12th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-Along

[LadiesAndJane]

If you do try, this is what I would do. Place the chicks under her wings after dark when she's settled for the night, try not to disturb her but check to make sure she's keeping them warm and accepting them before you go to bed. Then get up before the sun in the morning, before your hens wake up, so you can see how she's responding to them. At this point you will know if she's accepting them or not. Some hens just walk away and your only issue would be warming them up. I take extra precautions because some hens will attack them.

Thanks! I am a little hesistant, as this one chick, if it does hatch, is a significant investment and I would not want to risk it getting hurt or killed.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Thanks! I am a little hesistant, as this one chick, if it does hatch, is a significant investment and I would not want to risk it getting hurt or killed.

I feel the same about my chicks that just hatched! It's one of the most expensive purchases I've made for shipped eggs and the hen that looks like she's broody this morning is one of my younger "less than sweet" chickens, lol!

 

[Josip]

The only thing different was that I had the incubator on the floor for the first half. Seems like it affected the temperature somehow

Mine also was on floor but i put Kitchen pad under so od you put on floor next time just put pad under

 

[ronott1]

Groupies! The big black ball of fuzz is 5 BCM babies, and the 3 colorful ones are from my EE and a BSL x (BS x (BA x SH)) cross.. Amazingly 3 babies from the same parents are as unlike as milk and beer. Still waiting on the last 4 eggs to hatch.
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They are very cute!

My first pipped egg greeted me upon waking... as a newly hatched naked neck silkie!! (Showgirl) whatever you wanna call them. I was very surprised, and my kids are going get a huge kick out of seeing a naked neck chickie!

Out of the remaining 10 eggs, we have 6 pips. This is day 20 for me!!
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Poor tired out thing!

Happy Easter Everyone! View attachment 2598676

My hatch is officially complete!
First hatch 3/26/21-3/27/21: 100% (started with 22, No infertile, No quitters, 22 live chicks)
- Polkies (Silkie/Polish Crosses)
- 9 eggs were unwashed and collected within 2 weeks
- 13 eggs were washed and stored in the refrigerator for about 3-4 weeks. (she lost her hen so we figured what’s the harm in trying!)

Second hatch 4/3/21: 71% SHIPPED EGGS (started with 48, 3 infertile, 13 quitters, 32 live chicks)
- Blue/Black Silver Birchen & Wheaten Marans from Gypsy Hen (1 infertile, 5 early quitters, 1 late quitter that was dwarfed, short pudgy little toes, legs, beak, and neck)
- Lavender & White Ameraucanas, & a few Olive Eggers from Gypsy Hen (2 infertile, 7 early quitters)
- 50 eggs received, 2 were cracked so I didn’t set them. Set 48 eggs.

Overall I'm really happy with my hatches! Good luck to those that are still hatching and I hope everyone has a wonderful day! View attachment 2598677

Brooder of fluff.
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Congratulations on a nice hatch!

Sadly the crushed eggs didn’t hatch, even with the wax.
But not a total loss. Meet Penguin! I have no idea what she/he is, but he/she is neat looking. (I think its one of the EE Roosters and not the Ayam Cemani)
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That is a very nice looking hatchling!

I need advice!! So i have 10 eggs in incubator .. today is day 18 and .. one of my hens become broody today ..and funy things is that she is biological mother to 5 eggs in incubator.. can u give her chiks when they hatched or is better to give her eggs now.. i think its better that she lay 2 days and then give her chiks ..what do you thnik? Anyone with experience??

Can belive this happend and i put egggs in incubator just for jer beacuse she is my favorite.. i would love let her be Mother but i dont want more chicks this year

I would let her adopt a couple when they hatch

 

[ronott1]

I have a broody silkie girl as well and I was thinking of placing my one chick due on Saturday, along with the hatchery chicks, due to arrive the same day, under her. She is young, has never hatched chicks, but this is the second time she has been broody and she always shows great interest in my brooder chicks when they are outside.
She seems quite determined. I tried to break her broodiness last time, but it did not work. Should I chance the chicks with her?

Giving her a couple of chicks will break her from being broody. If that is the goal, then give her a couple.

I would not give her all of them since she is a new broody!

 

[Josip]

So last night was disaster again power fail for few hours , Today is day 18 i Candle them and out of 10- 9 looked Like they filled all space one was Like it dies few days ago.. so 9/10 are in lockdown .. this poor eggs traveled from my home to City then I incubate them there 9 days then moved them home( 1 hour driveing home) then power fail.. hoping for miracle

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Giving her a couple of chicks will break her from being broody. If that is the goal, then give her a couple.

I would not give her all of them since she is a new broody!

Thanks! There will only be 3 chicks. I just thought it would be nice for her. I will probably just brood them myself.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

So last night was disaster again power fail for few hours , Today is day 18 i Candle them and out of 10- 9 looked Like they filled all space one was Like it dies few days ago.. so 9/10 are in lockdown .. this poor eggs traveled from my home to City then I incubate them there 9 days then moved them home( 1 hour driveing home) then power fail.. hoping for miracle

Fingers crossed it all works out!

 

[Josip]

Thanks! There will only be 3 chicks. I just thought it would be nice for her. I will probably just brood them myself.

There Will be only few so i cant give her 1 and keep 1 in broodeer

 

[LadiesAndJane]

There Will be only few so i cant give her 1 and keep 1 in broodeer

Chicks do not do well by themselves. One chick with a hen is OK, but difficult when you are brooding them yourself.