Fertile Chicken Eggs | Chicken Egg Incubators

The growing popularity of keeping a backyard flock of poultry for their nutritious eggs, or even their meat, means that people who have no experience with chicken diseases are now faced with learning to diagnose and prevent the spread of pathogens among their flock. Although the backyard is generally a much more healthy living environment than a large commercial farm, owners of a backyard flock need to be familiar with common chicken diseases that might affect their flock.
 
Fowl Pox
 
Although this disease is also called chicken pox, it is not the same as the human disease. Transmitted directly from chicken to chicken or by mosquitoes, fowl pox is a viral disease that can be prevented by mosquito control and vaccination. The dry form of the disease is characterized by warty bumps on the face or legs. In the wet form, lesions form inside the mouth and air passages. Chickens can get both types at the same time. As this is one of the chicken diseases caused by a virus, there is no treatment.
 
Respiratory Diseases
 
There is a wide range of conditions that can cause coughing, sneezing and runny eyes in chickens. Consulting a vet knowledgeable about chicken diseases is the best way to discover what is causing the problems in your flock. Avian flu has respiratory symptoms as well as other viral chicken diseases.
 
Infectious Bronchitis
 
Infectious bronchitis is highly contagious and also affects the respiratory tract, but other symptoms may be present as well. Great difficulty breathing is noticed primarily at night. The chickens will eat and drink less, and egg production drops significantly. If eggs are laid, the shells are rough and the whites watery. This is also a viral disease and there is no treatment. Try to keep the chickens warm and comfortable, avoiding drafts.
 
External Parasites
 
External parasites include fleas that can also infect your household pets. Search for fleas around the head area, looking closely near the comb and eyes. Treat all external parasites with medication developed for chickens. Mites are tiny and may not be noticed, but can spread disease in your flock. Tics also affect birds and can transmit diseases. Lice are another common parasite on chickens.
 
Internal Parasites
 
Internal parasites are less common than external parasites, but young birds with immature immune systems may be particularly susceptible if they are exposed to older birds that carry parasites. Worms are quite common but rarely cause serious problems in the birds. If you notice weight loss or diarrhea, take the bird's feces to a vet for examination. Coccidiosis can be fatal to young birds, so keep the coop clean and dry to help prevent this disease.
 
As with human diseases, the best method of caring for your backyard flock is to practice prevention methods. Thoroughly cleaning the chicken coop, protecting your chickens from exposure to disease, buying vaccinated chicks, and maintaining an overall healthy environment for your backyard flock will go a long way in preventing chicken diseases. Keep any newly acquired chickens isolated from the flock long enough to be sure they are disease free. Most chicken hatcheries vaccinate chicks at one day old, preventing many of the most common virally caused chicken diseases.

ChickenHousesPlus.com carries some medication for your flock.

Raising a coop full of chickens can be a fun and educating experience. Chickens can be hatched or bought from local farmers. They can also be ordered through a number of different hatcheries. If you are learning how to raise chickens then it is best to buy already hatched chicks. It is also recommend to only try raising female chickens, hens, the first time you raise chickens. Roosters can be aggressive, territorial and very loud.

Housing - Find the right Chicken Coop

Before bringing the young chicks home a brooder should be set up for them to spend four to five weeks in. A brooder can be made of almost any type of cage or tub. The brooder should be large enough for the chicks to be able to spread out comfortably. Wood shaving should be used to line the floor of the brooder. The bedding should be changed daily to avoid smell and illness.

Once the chicks are old enough to go outside they will need a chicken coop. The coop should be large enough to shelter the chickens from wind and rain. The chickens will also need enough room for them to scratch at the ground and search for bugs. Most hens will begin to lay eggs around six months. Having a chicken coop will make it a lot easier to find those eggs before they spoil.

Food and Water

The chicks will eat food called crumbles at this time. This type of chick food can be bought in either medicated or non-medicated form. Feeding medicated food will help avoid an illness killing off most of the chickens later on. When you feed non-medicated food then you will have to be especially careful about keeping the brooder and the chicken coop clean. Once the chicks reach a few weeks then you can fed them worms or bugs found in the yard or garden. Avoid feeding them green bugs. This could cause loose droppings and may get the chick sick. Full grown chickens can be feed a well balanced chicken feed. They will also scratch in the dirt looking for worms and bugs.

