BYC's 2021 Spooktacular Halloween Hatch-Along!

[Solanacae]

It looks like the broody ate the egg shells of the hatched chicks. Is that normal? I think she ate the egg/chick that’s missing.

 

[muddy75]

It looks like the broody ate the egg shells of the hatched chicks. Is that normal? I think she ate the egg/chick that’s missing.

I don’t have a lot of broody experience….. @casportpony ????

 

[muddy75]

It looks like the broody ate the egg shells of the hatched chicks. Is that normal? I think she ate the egg/chick that’s missing.

I just know that if you do decide to give her chicks from the store, you should put them under her at night. But I’d be wary if she is not doing well with the hatching eggs. I’d probably just raise a few in the brooder and take any away from her that hatch successfully.

 

[casportpony]

my October hatches so far…..Hershey, Skittles, and Peanut

Congrats!

 

[casportpony]

It looks like the broody ate the egg shells of the hatched chicks. Is that normal? I think she ate the egg/chick that’s missing.

I don’t have a lot of broody experience….. @casportpony ????

Some of mine eat the shells, some do not.

 

[Smiles-N-Sunshine]

If there's a "Worst Photographer" contest, here is my submission

My spooky Welsh Harlequin klings scared me by hatching two days earlier than I expected. Like, I entered the bird room to lock down the incubator, and found 5 of them riding the automatic egg turner ride. Wheeeee!!!

I'll post a proper photo later. Now I'm off to figure out if I screwed something up, or they're just being butts.

 

[Pensmaster]

They’re budgies….I don’t have pigeons…….yet

I think pigeons would be fun but they seem complicated

 

[Pensmaster]

I just know that if you do decide to give her chicks from the store, you should put them under her at night. But I’d be wary if she is not doing well with the hatching eggs. I’d probably just raise a few in the brooder and take any away from her that hatch successfully.

X2

 

[Solanacae]

X2

I’m trying grafting - because she has been fine with the one chick that hatched on time. I’m not entirely sure what went wrong with the two that managed to at least partly hatch, but think it’s at least worth a try to see what happens.
I bought two “assorted rare breed” chicks that are supposedly sexed, and slipped hem under her. (I’m guessing Buff Orpingtons?) They were making a racket until they were under mama, and she made happy clucking noises. I stayed for a while just listening in the dark, and no terrified sounds of chicks being attacked, so fingers crossed. I’ll check on them early tomorrow to see how she does with them.
She was pretty frantic when I pulled the last three unhatched eggs out from under her, but went back to her chick when the eggs were out of sight, so I feel like her instincts are not entirely bad.

 

[muddy75]

I think pigeons would be fun but they seem complicated

I’ve had my eye on owl pigeons for a couple years now…..hopefully ill finally get them next spring