2023/2024 Emu Hatch-A-Long

[Strawberry74]

I’m incubating at 97.5 but the bottom of my incubator sits at about 97. I’m so excited but anxious.

I hear ya!! It's nerve wracking especially for the first timers like us. Maybe with more experience their is less anxiety!

 

[Strawberry74]

Baby number two made its way into the world! The first baby promptly went over and started cuddling!

 

[briefvisit]

Chicks like to get about together right up until about 16 months, when they switch to adult behaviors and vocalisations, and begin beating each other up.

https://imgur.com/XHGQKOx

Here is Toosh Toosh with his clutch of five. This getting-about-in-a-gaggle is standard.

[Two of these chicks, now young adult females, were here at dawn.]

SE

 

[Strawberry74]

Baby #3 and final for this hatch externally pipped last night about 8:30. Not much progress since then. Breathing and whistling a little and chomping is beak a little like chickens do when absorbing yolk. The others pipped and were out in under 12 hours. Any need for concern at this point? Baby seems to try and push really hard when I whistle to it but the shell isn't budging.

@Pyxis Thoughts? I am trying to be hands off lol!

 

[Strawberry74]

Baby #3 is out! Just under 24 hours.

 

[Pyxis]

Thanks! You are getting close! What temperature are you incubating at?

One of the other eggs pipped overnight and the 3rd is still wiggling. @Pyxis have you ever assisted with the external pipping process? I know they say not too in the things you read online, but was wondering if you ever had made a safety hole?

Baby #3 and final for this hatch externally pipped last night about 8:30. Not much progress since then. Breathing and whistling a little and chomping is beak a little like chickens do when absorbing yolk. The others pipped and were out in under 12 hours. Any need for concern at this point? Baby seems to try and push really hard when I whistle to it but the shell isn't budging.

@Pyxis Thoughts? I am trying to be hands off lol!

As you found out, sometimes they just take longer

I have done safety holes before for ones that I was really anxious about - shipped eggs - and it really hasn't hurt.

There have been three that I tried to fully assist. They all died. I got them out of the shell, but they all passed or had to be put down. One was a white chick - it had no eyes, and never could get to its feet and wouldn't eat or drink. That one I put down on day five. One was a standard, extremely sticky - something was wrong with the egg, I think. It died on its own on day 4. And one more white that seemed fine but had a huge belly and probably had a retained yolk sac. That one I even tried tube feeding, but it still didn't make it.

So I've come to learn that if they can't get out on their own, they probably can't survive.

 

[Strawberry74]

Thanks! Makes sense. I just wasn't sure if I should start picking away small pieces of the shell to help make it easier to push out. Glad I didn't need to! Next round due in about 48 days!

Now you know what we need....a "one stop" article, much like the one Pyxis wrote about incubating emu eggs, but on raising chicks! Feed, vitamins, grit, heat, toys, etc. It's so hard to navigate all the resources on here and on the internet. Does anyone know of a good one stop resource like that?

Right now they aren't interested in eating, but I have ratite starter and also offering hard boiled egg yolk and vitamin water, but not much interest yet. 1st baby is just 3 days old today. Not sure when to offer anything else or if they need grit? Will I need to "show" them how to eat or do they just get it?

I have a little brooder set up with sparkely things and marbles in their water to attract them.

What else do I need to know or do?

 

[Pyxis]

Now you know what we need....a "one stop" article, much like the one Pyxis wrote about incubating emu eggs, but on raising chicks!

I have one in the works, lol.

Right now they aren't interested in eating, but I have ratite starter and also offering hard boiled egg yolk and vitamin water, but not much interest yet. 1st baby is just 3 days old today. Not sure when to offer anything else or if they need grit? Will I need to "show" them how to eat or do they just get it?

Offer them greens! The very first thing I usually get my chicks to eat is collard greens. They are attracted to the color because it's more like a natural food source for them. They will usually start taking greens on day two or three. Then I put some greens in both the food dish and the water dish to get them interested and pecking at it, and that teaches them about their water and their food pellets.

 

[Pyxis]

What else do I need to know or do?

Be careful with those stones. Emus can swallow things MUCH bigger than you think. My adults can eat an apple whole with no problems. Your chicks might be able to get one of those down, and then they might get impacted.

 

[Strawberry74]

I have one in the works, lol.




Offer them greens! The very first thing I usually get my chicks to eat is collard greens. They are attracted to the color because it's more like a natural food source for them. They will usually start taking greens on day two or three. Then I put some greens in both the food dish and the water dish to get them interested and pecking at it, and that teaches them about their water and their food pellets.

Ok I will get some greens tomorrow! Just chop it really small? Do they need chick grit like chickens do when they have feed other than pellets?

Good to know on the stones. I got the flat ones the size of a nickel or so thinking they'd be ok, but I will remove them! I am not risking it!

Can't wait for your raising emu chicks guide! You're incubating one is so helpful and I read it alot! Thank you for taking the time to put it together.

How are your eggs? What day are you on?