Anyone setting eggs May 1st?

[chickenlindz]

2 hatched, 2 more pips and rocking in the last! Let's see if I can go 5 for 5 with this last batch!

 

[CGinJCMO]

The classroom teacher called this morning and 3 of the chicks died - one I wasn't surprised about, but not sure about the other two. Some of the eggs have stopped opening and no cheeping either. She said there's 8 chicks. I keep trying to reassure her that sometimes it happens but I am disappointed that the eggs started early so the kids don't get to see a chick hatch, and that there's such a low number of them hatching. I had one successful hatch (27 out of 37 eggs) this year, then a dismal Easter hatch because of a yolky chick contaminating the eggs and this time another yolky chick (not as extreem but it still goo-ed up a lot of the eggs) may have contaminated the eggs. I figured I'd try washing them off but I may not have cleaned them up soon enough to save the rest of the chicks inside.

Haven't decided if I want to try again just to see if I can't improve my hatch rates even though I think I have enough to continue my flock. Of the first batch, I sold most of them but I kept a few pullets (I'm not counting the cockerels because they will go to freezer camp), of my second batch when I know which of the 12 are pullets, 5 of them are spoken for (so I may be lucky to have a few of my own pullets). Then there's these chicks that I will need to wait to see how many are pullets. I've got 5 reds, 1 EE and 3 BRs that are 2 years old and while the BRs might be able to continue on for another year, the reds are going to burn out soon and they need to be replaced. I have 10 ladies that are a year or less now plus whatever I get this year.

Maybe I'll try again if there's a Independence day hatch a long and maybe I should try hand turning my eggs just for something different. Once I know I am finished incubating, I need to remove my roosters so my girls can have a break. I don't have a pen that they can go to so if they are removed, it is a permanent removal (sold or freezer camp).

CG

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Oh I'm so happy. Happy to see all these beautiful chicks and success. Share in some of the disappointments. Out of 7 eggs 5 were duds. I went on a camping trip with my family this weekend and came home to this beauty this late morning. Her sibling has pipped and maybe starting to zip. The sweet little cheeps are so endearing and Dixie has begun to show her food and give her directions.





Over the weekend Violet kept a close eye on things and left two of her eggs for Dixie.

Here she is inspecting the new black fuzzball.



And our head-nut, Roger is introduced to the new baby. He sat in my son's arms contently watching his newest flock member. I think he will be a good leader to this new one. He had nice soft eyes for the little one. He gave his little warning trill when he first saw the baby...like when a blue bird flies over or a sparrow. Just an instinctual thing, I think when there is something new or not known in his eyesight. But then he settled in and watched contently Dixie and the baby. He's a good boy...I think we'll be fine here. There will be close supervision for those first few outings with the babies.


Well we're off to keep vigil on the pipped little one. make sure all goes well here. Hopefully this evening she'll be out.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

And here's number 2 . She zipped so fast. Beautiful strong chick already trying to use its legs. We are in awe...

 

[joyfulkeeper]

Awe!!!

I have been loving all the news and pictures of your hatches! Many Blessings to everyone!

I just put the eggs in the incubator into lock down. And found 6 pips already!! The ducklings are anxious to make their appearance! 4 more have internally pipped.

The chicken eggs don't look quite ready yet. I wish I had put them in a day earlier. Now I'm worried that the humidity will be too much for them. Hopefully, it will all be okay.

On a non-chicken note, we got a call on Saturday from our son. He is back on American soil after almost a year in Afghanistan! I'm still emotional with joy and relief. We will get to hug him in a couple of weeks!

 

[chickenlindz]

Awe!!!

I have been loving all the news and pictures of your hatches! Many Blessings to everyone!

I just put the eggs in the incubator into lock down. And found 6 pips already!! The ducklings are anxious to make their appearance! 4 more have internally pipped.

The chicken eggs don't look quite ready yet. I wish I had put them in a day earlier. Now I'm worried that the humidity will be too much for them. Hopefully, it will all be okay.

On a non-chicken note, we got a call on Saturday from our son. He is back on American soil after almost a year in Afghanistan! I'm still emotional with joy and relief. We will get to hug him in a couple of weeks!

Thank your son for me on this Memorial Day!

