I’m ecstatic! Twenty-one newly-hatched little ones, with just enough season left to acclimate them safely. Hopefully most are hens.
They all look to be wild types, goldens, and tuxedos. The tuxedos look like sweet little teddy bears. I just love them!
I sure don’t mind the Farm Innovators incubator so far. It’s reliable, easy to add water to, and offers a clear view. The Styrofoam make-up keeps the temperature stable too.
I’ve been using heat plates in the brooder for a while now. The chicks always take to them right away, and they can come and go from them as they need to. The fire risk seems to be no more than that of a desk lamp. The need for supplemental heating ends sooner too.
Since the quail shed is up and occupied, and since this final hatch of the year was successful, I look forward to a fall and winter of soaping, crocheting and browsing the seed catalogues instead of incubating eggs and vacuuming up copious amounts of down.
Oh, my god – these babies! <3
