A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[Flashpoint]

Good morning!

Slowly trying to work my way back in. Right now in the middle of a hatch and things are progressing in one way, but not in another. However, glad to see you guys are still here

 

[Flashpoint]

Alrighty, let me see if I can explain my current situation. I wanted midget white turkeys, found some eggs that had to be shipped. let them rest for 24 hours, put in egg turner big side up. Out of the 8, 2 were not fertile and 2 started - then stopped. Disposed of those. Anyway, have 4 midget white eggs and approx 15 chicken eggs in incubator, with the chicken eggs being put in a week later than turkeys.

One of those turkey eggs pipped yesterday morning and as of this afternoon, had made no more progress. Membrane appeared to be drying out, but some sticky goo on turkey chick beak. Got that off, wrapped in a damp paper towel and now waiting. No one else has pipped and really not supposed to unless they start tonight with main hatch day (allegedly) tomorrow. I have hatched chicken chicks for years with little problem.

I did start a second incubator in case I need to remove the early bird (haha) without disturbing the rest of the gang. Now working on about 30 hours with little progress. I figure I might have to do some eggshell chipping. Chick doesn't appear wet or shrink wrapped at this point, but hey - maybe a half inch pip hole isn't enough to tell.

Any advice would be appreciated. Seriously appreciated.

To top all that off, and going back the last month or so when I decided to try the midget whites, I had gotten rid of half my flock (needed the room), figuring I was going to play turkey momma for awhile. I have a sister who decided that I needed more chicks to raise up for the TR rooster she claims. And, she ordered chicks and had them delivered to me. She warned me right as I had set the first batch. Ok, so I am a glutten for punishment, too.

So now I have a possible 1-4 turkey chicks headed my way and up to a dozen or so chicken chicks. However, I also have a trio (with 1 rooster) each of Speckled Sussex, Dominque, Black Jersy Giant, Light Brahma and 3 unsexed Turkens. Plus, there are 2 California Whites, 2 Columbian Wyandottes, and 1 Buff Orpington - all supposed to be hens.

So I am looking at approximately 40-45 chicks that are going to be approximately in 2 halves of 2 weeks difference in ages, counting turkeys and if all hatch.

My kitchen table is now brooder city. It's a good thing I live by myself.

 

[memphis]

Glad your back Flashpoint! I know nothing about hatching....hope the baby will be ok.

Rjohns....we got soaked yesterday. Rather wild storms for a bit. Still raining now. Good luck over there.

 

[Molpet]

millennials
mama turkey hatched hers first around 5-2, her daughter nested in that end of the coop by her and hatched around 5-13. Daughter leaves the kids with her mom and galivants around the poultry yard for hours, Roosts at night. When mama goes out daughter does too and does let them huddle under her. But mama is doing most of the work.
Another daughter hatched around 5-2 and is locked in a different coop. She has 2 of mama's because mama had one get lost and died out of the coop. She was trying to get them to roost last night. 1 made it up there and the others were huddled on the ground under her. At dusk, I went in and pet her so she jumped down... first time I ever touched her

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Broody drama my coop too. Princess and Lil were the ones that wanted babies so I have them a few to raise. Pebbles went broody simply because she heard the babies and joined the girls. It's been about two weeks now. Pebbles is full on mom now and Chases everyone else away. Lil and Princess get to sleep in the nest with Pebbles and the babies now but most of the day, Princess is just wandering with the flock and Lil Sheena her day standing outside the coop door, chasing the all the penciled ones away.

 

[rjohns39]

Two of my three snakes decided they were done yesterday. Went from vicious to "pet me" in just a blink of an eye.

