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Bee, Hootie is looker. So sorry for the two that died, but I don't think you should beat yourself up too much (a little maybe, because it proves you have a big heart and shows your appreciation for the gift of life.). I too am uncomfortable when people are callous about death.
Remember, whether it's a hatchery, a broody, an incubator, or a heating pad and a cardboard box, the chicks that are suited to survive that method will, and the success of that method will go up with future generations. Perfection is a tough standard to meet, and I'm not sure if it's even possible on earth, but you got closer than many of us do. Not every hen is a broody and not every broody is a great mama. Even that $5000 incubator doesn't cluck and assist hatching!
I learned a lot here and appreciate you sharing your experiences.
Words of wisdom, to be sure. So many of you are right....success often stems from many failures. This has been some kind of learning curve for me and I'm glad others came away with something as well.
I do feel it deserves one more try with these excellent eggs and I'm trying to get my mind around that effort and if I can handle the mistakes of dead chicks. I've killed many a chicken in my life and all were with the express intent to kill and for a good reason, but never did I kill one without reason.....I guess these two chicks died for a reason but it's hard to see it when the sadness is this fresh. Hard to have seen their potential and how~for the lack of knowledge~I missed out on it....but then, as you all have pointed out, sometimes things have to die in the process of learning how to keep others alive. It's just a hard pill to swallow and it's getting stuck in my throat a little today.
On a happy note, Hootie LOVES his heating pad "mama" and is as quiet as a mouse under there. Never heard a chick so quiet and content. A little bit ago I clucked at him and he came out from under the pad looking for his mom and peeped his head off, so I had to tuck him back under and cluck at him to stay. He stayed! He's had sips of water and is not interested in food yet while living off his yolk, so the warmth and comfort of the heating pad seems to be all he needs.
Lazy Gardener, how about this...would it be large enough? It heats up to 102* and if one were to build a wire frame for it so the chicks could go under it, I think it would be ideal...and also cheaper than what we are paying for the heating pads!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000ICGJZK/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used
Caution: Another member reports this pad only heats if there is a weight applied.
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