It looks a bit smaller than the others? I have what appears t be a 'runt' in my meats, and it keeps having problems, but three weeks old, and apart from being about half the size of the others, and struggling to open one of it's eyes, it seems happy enough and eating plenty etc.
Some chickens are bred to grow a bit slower to avoid this, but it is perfectly normal, and it'll definitely save some time plucking if you are doing it by hand!
I bought five chicks, but didn't notice when I got them that one chick had a scabby bit on it's back. That chick is not growing as fast as the others which are now nearly double it's size at two weeks old (smaller chick still bigger than my non meat chicks born a few days after these). The...
Chicks don't appear to like cold hands, so try warming your hands before handling them.
In respect of mercy killing if a chicken is ill, sometimes its the best thing to do. I've only ever had to do one mercy killing, when a fox badly injured one of mine. For me, I had undertaken a course on...
I'm new to the meaties too, and I have looked through that link which is really helpful, but as Sheaviance asks, how long do they need heat for as they are getting big a lot faster than my 'normal' chicks, who clearly still need heat.
The temperature may have caused a delay in them hatching. My incubater was run at a lower temperature and my first chick pipped on day 21, the next two on day 22 and the last one pipped on day 23 - each of them hatched out the day after pipping.
Its up to you, you could give em one last turn tonight if you want. But equally if you leave them be at this stage, they will be just fine!
Good luck for Monday!
I made sure mine were dry before moving them (half a day to one day), but they didnt fully fluff until they had been in the brooder for a bit longer after that.
With the bloody pip, is there a definte hole out. The reason I ask this is because the bloody pip means it has missed the air sack. This means it needs air. If there is a definite hole out then thats great just leave it be, but the blood might congeal across any hole sealing it up and meaning...
Positive power vibes.....positive power vibes....
The excitement never wears off! But, you are probably in for a long wait before the little one gets out so best advice is go to bed! It'll be so much more exciting by morning.
Yep, he's doing really well now, standing on his own two feed and now comes running to the front of the brooder whenever he sees me coming - such a cutie - really hoping its a girl!
well, this morning when I went in. he was sleeping and tried to get up, but was on his side, so legs were everywhere, however, although he still seems to be happier on his 'elbows'.......
he is trying to use his legs properly.
I don't know what colour the others were, as someone found them, passed the survivor onto someone who takes in waifs and strays who contacted me.
This is really helpful. There arnt strips on the back, although it does have a slightly browner looking gold colour over the whole of it's back...
There are tons of rules about shipping eggs. Within EU there is information about it here if you can make sense of it. I did wonder how it would work if you collected them yourself from say UK as technically those rules wouldn't apply as you aren't shipping them...
Well the bleeding stopped and the bulge disappeared. The chick seems to doing ok except that it doesn't seem to be able to stand properly, it's sort of crawling like it has no strength in it's ankles. I think this might be called walking on it's elbows? I've seen advice for splayed legs, but...