I had a second lavender Orpington go broody the last week of March after my other Orpington was raising chicks. I quick bought eBay eggs (Red blue laced Wyandottes) to put under her. They didn’t ship for a few days and I didn’t receive them till April 4th. My bad mistake for first time shipped eggs I didn’t let them sit for 24 hours first since I wasn’t aware it made a difference. Since I was a kid I’ve always hatched out barnyard mixes with broodies.
I set them under her about 5pm April 4th. Fast forward, she refused to leave her nest in the top nesting box and was fighting to stay in her box with other hens coming in and out. Out of 8 eggs 2 were infertile and the rest developing fine. Lost 2 at 10 days due to blood rings. So I had 4 eggs left looking perfect. One had a crack which I then put wax on. 3 days later she broke it. Perfectly formed little chick inside. I don’t know if that’s what did it, but 2 days later she completely stopped being broody. I quick took the remaining 3 eggs inside at 16 days and put them under a make shift brooder in my oven with a 60 watt bulb, humidifier and wet paper towels. I couldn’t for the life of me keep the temp steady. I was constantly babysitting and moving eggs around. I saw all three moving as of the 18. Then the 19th only 2 moving yesterday morning. As of this morning only 1 was moving. I felt pretty sure the 2 that weren’t moving were gone as I’ve been through this many times (not with an incubator). I decided to eggtopsy them and get them out asap. The chicks were only looking like 17-18 days old with large yolk sacks. They should be on day 20 as of today and then 21 days at 6pm tonight. They were both deceased.
So I quick ran to tractor supply and picked up a little giant incubator. The temp is steady and my 2 extra thermometers are pretty accurate for me (I’ve been using them for a couple months to monitor inside house and coop). I cannot for the life of me get the humidity down! It’s been at 80%. The incubator has stayed at 75% but mine both read 80%. What can I do? This chick is still alive and moving as of 3pm today. I really want to do whatever I can to possibly save her. Help!
I set them under her about 5pm April 4th. Fast forward, she refused to leave her nest in the top nesting box and was fighting to stay in her box with other hens coming in and out. Out of 8 eggs 2 were infertile and the rest developing fine. Lost 2 at 10 days due to blood rings. So I had 4 eggs left looking perfect. One had a crack which I then put wax on. 3 days later she broke it. Perfectly formed little chick inside. I don’t know if that’s what did it, but 2 days later she completely stopped being broody. I quick took the remaining 3 eggs inside at 16 days and put them under a make shift brooder in my oven with a 60 watt bulb, humidifier and wet paper towels. I couldn’t for the life of me keep the temp steady. I was constantly babysitting and moving eggs around. I saw all three moving as of the 18. Then the 19th only 2 moving yesterday morning. As of this morning only 1 was moving. I felt pretty sure the 2 that weren’t moving were gone as I’ve been through this many times (not with an incubator). I decided to eggtopsy them and get them out asap. The chicks were only looking like 17-18 days old with large yolk sacks. They should be on day 20 as of today and then 21 days at 6pm tonight. They were both deceased.
So I quick ran to tractor supply and picked up a little giant incubator. The temp is steady and my 2 extra thermometers are pretty accurate for me (I’ve been using them for a couple months to monitor inside house and coop). I cannot for the life of me get the humidity down! It’s been at 80%. The incubator has stayed at 75% but mine both read 80%. What can I do? This chick is still alive and moving as of 3pm today. I really want to do whatever I can to possibly save her. Help!
watching! You've invested a lot of time and energy into this last egg and I wish you well, hoping for a good outcome!