Chicks drink a lot of water, and will need to have clean water available to them at all times. Automated water containers are very helpful. These will help keep the water clean, and can be easily removed to be cleaned.

Temperature

You will also need a heating lamp to help maintain the temperature. The behavior of the chicks can help determine the settings used on the heating lamp. If the chicks huddle close together constantly then they are chilly, and the lamp should be moved closer. If they act sluggish, and avoid contact with each other then they may be too warm. As the chicks' feathers grow then the lamp can be raised higher and higher.

The chickens can be placed outside once their adult feathers have come in. Temperatures should not fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Otherwise the young chickens may freeze.

Outside Time

When learning how to raise chickens it is important to have fun, and that means for the chicks also. Chickens are very curious creatures, and love to wonder around. Play time outside is a great way to get the chickens use to living outside later on also. Be very careful to keep an eye on the chicks while they are outside. They can get stuck easily, and are very venerable to larger prey animals, like dogs and cats.

Rhode Island Reds are one of the most popular breeds of chicken, and for good reason! These hardy, easy keepers do well in almost any climate, are great layers of brown eggs, and come in both standard size and a much smaller bantam size. Developed in the states of Rhode Island and Massachusetts in the 1840's, early flocks contained chickens of various colors and comb types, but the most common color today is a lovely deep red that has become the most identifiable characteristic of this iconic breed. Curious and athletic, and able to handle poor diets and even poorer weather, they're a great choice for small flocks. Although usually gentle, quiet, and sociable both towards humans and other chickens, Rhode Island Red chickens can be feisty and independent, and their seemingly endless curiosity can get them into trouble. They can be kept in close quarters, but often become restless and pushy in really tight confinement. These traits, however, also make them great foragers a quality which makes them popular among backyard flocks.

Hens begin laying early, and though they will not always lay in the extreme heat or cold, they can lay more than 200 large medium sized brown eggs a year.  It isn't too unusual for them to lay large eggs in their first year, and they may go on to lay double yolked eggs in subsequent years. Because of their egg laying abilities, Rhode Island Red chickens are often used in some of the most common commercial hybrids such as red sex links, ISA browns, and golden sex links. As you may guess from some of the names, the color of day old chicks from some of these hybrid crossings depends on their gender, making it easy to sort females from males as soon as they are hatched.

Roosters are large and handsome, and are big enough as cockerels that Rhode Island Reds are considered a "dual purpose breed", meaning that while the hens make great layers, extra males and older hens traditionally provided large and meaty carcasses for the Sunday dinner table! Don't be too quick to send young roos to the freezer, though. They can make for very watchful protectors of the flock, will warn of intruders, and can even make great pets.

The hens rarely go broody, making them ideal for flocks where the maximum number of eggs is wanted. But beware: because of their popularity, and because they are so widely available, some flock lines are considered much better layers than others. If you are considering keeping Rhode Island Red chickens, do your research and make sure you get your birds from a reputable source. Also be aware that there are both "production" lines and "show" lines. In show quality lines, chickens are bred to have close to perfect color and conformation, but may not lay quite so many eggs in a given year as their less pretty relatives.

For adaptability, willingness to forage for some of their own food, personality, and egg laying ability, it's really hard to beat Rhode Island Reds. Whether standard size, bantam, show quality or production variety, these chickens will continue to be among the most popular breeds worldwide.

Have you decided to raise your own chickens? If so, you may be at a complete loss of where to start. Let’s take it from day one, assuming that you’ve already decided to raise your own flock.

Day One: Where to start?

“We can see a thousand miracles around us every day. What is more supernatural than an egg yolk turning into a chicken?” – S. Parkes Cadman

Start first by ensuring you have the proper facility to raise your flock. Sticking a chicken into a cage is NOT proper facility. A crate or cage can be used for temporary purposes but should never be used as a permanent home. Clean the facility, and ensure there is a safe “home”/chicken coop for your grown chickens to retire to.