 

[Bantambird]

It didn't snow in Billings, but 2 hours north where my parent's ranch is it snowed and stuck. I'm in the banana belt right here, but this is why we don't get to plant tomatoes peppers basil and other tenders until very end of May/ beginning of June. Poor Annabelle is hanging in there, she got an Epsom salt poultice last night, then a mineral oil enema for that stupid egg that still won't come out...
On the matter of hatching, I've learned not to help much. Turkeys that get a lot of hatching assistance tend to just die anyways, making your loving work moot. Poults are more delicate than chicks in that way, but a strong poult that hatches on its own will usually survive. There's certainly the sad joke that poults, once hatched, are pretty good at finding unique ways to kill themselves, up until 2 months old when they become durable.

 

[CindyinSD]

@Bantambird I remember reading somewhere that some folks deal with stubborn stuck eggs by breaking them and picking out as many bits as possible then letting the rest pass. Do your own research of course, but it’s a thought...

 

[Flashpoint]

@Bantambird I had to do that with a silkie bantam that had an egg break inside of her. Had to fish as much out as I could, flush her out, swims in the little pond. Never laid another egg, but raised a bunch of incubator chicks.

 

[Flashpoint]

Well, it seems my turkey chick isn't going to make it. (sigh) It was going to die anyway unless I did something, so did the best I could from what I read on here and other sites on how to handle a sticky chick. Even gave him baths and got most of the stuff off - but then again, this one started the hatch process 3 days before "hatch day", so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

I know they are much more fragile, but there is always hope if the baby is breathing. Just not going to pan out this time.

I certainly am concerned now though about the "sticky chick" part with all the other eggs. I have done everything "by the book", but I am a tad (as in SUPER) Paranoid now. :O

Brooder is set up, 2nd incubator is setup (for emergencies), all temps and humidity levels are where they are supposed to be. Now I get to ----- Wait. In situ with my paranoia.

Turkey hatch day is the 19-20th. Chicken hatch date is 20th - 21st (more or less since they can and do come early or later) So far I have seen nothing today.

On a more positive note - the hatchery chicks are all doing great.

Alrighty, let me see if I can explain my current situation. I wanted midget white turkeys, found some eggs that had to be shipped. let them rest for 24 hours, put in egg turner big side up. Out of the 8, 2 were not fertile and 2 started - then stopped. Disposed of those. Anyway, have 4 midget white eggs and approx 15 chicken eggs in incubator, with the chicken eggs being put in a week later than turkeys.

One of those turkey eggs pipped yesterday morning and as of this afternoon, had made no more progress. Membrane appeared to be drying out, but some sticky goo on turkey chick beak. Got that off, wrapped in a damp paper towel and now waiting. No one else has pipped and really not supposed to unless they start tonight with main hatch day (allegedly) tomorrow. I have hatched chicken chicks for years with little problem.

I did start a second incubator in case I need to remove the early bird (haha) without disturbing the rest of the gang. Now working on about 30 hours with little progress. I figure I might have to do some eggshell chipping. Chick doesn't appear wet or shrink wrapped at this point, but hey - maybe a half inch pip hole isn't enough to tell.

Any advice would be appreciated. Seriously appreciated.

To top all that off, and going back the last month or so when I decided to try the midget whites, I had gotten rid of half my flock (needed the room), figuring I was going to play turkey momma for awhile. I have a sister who decided that I needed more chicks to raise up for the TR rooster she claims. And, she ordered chicks and had them delivered to me. She warned me right as I had set the first batch. Ok, so I am a glutten for punishment, too.

So now I have a possible 1-4 turkey chicks headed my way and up to a dozen or so chicken chicks. However, I also have a trio (with 1 rooster) each of Speckled Sussex, Dominque, Black Jersy Giant, Light Brahma and 3 unsexed Turkens. Plus, there are 2 California Whites, 2 Columbian Wyandottes, and 1 Buff Orpington - all supposed to be hens.

So I am looking at approximately 40-45 chicks that are going to be approximately in 2 halves of 2 weeks difference in ages, counting turkeys and if all hatch.

My kitchen table is now brooder city. It's a good thing I live by myself.