Against the odds hatching thread (with pictures and questions)

[chalet girl]

Following this thread....

I live in Belgium so Barnevelders are easy to source here and they really are beauties! I'm debating on whether or not to let my broody Orpington sit on some eggs. Main thing holding me back is the rooster concern so I was really happy to see the comments here. I only need a couple more chickens and I've got one rooster already. I'd give away extra birds hens and roosters.

That you've been raised on a farm and have experience in the 'process' is a great start! I've no doubt I could do the 'first step' but everything that comes after is a really messy business.

Good luck! I admire what it takes to hatch with an incubator....having a hen do the work for me is the only way I could do it I think

 

[K0k0shka]

Following this thread....

I live in Belgium so Barnevelders are easy to source here and they really are beauties! I'm debating on whether or not to let my broody Orpington sit on some eggs. Main thing holding me back is the rooster concern so I was really happy to see the comments here. I only need a couple more chickens and I've got one rooster already. I'd give away extra birds hens and roosters.

That you've been raised on a farm and have experience in the 'process' is a great start! I've no doubt I could do the 'first step' but everything that comes after is a really messy business.

Good luck! I admire what it takes to hatch with an incubator....having a hen do the work for me is the only way I could do it I think

Thank you! I fell in love with Barnevelders the moment I saw them. And yeah, the incubator is a lot of work... I’ll go with a broody next time. Hopefully one of these fuzz balls will make a good mom next year

 

[K0k0shka]

5 fluffy butts are in the brooder!

Here’s one of the Barnevelders. This one really likes eating sand

One of the green local eggs is zipping!

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

I just woke up and found that two other chicks have climbed into the basket with the chick with the problem, but I don’t see any pecking and all three look good. I took that one chick out to check on it, and the red thing is still there, just looking drier... is that good?

Meanwhile I now have a total of 8 hatched chicks - the 2 in the brooder, and 6 still in the incubator that hatched overnight!!! All in all, that’s 4 Lemon Cuckoo Orpingtons, 3 Barnevelders and 1 Partridge Orpington.

There are a couple more pips, and, finally, one of the local eggs has pipped, too!

I would say so. I think it will continue to dry up then heal like a scab would. As long as it doesn't get larger, rupture or have other chicks pecking at it I think you're ok. I haven't had one exactly like this but when I have the occasional navel issue this is what I like to see happen (dry up then shrink down).

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

What an amazing hatch this has been to follow along with. And it isn't even done yet! I hope you're able to enjoy the rest of the hatch day with your family and the kids get to see plenty more chick zipping.

 

[K0k0shka]

I would say so. I think it will continue to dry up then heal like a scab would. As long as it doesn't get larger, rupture or have other chicks pecking at it I think you're ok. I haven't had one exactly like this but when I have the occasional navel issue this is what I like to see happen (dry up then shrink down).

That’s a relief, thanks! I’ll check on it again later. It’s very lively and active, but I’m still keeping it confined to its basket, just in case.

 

[K0k0shka]

What an amazing hatch this has been to follow along with. And it isn't even done yet! I hope you're able to enjoy the rest of the hatch day with your family and the kids get to see plenty more chick zipping.

Thank you! It has been amazing to watch and experience. I didn’t think many would hatch, if any at all, but I already have 10 - 9 from my shipped eggs and 1 from the local farm, and more on the way. The kids are loving the experience, too!

 

[K0k0shka]

My pretty little sand eater:

Everybody else got the idea, sand eater is off to the side pulling the paper towel back to look for more sand:

Needs a lot of education, but it’s finally getting the point:

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

There's one in every group isn't there? Glad he's found the feeder and slowly figuring things out.

I had a similar experience with my Easter hatch a long and duck eggs. We only wanted a couple of ducks. I've always read how much harder they are to hatch than chickens. I bought some locally that were sold as table eggs. I explained that I wanted to hatch and verified they had drakes. 7/12 eggs were fertile. Great number to have 2-3 hatch for my first time incubating duck eggs. On Easter all 7 hatched! The best laid plans... It's ok though. Much easier problem to sort than scrambling around looking for buddy birds (because you hatched a singleton).

 

[K0k0shka]

There's one in every group isn't there? Glad he's found the feeder and slowly figuring things out.

I had a similar experience with my Easter hatch a long and duck eggs. We only wanted a couple of ducks. I've always read how much harder they are to hatch than chickens. I bought some locally that were sold as table eggs. I explained that I wanted to hatch and verified they had drakes. 7/12 eggs were fertile. Great number to have 2-3 hatch for my first time incubating duck eggs. On Easter all 7 hatched! The best laid plans... It's ok though. Much easier problem to sort than scrambling around looking for buddy birds (because you hatched a singleton).


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Aww they are adorable! And yes, that’s a problem I don’t mind having. The incubator owner has already expressed interest in any extras, as she hadn’t heard of my varieties and fell in love with the pictures of them grown. Roosters we’ll still have to eat, but at least any surplus hens will have a chance to escape the pot.