If you have decided to raise chickens from eggs, make sure you find a reliable source. Investing in an incubator is an idea if you plan on raising chickens in the long run. Otherwise, some places allow you to rent on.

“The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it.” – unknown

Lastly, take your time. Rushing things or skimping on details will result in stale eggs, or chickens that won’t last long.

Expecting healthy and fluffy chicks is always exciting and the best way to get started is to prepare a brooder box right away. This brooder box will be essential in making sure all of your chicks stay dry and keep warm. A typical brooder box has walls so your chicks are safely contained along with a brooder lamp and a bottom surface with optional shavings. Don't forget that these chicks need to eat food to survive and drink water so be sure that your brooder has the necessary space.

Starting with the brooder's body is recommended because you can use any material for it. It can be a fish tank, storage tub, kiddie pool, or even a cardboard box. Any of these things can pass as a brooder box as long as the chick is in an area of at least two square feet.

Cover is also a vital component of the brooder box if the depth of your chosen container measures over a less than a foot deep. This becomes optional if the box is much deeper. A cover also keeps your chicks safe from harm which may be necessary if you have pets around the house. Any full cover will do as long as your chicks have breathing room. Keep your chicks well ventilated by ensuring that the cover is made of breathable materials.

The purpose of the brooder lamp is to keep your chicks in optimal temperatures. You can achieve appropriate temperature by simply installing a single infrared lamp with a 200-watt bulb. To prevent the dangerous possibilities of starting fires, add a wire guard running underneath the lamp. Make sure that your purchase includes a clamp and reflector as well.

It is up to you on how you want to place your brooder box lamp. Just keep it at a level that looks right for chicks. It also helps to make the lamp accessible to just in case you need to fine-tune the temperature by adding or subtracting five-degree intervals.

You won't be able to figure out the exact temperature unless you have a thermometer. A wire makes things easier in putting the thermometer in place while making it readable too. Another trick is to put a sensor just beneath the lamp.

Next you can move on to the bedding where pine shavings are a smart choice. Place these pine shavings on the bottom portion of your box. Don't worry if you notice your chicks eating them because pine shavings are safe. Just make sure that the shavings are pine and not cedar because cedar shavings are toxic to chicks. Avoid using newspapers as well because their slippery surfaces may cause your chicks to have spraddle legs. If newspapers are your only possible option, the least you can do is to shred them to tiny bits and pieces. Otherwise, consider some alternatives like rice hulls or clean sand.

You can create your own feeder with ease too if you have egg cartons lying around. Just use the egg part and you are all set. If you want to add some style to your brooder box, you are free to pick from various styles and designs that are available in different markets and feed stores. Online sources have even broader selections.

Your chicks will need some encouragement to drink and that is the purpose of the waterers. Rather than getting soaked, the chicks will drink the water instead. The chances are greater if the waterer is in a red hue as it is a lot more visible to the chicks.

These steps are very simple to perform and after a few minutes, your brooder box is all set providing that you start with a complete set of materials.

Suzie O'Conner owns and manages the website ChickenHousePlus.com. Based in sunny Florida, the site offers a variety of quail eggs and fertile chicken eggs. Other fertilized eggs including egg incubators can be found on the site too. It completes the essentials by offering some organic chicken feed, chicken houses, and brooder boxes. You can contact customer service by dial 888-595-5306 or by checking out the live chat located at ChickenHousePlus.com.

All chickens need the following to be successful, happy, and healthy.

1. Be sure that whatever area you do provide for your flock, you also provide plenty of safety. A fence is ideal for safety, allows for your flock to roam free but also still keeps them safe from predators. For ideas, tips, and tricks to keeping your flock safe, visit our website today.
2. It comes as no surprise that a proper diet is needed. In order to keep your flock happy and successful, they must first be healthy. Check with local vets or feed stores to figure out what is the best food for your flock
3. If you have decided to raise your flock for their eggs, be sure to provide them adequate space to nest in. Also be sure to provide plenty of materials for your chickens to use to create their own nest. A flock should have a home to retire to, such as a well built chicken coop.

