Brabanter Chicks

[aRob]

I bought a pair of Gold Brabanters last year around September, and the female just started laying eggs a few months ago. I've kept some in the incubator before, but after a day of breaking a small hole in the egg, they all die, like they gave up. That happened with 4 of them. Then this past week I had two hatch that I kept in a box with water and food and a heat lamp that I use to raise other chicks that works every time. Those chicks died in the middle of the night. I don't know why. If anyone has any advice or know why its happening your response will be much appreciated.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

The ones that pipped, (poked a hole thru the shell) and didn't hatch, possibly died from a lack of moisture (Lowhumidity) the incubator or a lack of oxygen from vents not being opened.

The ones that died in the brooder may have died from a number of reasons, from drafts and being chilled in the brooder, over heating,covering the brooder,not finding food or water or a bacterial or viral infection from an improperly cleaned incubator and or brooder from past hatches and broods.

I am so sorry you have been having troubles. If you have any in the future, make sure to post questions in the forums so we can help you.

Welcome to our flock!

 

[aRob]

Thanks a lot! I have one hatching in the next couple of days. I'll do everything you've said! Thanks!

 

[TwoCrows]

You need to get your humidity up to about 65% or 70% at lock down day. (3 days before hatch, stop turning eggs) Open all vents wide open. When the chicks pip, they will sit there for 24+ hours. They are busy absorbing the last of the yolk and detaching themselves from the inside of the shell. So do not be tempted to get in there and pry the baby out!! Just let it do it's thing and it will come out when ready. Do not open the lid of the incubator when chicks are pipping or they will shrink wrap to the inside of the shell and die. You can only open the lid when the babies that are hatched are completely dry and there are no pips.

If you need to add more moisture to the bator, you can add damp sponges to up the humidity. You can open the lid of the bator during lock down UNTIL you see pipping, and then do not open it again till all are hatched, dry and no pipping elsewhere.

Keep us posted!

 

[SternRose]

When they hatch can u post photos I love baby chicks. Lol

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Sorry about your chicks. TwoCrows gave you some good advice about figuring out where the problem may be. You may also be dealing with a genetic or health problem or line that just is not very strong, if you have other fertile eggs from hens whose eggs you have hatched with no problem before, that you can set at the same time as a breed you are having problems with, it is sometimes helpful to do that, if the extra eggs do and hatch fine you might want to look at the problem breed parents and their health.

 

[gander007]