August Hatch-A-Long!

[Roxannemc]

I gave all of my baby chicks (2-8 days old) fermented feed for the first time today. At first they wanted nothing to do with it, but I left it in their brooders and they devoured it! My chickens all eat fermented feed so I want the chicks to eat it too.

I said brooderS because I separated the chicks into two sections because the 8 day old regular chicks were running around like kindergarten kids knocking over the toddlers (4 day old Silkies and my 2 day old TINY homegrown chick). My homegrown is the size of my smallest silkie chick,I don't know why she is so small.

Everyone is doing very well except one silkie that may have neurological issues...she attacks her own foot. She still eats, drinks, is growing, but in between that she frantically bites her foot...mostly the right one. I have examined her, there is nothing wrong with her foot or leg. Will be keeping an eye on her.

Humm that's a new one to me.!Maybe she thinks this 3 toe thing is walking along with her. She wants it gone!!LOl

 

[LisaLouHoo]

I'm so glad to hear you "crazy chicken people" acting like my crazy chicken self. I'm joining late in this thread because I JUST found you guys. I had my first experience recently that I'll share. I had two Buff O's go broody at the same time, so I quickly ordered some eggs from BYC that were shipped to me and arrived in 3 days all nicely wrapped. So I moved one broody to a secure pen-like large cage and placed the 12 eggs in a nice nest box inside. By the next morning she still hadn't laid on them but had messed around w them. So I went and got the other broody and she wouldn't lay on them either!! By then, I was super anxious and obsessed. I had just paid for a variety of really cool eggs and these hens were not cooperating. The first broody had already gone back to her normal nest box and was still being broody, so I took the eggs up to her and slipped them under her. I let the other broody go and when she went back to being broody, I divided the eggs thinking I was bettering my chances by using both of them. I started candling on day 8 and not knowing exactly what I was doing, I was unsure of what I was seeing. More obsession here, lol. A couple of the eggs were Marans and very dark to see. To not ramble on much longer, it ended up ALL were duds!@#&. 4 quitters and and 8 nothings. Talk about discouraging!!!!

Well after all that I wanted baby chicks!!! So now I'm on day 3 with one of the same broodies with my own eggs. Yes, I had fertile (I hope) eggs myself, but just wanted some new pure breeds to add to my flock. I have a New Hampshire roo (Randy) so I placed 8 eggs under my broody. 1 white leghorn, 1 red sex link, 3 EE, and 3 Buff O. These will be what everyone is calling "barnyard mixes."

I tell you, I have learned sooo much from BYC. I was able to view videos, egg progression charts, and read enough good advice to figure out what was going on with my dud eggs, so at least I never had a rotten egg blow up on me, haha. I'm hoping I'll have some luck with these 8 eggs.

 

[Roxannemc]

I'm so glad to hear you "crazy chicken people" acting like my crazy chicken self. I'm joining late in this thread because I JUST found you guys. I had my first experience recently that I'll share. I had two Buff O's go broody at the same time, so I quickly ordered some eggs from BYC that were shipped to me and arrived in 3 days all nicely wrapped. So I moved one broody to a secure pen-like large cage and placed the 12 eggs in a nice nest box inside. By the next morning she still hadn't laid on them but had messed around w them. So I went and got the other broody and she wouldn't lay on them either!! By then, I was super anxious and obsessed. I had just paid for a variety of really cool eggs and these hens were not cooperating. The first broody had already gone back to her normal nest box and was still being broody, so I took the eggs up to her and slipped them under her. I let the other broody go and when she went back to being broody, I divided the eggs thinking I was bettering my chances by using both of them. I started candling on day 8 and not knowing exactly what I was doing, I was unsure of what I was seeing. More obsession here, lol. A couple of the eggs were Marans and very dark to see. To not ramble on much longer, it ended up ALL were duds!@#&. 4 quitters and and 8 nothings. Talk about discouraging!!!!