If you do not currently own your home, and are renting, be sure to check with your landlord before even bringing your pets home. If your landlord is fine with the idea, you’ll want to be sure that you do not build a permanent fixture, and that your coop can be easily relocated if need be. Next, consider how much space you can designate for your chickens, and be sure that the layout of the coop can accommodate however big your flock may be. Lastly, be sure your coop, even though it may not be as sturdy as a permanent fixture may be, is just as safe. Perhaps putting a temporary fence around your coop would also be ideal to provide a little bit of extra safety.

Chicken Houses Plus is a great online resource to help you pick the perfect coop.

If you’ve decided to raise your own chickens for food, here are a few tips to follow.

Avoid steroids and other chemicals for your flock. Although these materials may make your chickens larger, it is unhealthy for you. Any unnecessary chemicals can also cause damage to your birds as well.

If you are gathering eggs, be sure to handle with care. Any eggs that are fertilized do not wash as this could damage the baby chick. Check local and state standards for any eggs that you plan to sell. There are many rules and regulations regarding the proper handling and care for food being sold on the market.

Additionally, any meat you plan on selling, be sure to check the regulations as well. If you are planning on selling organically, these rules and regulations are a lot stricter than others. Follow any and all rules from the very beginning, and you’re sure to have a quick turnover and sale.

For purchasing eggs, or chickens, check out www.chickenhousesplus.com.

For those who are choosing to raise chickens organically for their own purposes, and not for market, take into consideration all that is needed for sale. Your chickens should be fed an organic diet, and allowed to free range.

 It is entirely up to the owner whether or not they feel their chickens should be vaccinated or should receive medicine when sick. A free range chicken on a healthy diet is unlikely to get sick. The best organic chicken is ultimately a happy chicken. Keep your flock healthy and happy by allowing them daily access to a pasture, as well as giving them attention.

Many do not realize that chickens are very social creature and enjoy the human interaction, especially once they become comfortable with that human. Be sure to take all safety measures before allowing your flock to free range to protect against unwanted predators, although allowed to free range the flock should still be monitored.

Additionally, be sure your flock has a coop or house to retire too, or flee to if they feel threatened. And last but not least, always make sure your flock has access to water, and be sure to supply fresh and clean water daily as many contaminants and bacteria build up in water left unattended.

Here are a few tips for storing Fertile Chicken Eggs.

Any cracked or overly dirty eggs should be removed and not stored as these impurities reduce the chance of a healthy chicken hatching. These eggs also increase the chance of spreading infection to other eggs that may be in the incubator. Do not try to wash any dirty eggs as this can do more damage than good.

Any fertilized egg should be gathered immediately, and placed in proper storage. Ideally fertilized eggs should make their way into an incubator as soon as possible to reduce the risk of spoiling eggs. Be sure to start your incubator 24 hours before placing fertilized eggs inside to ensure the proper temperatures.

Once a chicken egg is fertile it is very important to keep the egg at the right temperature. If the temperature is too cold then the chick may die.  Some recommend keeping fertilized chicken eggs in a cool dry place, other suggest keeping the fertilized chicken eggs wrapped in a towel to maintain warmth. It is very important to not change the temperatures too fast or drastically as this will reduce the chances of the eggs properly hatching.

Black Copper Maran Fertile Chicken Eggs are not only gorgeous but they are considered an exceptional eating egg and highly prized by chefs the world over.  Maran Chickens are a gentle breed generally quiet and docile.  They are also considered to be a “dual” bird in that they supply both eggs and meat.

 Black Copper Maran Fertile Chicken Eggs are a beautiful dark chocolate brown and medium size.  Place your order now for fertile chicken eggs from ChickenHousesPlus.com and you can enjoy these eggs in a few short months and start your own Black Cooper Maran chicken flock.

Amish Chicken Coops

Amish crafted chicken coops start as low as $375 and may be shipped directly to your home.  Adorable chicken house designs include the “Little Red Hen House”, 4 x 4 Chicken Coop that may be customized to match your house or barn and is perfect for any backyard, a Barn inspired chicken coop for larger flocks and so much more.  Pricing includes delivery to your house.