This year we have decided to try something different. Filbert and I have noticed (while making breakfast...and sometimes dinner) most of our hen's eggs are fertilized, but not one of the hens is broody. An incubator is not in the budget right now, so Filbert did some research and found "Matilda the Electric Hen:" a home-made incubator that cost us $13 to make.
The boys and Filbert made Matilda, and it is now stocked with a variety of eggs. The Nuts share the duty of turning the eggs every day. "X" on one side of the eggs helps up keep track of the turns. The first batch is due on the 28th (a day after Filbert's birthday).
For those of you who are dying to try out Matilda, you can find her plans here:
http://www.afn.org/~poultry/matilda.htm
P.S. Mom and Dad, thanks for not naming me "Matilda."
That's awesome. We used to go to a pond near our house and collect duck eggs and hatch them. Such a great thing for kids to see and be part of. Your title sparked my interest as I am reading the book "Matilda" to my kids right now. Thoguht it might be related, but no, far from it :) Really cool though.
ReplyDeleteWow! That is soooo cool! Great photos!
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