Planning to hatch eggs? Candling lets you peek inside to monitor development without cracking them open. What IS Candling? Shining a bright light through an egg to see internal development. The egg becomes translucent, revealing what's happening inside! When to Candle: 🥚Day 7-10: Check for development and blood vessels 🥚Day 14-18: Assess growth and air cell size 🥚Day 18+: STOP handling eggs (lockdown period) What You're Looking For: FERTILE & DEVELOPING: 🐥Spider-like blood vessels (Day 7) 🐥Dark mass (embryo) growing larger 🐥Movement in later stages 🐥 Expanding air cell at blunt end INFERTILE (Clear): 🥚Egg looks clear throughout 🥚Only yolk shadow visible 🥚No blood vessels or development EARLY DEATH (Blood Ring): ☠️Red ring visible inside egg ☠️Development stopped ☠️Remove from incubator Equipment: A simple LED flashlight works! Or purchase a dedicated egg candler. Dark room = better visibility. Critical Tips: 🧼Handle eggs gently, wash hands first 😓Don't candle too frequently (stresses developing embryo) 🌡️Room temperature eggs candle more clearly ✔️Mark questionable eggs, recheck in 3-4 days Fun Fact: You can see the chick moving inside around Day 14-16! The air cell also grows as the chick develops and needs more oxygen. Your turn: ❓Ever candled an egg and been totally amazed (or totally confused) by what you saw? 🤔 @Casey Balkcom I'd love if you showed your awesome candling video!

Ever wonder why some chickens lay 300 eggs yearly while others barely hit 150? It's heavily in the genetics! Let's break down breed categories. PRODUCTION BREEDS (High Output) 🥚Egg layers: Leghorns, ISA Browns, Golden Comets 🥚Bred for maximum egg production (280-320 eggs/year!) 🥚Smaller body size, efficient feed conversion 🥚Shorter productive lifespan (1-3 years peak) 🥚Often flighty, less broody DUAL-PURPOSE BREEDS (Balanced) 🐤Examples: Plymouth Rocks, Orpingtons, Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds 🐤Good egg production (200-280 eggs/year) + decent meat weight 🐤Calm temperaments, go broody more readily 🐤Longer productive lifespan 🐤Better foragers, hardier ORNAMENTAL/HERITAGE BREEDS (Beauty & Genetics) 🐔Examples: Silkies, Polish, Sebrights, Cochins 🐔Bred for appearance, show quality, or genetic preservation 🐔Lower egg production (100-180 eggs/year) 🐔Unique characteristics (feathered feet, crests, bantam size) 🐔Often excellent mothers, friendly pets ⚖️The Trade-Off: Research shows intensive selection for production traits often reduces: disease resistance, longevity, broodiness, and foraging ability. High producers need more management! Matching Breeds to Goals: 🐥Want maximum eggs? → Production breeds 🐥Backyard pets + decent eggs? → Dual-purpose 🐥Conservation + unique birds? → Heritage/ornamental Your turn: ❓What breed is your favorite and why? Personality, eggs, or looks? 🏆 ❓Ever been surprised by a breed not living up to (or exceeding!) its reputation? 😲

Day 8: Bedding Materials Comparison - Deep litter method vs. other options and what works best 💦Day 9: Water Requirements - How much water chickens actually need and why it's the most critical nutrient 🐓Day 10: Understanding Chicken Breeds - Production vs. dual-purpose vs. ornamental characteristics 🪶Day 11: Molting Science - Why chickens lose feathers and their nutritional needs during molt 🦝Day 12: Predator Identification - Common threats, their behavior patterns, and how to protect your flock 🥚Day 13: Candling Eggs - The fascinating science behind checking egg development ✝️Day 14: Sabbath - Rest day! Enjoy time in nature and with your birds! 🌿 Let me know in the comments which one your most interesting in!

Think biosecurity is just for commercial farms? Think again! These simple practices protect your flock from devastating diseases - and they're easier than you think. 🛡️What IS Biosecurity? Simply put: preventing disease from entering or spreading in your flock. Small flocks are actually MORE vulnerable because we often skip basic protections! The Big Three Disease Entry Points: 🐓New birds - the #1 risk factor 🐀Wild birds & rodents - carry diseases in droppings 🙂YOU - clothes, shoes, hands, equipment Essential Practices for Backyard Flocks: QUARANTINE New Birds: 🗓️Isolate newcomers 30 days minimum 🚪Separate housing (not just separate pen!) 🤧Observe for illness signs 🐔Care for established flock FIRST, new birds last CONTROL Wild Bird & Rodent Access: 🗑️Secure feed in rodent-proof containers 🧹Clean up spilled feed daily 🐔Cover outdoor runs if possible 🐀Fix gaps where rodents enter LIMIT HUMAN TRAFFIC: 🥾Dedicate shoes/boots for coop only 🧼Wash hands before AND after flock care 🐣Don't visit other flocks then come home to yours 🧽Clean equipment between flocks MONITOR Daily: 🤧Watch for respiratory signs, lethargy, decreased appetite 🐔Early detection = better outcomes Why It Matters: Diseases like Marek's, Mycoplasma, and Coccidiosis spread easily. Once established in your environment, they're nearly impossible to eliminate. Your turn: ❓What's your chicken shoe game? Dedicated boots, Crocs, or "these old sneakers that are basically ruined anyway"? 👟 ❓Which part of biosecurity are you most consistent with for your flock?

Hi Everyone, Happy Wednesday! So I have our first course ready on Brooding Basics and Chick Health. Would you all prefer me to (A) do it live and record it to post (this will be done over few days in a row next week) or would you rather I (B) prerecorded it and posted it this week and then did a live Q&A another day? Or if you have another preference, please let me know! (C)