APRIL HATCH-A-LONG come join in

[LauraCTChick]

Of the five I have under the brooder lamp, I need to shut that lamp off at night, yes? I don't want them to get cold but I don't want them to think it's daytime 24/7. Thoughts?

 

[wolftracks]

Been reading along and I'm going crazy waiting for the 25th.
I have 12 BCM and 2 Ameracuana(sp) know it's not right, in the bator.
Tomorrow I'm setting some of my Games and EEs. Using these to test my new homemade bator.
I've been have chick withdrawls since December. If everything goes well, I'm thinking the bators will be filled forever.
I don't have a problem. I'm not addicted. I just want more chickens.

 

[wolftracks]

Quote:
No!
Leave that light on. If you're using a red bulb, all the better.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
They need the warmth of the heat lamp all day and night, so keep it ON! They'll definitely sleep when they're tired, so don't worry about that. It really should be red though (it's easier to sleep at night when the light is red rather than white).

 

[Chief]

Lots of great stories about all your chicks!!

The second of my broody's didn't do as well as the first but she managed to hatch 7 chicks. It was her first batch, and the chicks didn't begin to hatch until day 24 and the last hatched on day 26. She then got off the nest and there were six more fully developed in the remaining eggs that got cold. I'll get some pics up tomorrow!

 

[LauraCTChick]

Got it, lights on! Red lamp it is. Lots of warmth. They were squawking something fierce when I shut it off. Now that DH has turned it back on they're yelling at him, probably for shutting it off.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
LOL. They should quiet down once they warm back up. It's supposed to get COLD here again tonight! Where exactly are you in CT? I'm in Suffield!

 

[newduckie]

OK... have quite the story to tell. I got off work at 3:30 and got home to go straight out to check on my babies. I noticed that mom was really raising a ruckus and just thought she wanted out. Got out there and there was a HUGE snake in the room with her and the babies. It was eating one of the goslings. It had it by the head, clear down to its neck. I knew it was dead, but I was danged if I was going to let it have it. I was screaming my head off for my hubby. I grabbed a pitchfork and it took off across the floor with the gosling in its mouth. I stabbed at it and it turned to strike at me with its mouth full. I swung and hit it in the head and the baby flew across the room and then the fight was on. It was trying to get aaway and I was not going to let it. It would start up the wall and I would knock it down... Mind you... I am still screaming at the top of my lungs. Hubby gets there and takes the fork from me and takes over the fight. he finally got it outside and was able to spear it to the ground while got his gun. I grabbed the baby when I realized it was alive.. Laying on its back and neck really weird, kind of twisted. I ran to the house with it and its whole head and neck were SLIMED... from the inside of the snakes mouth. I couldnt get myself to touch that part of it. I brought it to the bathroom sink and got a washcloth and washed its head. By the time I got done it seemed pretty much ok. It did have a bit of blood from teeth marks on its neck where it grabbed it. I never have named any of my poultry... but this onees name is most certainly MIRACLE... I put it in the brooder with the ones from the bator and it is going strong. Its down on its head and neck are pretty yucky. dint want to do alot of cleaning to it till it rests some. Do I need to worry about infection since it was bit? the snake was a black snake and it bit all the way around the neck. I hesitate to put on antibiotic cream since the others are pecking all over each other all the time. Dont want them to eat it. I will have nightmares tonight... To continue... I decided that I was not to keen on leaving the babies out there with the mom since she didnt even try to protect her babies. She just RAN.... I went and got the rest from her after weighing the pros and cons for a couple of hours.. SHe didn't even look back, she ran out the door and took off with the rest of the grownups. Didnt ever even go back to see if they were there. I think I made the right decision. I had been taking pictures before this happened so my camera was by the door. I snapped a picture before I washed it's head off. this is what a gosling looks like after being eaten and knocked loose by a snake. (the snake turned out to be almost 5 feet long)

 

[LauraCTChick]

Quote:
LOL. They should quiet down once they warm back up. It's supposed to get COLD here again tonight! Where exactly are you in CT? I'm in Suffield!

In the Litchfield Hills, had to pull my plants in tonight to prevent frostbite. The chicks are in a sunroom outside of my bedroom where I can hear them peep, peep, peep all night.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
LOL. They should quiet down once they warm back up. It's supposed to get COLD here again tonight! Where exactly are you in CT? I'm in Suffield!

In the Litchfield Hills, had to pull my plants in tonight to prevent frostbite. The chicks are in a sunroom outside of my bedroom where I can hear them peep, peep, peep all night.

Ooh, the Hills. You guys always get the harshest weather conditions! Why would you put those fuzzy butts near your bedroom...Are you not a fan of sleeping?!!!!