Am I the only one who's a Nervous Wreck?!?!***Crazy Dream Added***

[ChrystalGail]

Anyone else hatching for the first time and hovering over their incubator 24/7? I check the temp about 40 times a day and can't resist the desire to candle them when it gets dark and see how they all are doing. I'm especially excited and nervous since I lost 8 of my 13 chicks this morning to an unknown illness or maybe the heat. I hope they make it. I have 40 mutt eggs 6 of which are bantams (I've never had them before). I think one died, but after opening an egg I thought was dead and finding a live chick in it, I'm not going to take it out until I'm sure. Anyway, I just wanted to see if there are any other new hatchers out there like me.

 

[speckledhen]

Chrystal, the first hatch I had took three days of little food and no sleep for me, LOL. I was a hoverer, wanting to catch problems if they occurred as soon as possible. My first one hatched an entire day early and I had one hatch a day late, so, yep, three days. I got dizzy and had to go to bed the afternoon of Day Three. Take care of yourself; I know you dont want to miss a thing, though.

 

[ChrystalGail]

I'm only on day 9! I can't even imagine how I will be when the first one begins to hatch... My poor kids get squealed at everytime they come near the incubator and all they want to do is see what Mommy is occupying her time with. HeHe... I feel like a protective mother hen myself!

 

[rufus]

Chrystal, you lost eight hens in one day? What were the symptoms? I know it has been hot, but it is like that every year here. We used to have lawn sprinklers that we would turn on in the chicken yards a couple of times a day. That used to help. That, and lots of shade.

Google "Exotic Newcastle Disease" and make sure it wasn't that. It will wipe out a flock in no time.

Sorry about the loss.

Rufus

 

[MissPrissy]

I received welsummer eggs from mothergoose today. They are resting on the counter now and will go in the 'bator in the morning. We are very excited. Of 20 eggs 15 made it safe and sound.

 

[ChrystalGail]

Rufus, they didn't have any symptoms. Were fine the previous day and dead in the morning! It kinda looks like they died where they were roosting for the night. They had pleanty of fresh water and food, so I'm not sure what happened. The remaining five are not showing any symptoms and seem to be healthy and active. Keep your fingers crossed for me that they fare well through the night!

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

It's always nerve-wracking and awesome hatching eggs --- after you have had a few hatches, you won't be quite so anxious .
But I'm still awe struck when I watch those little wet bodies come bursting out of an egg I tended and worried over for 21 days.

Oh No! It's so sad to open a box w/ broken eggs.
The PO must have taken 'special care' with them --- extra gorillas were on duty?
How were they wrapped / packaged? Was the box damaged?

Lisa

 

[MissPrissy]

Quote:
They were very well packed. It looks like the box was dropped on one corner. -More than once

 

[ChrystalGail]

I thought about ordering some, but since this is my first go I thought I would stick to local ones and see how they do. Plus, I was able to find some nice people who were willing to give them to me for free! That is always a bonus! Good luck with your hatch Miss Prissy & keep me posted!

 

[speckledhen]

Well, I'm going to have to hatch vicariously through some nice people who are going to be incubating eggs from my Suede's ladies in the next few weeks. That is, if the Postal Gorillas will be kind. I swear they have some working in the distribution centers! Maybe they'll be out to lunch when my packages come through.