
GOLD MEMBER
4241 posts
Mar 25, 2010
10:19 PM
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Racing Homers are much larger than Rollers. I don't know what caused the youngsters death, but I would go with a smaller nest bowl.
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Always A Friend
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Nick Siders
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Pogohawk
74 posts
Mar 26, 2010
8:17 AM
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I do use nest pads but not the black ones. It was also a colder night so I suppose it could have been that as well. The other egg did not hatch either, so I'm hoping its not a more serious problem. Poor hen didn't know what to do after I got rid of them. She seems a little better today.
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Roll Down
100 posts
Mar 26, 2010
8:42 AM
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Pogohawk:
If you must use plastic nest bowls, ( which are not porous ) drill some small holes on the bottom of each bowl.
This not only helps the eggs breathe but also the chicks, when they are covered up by the parents.
I prefer the clay pots ( which are porous ) and which already have holes in them.
NEVER use pieces of old rug for lining your nest bowls
as you can have big problems doing this.
-- I wouldn't trust the felt pads, either.
Pine needles, tobacco stems, soybean stems and hay are some of the better things which will all make good nesting material. ( straw as a last resort. )
Hope this helps.
Geo. D.
Last Edited by on Mar 26, 2010 8:44 AM
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Roll Down
101 posts
Mar 27, 2010
12:09 PM
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Pogohawk:
Sounds to me like you're doing everything right.
Like you said, it might have been just the cold night.
Let us know what happens with the next round from this pair.
You can try using a small night light also.
They are relatively inexpensive and lets the hen see enough to get back on her chicks ( or eggs ) more easily if she decides to leave the nest for any reason.
Geo. D.
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gentle johnnie
135 posts
Mar 27, 2010
4:38 PM
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Pogo- I use large plastic dog bowls put about 4- 1/4" holes in bottom use a large coffee filter with 1 cup of play sand and pine needles- sand help eggs hatch about 1 to 2 days early some times lol GOD BLESS
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Gentle Johnnie "Angels of the Sky Loft"
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Pogohawk
77 posts
Mar 28, 2010
8:01 AM
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I will try the sand and let you guys know how the second round turns out. The hen still hasn't laid again so it will be a little while.
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Roll Down
102 posts
Mar 28, 2010
8:28 AM
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gentle johnnie:
I like your idea of using large coffee filters in your nest bowls.
I think I will try this myself.
Thanks,
Geo.D.
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gentle johnnie
136 posts
Mar 28, 2010
11:50 AM
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Pogo& Roll Down- the thing like about coffee filters and sand most makes clean up much easier and eggs seam to hatch a little early but clean up main reason and with pine needles no bugs- GOD BLESS!!!
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Gentle Johnnie "Angels of the Sky Loft"
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Sunflower
GOLD MEMBER
628 posts
Mar 28, 2010
12:17 PM
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Gentle Johnnie,
Regarding the coffee filters, is there a particular brand that you prefer? Do you use 2 or 3 filters to give it a little more strength? A great idea, I'll have to try it.
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Keep em Spinning
Joe
Last Edited by on Mar 28, 2010 12:17 PM
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Velo99
2281 posts
Mar 28, 2010
6:16 PM
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I use the coffee filters too. They serve a dual purpose. Grip for the young if they get a substandard nest and ease of cleaning when you dump the bowl when its time.
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V99
blue sky single beat
in cadance performing now
earth beckons the winged
drawn breath is let quickly forth
orchestral movement follows
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