 

[ladylynch]

should I keep the chicks with mom or move them to a brooder

 

[mollybuck]

Oh I'm so happy. Happy to see all these beautiful chicks and success. Share in some of the disappointments. Out of 7 eggs 5 were duds. I went on a camping trip with my family this weekend and came home to this beauty this late morning. Her sibling has pipped and maybe starting to zip. The sweet little cheeps are so endearing and Dixie has begun to show her food and give her directions. Over the weekend Violet kept a close eye on things and left two of her eggs for Dixie. Here she is inspecting the new black fuzzball. And our head-nut, Roger is introduced to the new baby. He sat in my son's arms contently watching his newest flock member. I think he will be a good leader to this new one. He had nice soft eyes for the little one. He gave his little warning trill when he first saw the baby...like when a blue bird flies over or a sparrow. Just an instinctual thing, I think when there is something new or not known in his eyesight. But then he settled in and watched contently Dixie and the baby. He's a good boy...I think we'll be fine here. There will be close supervision for those first few outings with the babies. Well we're off to keep vigil on the pipped little one. make sure all goes well here. Hopefully this evening she'll be out.

Oh! Congrats! Did the other one hatch? Joyful! I'm so glad your son is home safe! Wow. We share the chickens, but there is so much more to be thankful for. And we have another chick. I checked on my broody after giving her back 3 eggs. I had little hope for them. Having been washed, moved to the incubator for 3 days and then back to the nest after it was dusted. Well. My other silkie is broody now and she had just an open nest box until today. We heard this .. screaming.. and looked, on of the BO girls was pecking her. I moved her and the nest to the same area as snowball, and while I was getting things settled, I decided to clean up the poo that was half the size of the hen!!And when I scooped she moved a bit and I saw a cracked egg. At first I was bummed..til I remembered it was hatch day.! We put the garden in, went to the parade and for groceries...my parents stopped by for a minute around seven and I told my mom..we went in and sure enough there was cheeping!! I don't know about the others, but I am thrilled with one!! Hopefully in the morning I will be able to see it!

 

[joyfulkeeper]

And here's number 2 . She zipped so fast. Beautiful strong chick already trying to use its legs. We are in awe...

Congrats! I'm so glad you have 2 cuties out of the hatch. So adorable!

Thank your son for me on this Memorial Day!

We are so proud of him! And he is very proud to serve our great nation.

Oh! Congrats! Did the other one hatch?

Joyful! I'm so glad your son is home safe! Wow. We share the chickens, but there is so much more to be thankful for.

And we have another chick. I checked on my broody after giving her back 3 eggs. I had little hope for them. Having been washed, moved to the incubator for 3 days and then back to the nest after it was dusted. Well. My other silkie is broody now and she had just an open nest box until today. We heard this .. screaming.. and looked, on of the BO girls was pecking her. I moved her and the nest to the same area as snowball, and while I was getting things settled, I decided to clean up the poo that was half the size of the hen!!And when I scooped she moved a bit and I saw a cracked egg. At first I was bummed..til I remembered it was hatch day.! We put the garden in, went to the parade and for groceries...my parents stopped by for a minute around seven and I told my mom..we went in and sure enough there was cheeping!! I don't know about the others, but I am thrilled with one!! Hopefully in the morning I will be able to see it!

After all your hard work I'm so glad you got a little fluffy butt. Hoping for another for your broody!

 

[Melabella]

WOWOWZa... he is a handsome one! Gives me hope my roo will accept my new little chicks. What breed is he?

Cheers to everyone for all the new chicks! So wonderful.. I am enjoying all the stories and the pictures. Love the little chicks under the broody, so pretty.

I decided to unplug the Brinsea,, as there was no action on the last two eggs. I opened the eggs and found two little perfectly formed chicks that had obviously died right after lockdown, neither of their yolks absorbed. Now to go to work as to perhaps reading what could have gone wrong. I am happy I had 4 out of 7 shipped eggs from all displaced air cells. I will look at that as a success!

Joyfulkeeper,,, someone else said it best.... all this chicken talk pales in comparison to having your son safe and sound on our home soil. Blessings and humble gratitude from my family to yours. Godspeed, and I hope he is home in your arms soon.

MB