April Hatch Along

[Calichicken2015]

Sometimes I think the air cells are so bad there's no way the chick will live, and they totally surprise me! The converse has also happened where I've thought, "This one has an awesome air cell" and they don't hatch. I've given up trying to figure what true viability looks like (except obvious things) because little chicks will do what little chicks will do!

So true!!! can't tell until they hatch how it will all work out!

The daughter came running in, "Mom, there is the biggest poop you have ever seen in Buffy's coop - almost human sized!" I think my girl finally got off the nest today!!

LOL!!!! Broody poop is the WORST

That's one nice thing about starting them in the incubator

maybe she will let you candle them in a few days? How many is she on? Hopefully enough to spare a few if they are clear. If too many are clear, and you are able to check them in the first week or so, you can trade them out. They will usually just sit until something hatches. I've only had one broody give up early, but it happens. (I feel sure you will have an incubator you can pop them into! Lol) I had another broody that had all quitters when I checked on day 18, so I gave her 4 more, just in case she wanted to tough it out, and 3 of those hatched! So she sat for 40 days!

WOW!!!! That's one good broody momma!!!! Good luck with your current eggs under your broodies!!!

 

[orrpeople]

I had heard that...just reassuring to hear it again. I'm happy to hear the little chirps though.

Quite a lot of us "non first time hatchers" also go a little nuts between pip and zip....in the meantime, besides going on a run, or working outside, I also picture all the things that happen between pip and zip. Those blood vessels are all being absorbed, as well as the rest of the yolk. Some of them are further along by the time they pip, so they are quicker, some have a lot of absorbing to do and they will take longer.

 

[Calichicken2015]

So HARD to be patient and wait!!! No matter how hard I try to stay busy, I end up wearing out the floor b my incubator watching for something to hatch!

So exciting!!!

 

[klweber2002]

Quite a lot of us "non first time hatchers" also go a little nuts between pip and zip....in the meantime, besides going on a run, or working outside, I also picture all the things that happen between pip and zip. Those blood vessels are all being absorbed, as well as the rest of the yolk. Some of them are further along by the time they pip, so they are quicker, some have a lot of absorbing to do and they will take longer.

Thanks for that explanation, I never thought of it that way before. I'm use to calving out cows, not hatching chicks.

 

[orrpeople]

Well, as with all my Cream Legbar hatches, the jury is out on a couple, but I'm sure I at least have 3 pullets, and 6 of 9 hatched. Not my highest percentage for shipped eggs, but certainly not my lowest either!! Bantam Belgium D'Uccles next!! (Due in 2 days!)

 

[orrpeople]

Thanks for that explanation, I never thought of it that way before. I'm use to calving out cows, not hatching chicks.

Yeah, it's kind of crazy when you think that chicks go from totally not being able to exist outside their shell, to "ready for action" in that short little time between pip and zip. Mammals might be born premature, but often survive outside the womb just fine if they are! Amazing critters!

 

[klweber2002]

I'm just in awe how they can peck through that shell, that and watch the eggs that haven't popped rock in there eggs.

 

[BlueShadow]

Hi everybody. I've enjoyed catching up and reading the thread so far. I set 22 eggs in my very old Hovabator, have 12 left now on day 12 of incubation. I have picked up some useful hints on this thread, so thank you! I am excited and want to minimize any further losses - which is hard with the temperature swings and uncertain humidity. I know what level the humidity is, but I don't know where it should be since this is the first full hatch I have done in an incubator.

I think my biggest question is, I know its going to be pretty near impossible for me to sit on my hands once hatch starts. So is there a good resource that explains what is normal and what isn't, so that if I do intervene, I do so at an appropriate time?

 

[WVduckchick]

I'm just in awe how they can peck through that shell, that and watch the eggs that haven't popped rock in there eggs.

The first full zip is amazing! Heck, even the hundredth is! As I'm sure my thousandth will be also.

Hi everybody. I've enjoyed catching up and reading the thread so far. I set 22 eggs in my very old Hovabator, have 12 left now on day 12 of incubation. I have picked up some useful hints on this thread, so thank you! I am excited and want to minimize any further losses - which is hard with the temperature swings and uncertain humidity. I know what level the humidity is, but I don't know where it should be since this is the first full hatch I have done in an incubator.

I think my biggest question is, I know its going to be pretty near impossible for me to sit on my hands once hatch starts. So is there a good resource that explains what is normal and what isn't, so that if I do intervene, I do so at an appropriate time?

I'm sure there is probably one out there, very likely even one right here on this site. In my opinion, the biggest thing to pay attention to is the membrane. As long as it is papery-white, to light gray (wet-looking white), then the chick is most likely fine. If it looks brown, its either too dry inside, or the chick is not progressing. Check out the "Hands On Hatching Help" thread, lots of knowledgeable folks when it comes to assisting. And of course, there are lots here too!

Also, in your researching, please keep in mind that different breeds are more likely to need assistance than others, and some breeds almost never need any (and if they do, its a good bet that the outcome is not as pleasant) Not all assisting is created equal.

Best of luck with your hatch!

 

[orrpeople]

The first full zip is amazing!  Heck, even the hundredth is!  As I'm sure my thousandth will be also.


I'm sure there is probably one out there, very likely even one right here on this site.  In my opinion, the biggest thing to pay attention to is the membrane.  As long as it is papery-white, to light gray (wet-looking white), then the chick is most likely fine.  If it looks brown, its either too dry inside, or the chick is not progressing.  Check out the "Hands On Hatching Help" thread, lots of knowledgeable folks when it comes to assisting.  And of course, there are lots here too! 

Also, in your researching, please keep in mind that different breeds are more likely to need assistance than others, and some breeds almost never need any (and if they do, its a good bet that the outcome is not as pleasant)  Not all assisting is created equal.

Best of luck with your hatch! 

Most valuable piece of advice (and I've gotten quite a few from this wise "master hatcher" ) has been to keep an eye on the color of the membrane. So many times I've wanted to rush in and "rescue" a chick that seemed stuck. Then I remind myself, "Self," I say, "that membrane is lilly white, so it's still quite easy for the chick to break through, keep your hands out of the incubator!"