A long vent... I don't want to do this anymore...

[astylishgirl]

I am so sorry that you are feeling discouraged. That is such a bad feeling. I have a feeling that your successes are going to make you feel a lot better... even if it is only one this time. And then next time... it will be so much better.

Hugs to you.

 

[IggiMom]

Walkswithdogs--that was a very thoughtful post. Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[tryingtohaveitall]

(hugs) Sorry to hear about the losses. I'm sure it's tough. I'm waiting on my first hatch also, so I will probably be going through the same thing in a few days.

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
I do have some ideas.. When I read of how many chicks have their guts hanging out,, I am inclined to believe that there is way too much "helping" the chicks out of their shells.. You HAVE to understand, those chick HAVE to struggle.. that is what makes them strong.. and even though their head is free, or almost free, they are still absorbing the yolk.. I have had geese take four days to hatch, after pipping. Not uncommon..

and yes, stuff just happens....

birds have been hatching for millions of years without our help.
just let them do their thing..

 

[walkswithdog]

I've had them kick out early on their own and have an unabsorbed yolk. Some will.

And having actual intestines hanging out is a function of malformation, a form of herniation and extrusion, not being helped. Like wry neck or blindness or anything else that happens genetically or during incubation.

Now if you help it out, and the yolk is unabsorbed then yep that's human error. But that's not always why.

I've had three manage to kick free while the yolk was unabsorbed - named the most recent Rolf (Bernerschke sp) for the kicker.

And I've found them that way in hen's nests - whether that's from hatching or crushing I don't know.

But to suggest it's all from "helping" isn't correct.

And yes, I've had chicks take two to three days even from pip to kicking themselves free and some folks could use some more patience in that regard.

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
go back and read my post.. I never said "always.." and I did say that things do happen.. and I never said that I did not ever help, either.. but the times I helped were not always good and the guts did hang out and the yolk did not get absorbed.. I still will bet that OP did "help" whether they will admit it or not.. don't pick an argument with me.. that is not what I am here for.. yes, there is always a twist to every rule.. and I have had strage things happen, but it is not the norm..

 

[rooster0209]

I'm sorry you have had troubles. Incubating eggs is (almost) horrible. I did three batches last year and my success rate was awful. Add insult to injury, after getting 4 keets from a full bator, momma guinea hatches 25 with only 2 eggs broke open/infertile.

I wasnt going to try it again, but DH kept urging me "You already purchased the bator/turner...do it!) So I put 21 eggs in and have been recording the temps/humidity, postion in turner & progress. Seeing if any, what errors I can fix for next time. And I am keeping my nosy butt out of the bator and leaving them alone, except to add water or candle.

 

[AnniesEggFarm]

I will clarify... I helped WAY TO MUCH!!! I know this now!... I agree with jvls1942 for the most part... All the ones that did it on their own are doing fine, even the two, that my older cochin, who broke out of her jail & went for the brooder, & tried to do brain surgery on

aren't doing that bad.....

My problems are the following (I think

)
1. Temp too high, they starting pipping 3-4 days early
2. TOO MANY eggs in bator for a first timer

3. I have NO PATIENCE, not one single one

4. I do not listen

, I opened the bator....

5. I am a veterinary nurse, (ER for that matter), it's in my blood to step in

, ohhhh you need help out of that eggie let me help you I am a professional, I wear scrubs, I have letters behind my name.....

.......

Too many eggs + First timer + CVT/LVT + High Temps + No patience + Don't listen to the wise ones

= HORRIBLE HATCHING EXPERIENCE

with no one to blame but me

Things I have learned for next time....

1. Lets only do this many eggs 12 X

2. Listen to my elders

even at 30 I still have lots to learn!
3. egg turner.... cough up the $40.00

4. Put the candler DOWN

5. Day 18 close up bator, go out of town for 5 days

6. Follow the book, don't try to write a new one

7. Take the lessons I have learned so far and be more prepared...
8. Keep Fatal + on hand, trying to cull a chick sucks, I have to many fowl that may need a quick send up to heaven, I have access to fatal +, Simplify my life, keep some around!

Or....

Invest in some more cochins and silkies, they are better at it than I am....

Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement, I will try again...

Jenn

 

[walkswithdog]

Jenn, if you don't have fatal plus, and I don't any more. What does work is vinegar and baking soda. There's a thread around here somewhere - it's basic carbon monoxide/dioxide (no sleep all confuddled) overdose. They go to sleep and die. I've found it useful with the little ones. Older chickens I can handle a lot more easily the old ways.

I put the chick in a shallow container, pour baking soda in the base of a larger - air tight container, rest the chick and shallow container on one side and add vinegar and seal. Takes little time, if the chick can't see out - I use a bit of black linen to line the shallow container. They generally go out quickly with little struggle or fuss - pretty much like gassing one down.

You'll do fine, the only way to learn is to try and trying means making mistakes.

 

[Southernbelle]

With everything you've learned in Round 1 - I'll bet Round 2 will be amazing! I love the "go out-of-town from day 18-22"