Well after all that I wanted baby chicks!!! So now I'm on day 3 with one of the same broodies with my own eggs. Yes, I had fertile (I hope) eggs myself, but just wanted some new pure breeds to add to my flock. I have a New Hampshire roo (Randy) so I placed 8 eggs under my broody. 1 white leghorn, 1 red sex link, 3 EE, and 3 Buff O. These will be what everyone is calling "barnyard mixes."

I tell you, I have learned sooo much from BYC. I was able to view videos, egg progression charts, and read enough good advice to figure out what was going on with my dud eggs, so at least I never had a rotten egg blow up on me, haha. I'm hoping I'll have some luck with these 8 eggs.

Yea h usuall y home grown are best You did have a time with the broodys!!But you were frustrated
I have only had 2 hatches with my broodys. The 3rdt they were a week late She never got off that I saw but must have here an there to eat. .anyway a good broody but none hatched.
I took them out but its hard to get into that nest
An egg had broken and got yellow goo all over all the other eggs and dried .Guess they smothered

 

[Gen9]

I bet they will be beautiful! Would love to see pictures when you're getting eggs from them.

We should start a thread & you pm me the link to your thread & I will do the same so we can subscribe & stay updated!

Well I did what BY Chicken Lady said. I pumped up the humidity & took the chick out of the bator. I'm laying down on my back, the chick is resting right near my collar bone, I have several dish towels over it but it can still peep it's head out if it wants. It's being super quiet & gently shuffling its feet here and there for just a second, then nuzzling short moment. I've never had such an urge to do this, must have bonded with me through the window. Ahhh it's so quiet now maybe I'll get a at least an hr of sleep.

 

[DeannaA]

I found a guy somewhat local to buy eggs from. He has black/lavender split orpingtons and golden red pheassants. I found someone else that has EE, seramas, guineas, quail and chukra. Little by little I am build my list of local people with hatching eggs. Only problem is I found severalall at once and I'm afraid if I don't buy right away they won't keep in touch such I am buying 8 dozen eggs in the next week and that is not including the ones I already have or the auction I won yesterday.

and

 

[DeannaA]

I feel lost without any hatching or in lockdown.

 

[Gen9]

Here it is.. Ugh. Too cute. I will be heartbroken if this one doesn't make it for whatever reason

 

[Gen9]

I found a guy somewhat local to buy eggs from. He has black/lavender split orpingtons and golden red pheassants. I found someone else that has EE, seramas, guineas, quail and chukra. Little by little I am build my list of local people with hatching eggs. Only problem is I found severalall at once and I'm afraid if I don't buy right away they won't keep in touch such I am buying 8 dozen eggs in the next week and that is not including the ones I already have or the auction I won yesterday.

and

Oh wow! Lol Looks like someone got bit by the biddy bug! Lol I am seriously done after my broody hatches these eggs at the end of the month. Right now I have 25 birds, 1 hatched, 2 hatching & broody sitting on 9. & uhhh... I am not out in the country at all. I'm in the city. Lol!

 

[familypendragon]

Just candled my 3rd batch - the shipped barred rocks on day 10. Originally started with 14, weeded out 7 on Day 7 with either blood rings or no development. Of the 7 remaining I saw clear movement in 6 of the 7. The last one has a wonky air cell, and a bigger shadow, but I wasn't able to determine if it moved or not - the shell also seems thicker and harder to see through. These were supposed to be the other half of a Welbar project - but given that all the Welsummers died I guess not Need to find someone with Welsummer chicks that are not hatchery quality.

 

[BY Chicken Lady]

Well today is lock down on my solo egg that I added to the 6 original eggs.  I added this egg 5 days later.  Since the last of the 6 gave up, this is my only hope.  Just saw it move and heard it chirp which gives me hope.  I am even more involved and watching it even more because it is the last and no eggs added after it.  keeping a close watch on the humidity and temp.  I will try not to open period.  I added a sponge under the vent hole so maybe I can inject water to it without opening the lid.  I think I did that too much on the  last one trying to add water.

Fingers Crossed all goes well!