BYC's 2026 Valentine's Day Hatch-Along

[redinator]

Drama hatched


The 3rd egg pipped at the wrong end.


I chipped a bit of the shell away, just enough to expose the beak, and dabbed a bit of olive oil on the membrane to prevent it from drying out while being handled.

If it doesn't manage to unzip by morning I'll assist further.

 

[redinator]

3rd chick is out, needed assistance

My plan was to just remove a bit of the small end of the shell so the chick could work on getting out. As soon as I removed a small chuck of shell over its head it leapt out of the shell .

Everything looks okay. The yolk has receded and I removed a bit of membrane so it won't dry on the chick and cause issues. The belly button still pokes out a bit, but it should go down over the next few hours.

 

[redinator]

New Live stream:

I'll leave all 3 in until the 3rd chick dries off; enjoy!

 

[redinator]

Allright candling time:

Day 11 large eggs from my own flock

I have 2 eggs I'm unsure about that I could use another opinion on before tossing them, it starts at time code 17:36. To me they look like floating embryos or blood rings, thoughts?

 

[redinator]

Bantams first photo op:

Meet Chaos, Drama and Havoc

Chaos; the buff/yellow chick


Drama; the dark grey chick


and Havoc; the black chick

This is the chick that piped at the wrong end of the egg. It seems to be doing okay. It still has a bit of squatty walk, but it did just hatch this morning, so that might improve overnight.

All are eating, drinking and pooping. They also figured out what the brooder plate is for.

 

[redinator]

Day 6 CPs, CCLs, White Bantam eggs and the Double yolker

 

[2ndTink]

Bantams first photo op:

Meet Chaos, Drama and Havoc

Chaos; the buff/yellow chick
View attachment 4300696

Drama; the dark grey chick
View attachment 4300697

and Havoc; the black chick
View attachment 4300698
This is the chick that piped at the wrong end of the egg. It seems to be doing okay. It still has a bit of squatty walk, but it did just hatch this morning, so that might improve overnight.

All are eating, drinking and pooping. They also figured out what the brooder plate is for.

I love their names, you are going to have your hands full!

 

[redinator]

I love their names, you are going to have your hands full!

They kept me guessing when I was candling. I was fully prepared to give up on them when 2 decided to pip, so they earned the names

 

[gullinkambe]

I'll continue with my next batch, even if we're overdue for Valentine's. If that's all right? 18 muscovy eggs with day 35 next Saturday. I expect them to arrive the same as the others, on day 33/34.
2 eggs have died. One had a loose air sac, kinda glad that one gave up, tbh, would likely have had hatching problems.

Candled the rest today, and two are already moving. Wasn't expecting that!

I'll be glad to be finished with this batch, a bit tired of ducks now. It's time for some chickens next! I just got a new rooster, excited to get some "homegrown" chicks in a few months.

 

[redinator]

I'll continue with my next batch, even if we're overdue for Valentine's. If that's all right?

I was just wondering about this myself. I have three batches going, including one I just started today, which won't hatch until mid March.