Bay Area BYCers!

[wolftracks]

Husband and I built this one. It's hatched several hatches. Transfered these eggs from my LG.

At 65 and under I get dried out chicks. They shrink wrap.

I'll leave it where it is for now.

Today is actually hatch day. First pip was about noon yesterday. About 2 this morning I was pretty sure it hadn't made it.

Temps are holding steady. Well they were before I said something. Who knows now?

 

[wolftracks]

Quote:
sorry what does that mean?

Post before that was post #666

 

[jeremy]

Melina, I'm so happy you're babies arrived safe and sound! Way to go!

You want to vaccinate the chicks within the first 48 hours of their lives, injecting the vaccine at the base of their necks. If you need help, feel free to PM me!

BTW, it looks like you've got quite the colorful bunch there! I'm betting you have a few black, blue and at least one splash laced chick!

wolftracks, I wouldn't gie up just yet, sometimes they just take their time coming out of the shell. Give them another day or so, they'll make it.

 

[wolftracks]

OK humity is at 67%

I had a good two hatches at and since there was a Marans egg in there I have had better luck with humidity a little higher, but maybe the lower %age will be OK

I'm getting really depressed with this. I know most of my shipped eggs didn't take this summer due to rough handling, but these have developed and the d'Uccles I had in there the ohter day had developed. Two zipped and died and none of the others even pipped.

I've tried carton hatching and only ever had one hatch from trying that 3 different times. I'm so frustrated. Only one of the Marans eggs developed this time.

If you've ever ordered from pips&peeps or Bargain, you know they are packaging QUEENS. The PO out here is just aweful with the handling of anything. If the box only says fragile, it's damaged, hatching eggs, it's damaged. I really need to get the Egg Train moving again. Holidays are coming up and people travel. Maybe I'll have to start looking for an alternative method of shipping.

I started the Egg Train right after my mom passed away in April. My dad died May 1st and I was trying to get this started so I could use it for safe delivery and it was helping a lot. Then I lost Bill in July and didn't post hardly at all other than about him. I've had a depression summer and fall is not much better. I'm trying to use the chickens again ti get through all of this and I NEED these eggs to hatch. I want everything I have to be laying by summer.

Thing is I have had them developing and then nothing. If it happens again this will be 2nd and 3rd shipment of no hatches. I'd pull my hair out but it's already to thin.

The last shipment, the box was completely folded in have on one side. So far I've candled and see nothing but broken aircells and scrambled eggs. Still have them in the bator hoping for a miracle.

Sorry about the rambling, but needed to vent a bit.

All better now! LOL

 

[wolftracks]

Quote:
Not giving up. I've had hatches on day 25 a few times, but not one pip and then others days later. Usually if they don't follow behind eachother they don't hatch.

Today is when they are due anyway. Maybe this chick just tried to hurry out too soon. I do see a lot of dry yolk and I could see blood while it was pipping, so maybe something was wrong with it.

OK I'd usually take an egg out if I knew the chick hadn't made it. I'll ask here. Should I leave it in there?

 

[jeremy]

I wouldn't open the incubator until you absolutely have to, you don't want to upset the conditions inside.

 

[wolftracks]

Yeah I decided not to after I wrote that.

I'm just sooo exhausted I can't think.

One day that I don't have to be up by 7 and everyone called to check on me. WTH???

I really am trying to go back to bed, just can't get up. LOL

 

[jeremy]

Go get some rest!

Check on the chickies later and be sure to let us know who's pipped!

 

[calichicks]

I'm wondering what you all do for winterizing the coop if anything?? Living in the Bay area they have it pretty good but when it gets stormy do you do anything to the coop and run?/ My run and coop are covered but the run is open with hardcloth - do you put up plastic to protect them from wind/rain? thanks

 

[jeremy]

I typically add a tarp to the uncovered parts of my run to provide some shelter for my chooks during the rainy season. It doesn't get too cold here so I've never worried about freezing conditions. If it gets too cold and stays below freezing for an extended period of time I've put on of the brooder lamps in the coop to provide some extra heat.

Though... I usually find them standing outside... in the uncovered parts of the run... soaking wet...

I have a "special needs" chicken, long story but she's had different ailments her entire life and she HATES water, with passion. So when it rains I literally have to go out to the run and move her to wherever the rest of the flock is because she refuses to walk through puddles. She does a good job of staying out of the rain too, but she will not walk through a puddle of water.

She'll stand there, waiting for me making a terrible screeching sound until I come to her aid...