Egg Status Update and Answers to Questions

Egg status:<br><br>The eggs are due to arrive on Saturday. I just got an email from the hatchery this morning confirming the shipment was going out today, so that means by tomorrow morning they should be with the third party shipper and arriving on Saturday. The weather is looking good with some clouds but otherwise clear skies, so the eggs should be in good condition when they arrive.<br><br>Answers to questions:<br><br>Q: Is this the first time you’re going to hatch eggs?<br>A: Yes. It is almost like my first time at the rodeo. I’ve done a lot of research and thought I was ready but then I got to the hobby store and saw all the options for incubators and was like oh shit, I have no idea what I am doing. The guy at the store was very helpful and I did have a fair idea of what I wanted but, yeah, hopefully I don’t fuck anything up because I think I’m ready but I’m not really ready. This was also part of the reason I ordered a dozen eggs; I know it is hard to hatch them, so I wanted to increase my chances.<br><br>Q: How long do you have to incubate for?<br>A: Twenty-one days. I think I said that previously, but I can’t remember.<br><br>Q: What are you going to do if the chicks get here and you’re still living at your parents?<br>A: The chicks are going to be fine. They don’t arrive until the end of the month, so I think the place I am moving into will be ready and I will hopefully be moved in by then. I will be able to keep them in the bathtub for a week or two, and they won’t need to move outside until they are about six weeks old. If the place is still not ready by then, fucked if I know.<br><br>Q: Are you close with your parents?<br>A: Yes. I love them and I am grateful for their support but I need to get out. That is why I am moving in with my SO because he and I both want to move away from our families. It is just the way it goes with family, and they are great, but I know exactly what you mean by this question.<br><br>Q: Do you keep any other animals?<br>A: Yeah. I have three cats, a dog, two rats, two fish, and just adopted a new puppy. I love animals and am an animal lover, and that’s also why I’m doing this. I don’t want to support factory farms that keep the chickens in bad conditions, so I’m just doing this for the eggs. There won’t be enough to sell, and I don’t think I would even be allowed to do that in my neighborhood, but that’s okay because I love collecting eggs from the coop and bringing them inside. There’s just something special about that that I don’t want to give up. I also like the idea of having backyard chickens because it is like self-sufficiency or whatever, being able to provide for yourself. Plus, I love the chicks, and it is a fun experience that I hopefully won’t have to go through for a few years.<br><br>Q: Are you doing this to memorialize your recently deceased pet chicken?<br>A: I’m sorry to disappoint, but no. I was just excited about getting new chicks and wanted to use the post to ask for advice on how to keep them alive. I already have two chickens, and they are doing great, so I’m hoping to increase the flock because they are fun and cute, not because I want to memorialize any of my chickens. Also, none of my chickens have died because I’m a good mother but also because they are still pretty young and haven’t had any health issues. Just a good combination of dumb luck, a good environment, and a lot of love and tender care.<br><br>Q: What breeds did you choose and why?<br>A: I chose Buff Orpingtons, Barred Rocks, and Gold Leghorns. All of these breeds are prolific layers, get along well with people, and you can tell them apart by their coloring. I just think that would be a lot of fun and a good backyard flock. The reason I know they get along well with you people is because I already have two, and they are very sweet and love to be petted, so I just thought that would be a great backyard flock. Also, they are cold-hardy breeds, and I live on the east coast, so I figured that would be best, although the climate is warming up pretty fast. Fresh eggs and cute chicken butts can’t be beat!<br><br>Thanks for the advice everyone, and I will keep you posted on everyone’s progress.