California - Northern

[casportpony]

I think they probably got the infection during incubation, not from the hens. FWIW, the only time I have chicks die from yolk sac infections is when I hatch them in the incubator. Have you read this https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/mushy-chick-disease-yolk-sack-infection-omphalitis ?

-Kathy

Edited to add: not saying that they didn't get the bacteria from the hens, just that that hasn't been my experience.

 

[SpringPeeper]

I think they probably got the infection during incubation, not from the hens. FWIW, the only time I have chicks die from yolk sac infections is when I hatch them in the incubator. Have you read this https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/mushy-chick-disease-yolk-sack-infection-omphalitis ?

-Kathy

I read it earlier this year when I had that mushy chick that came from an egg a scrub jay pecked open a few days before the rest of the clutch hatched (she made it, actually! I was very surprised). These chicks didn't seem mushy or have odd umbilicus (the only oddity was the one with webbed toes). It was interesting to look again, though. It does mention e. coli and e. fecalis there.

 

[ronott1]

I read it earlier this year when I had that mushy chick that came from an egg a scrub jay pecked open a few days before the rest of the clutch hatched (she made it, actually! I was very surprised). These chicks didn't seem mushy or have odd umbilicus (the only oddity was the one with webbed toes). It was interesting to look again, though. It does mention e. coli and e. fecalis there.

A trick to prevent infections is to put a couple of real coper pennies (pre 1982 I think) into the water. I have them in the brinsea auto water unit. It makes a copper oxide solution.

Edited due to using a tablet....

 

[casportpony]

I read it earlier this year when I had that mushy chick that came from an egg a scrub jay pecked open a few days before the rest of the clutch hatched (she made it, actually! I was very surprised). These chicks didn't seem mushy or have odd umbilicus (the only oddity was the one with webbed toes). It was interesting to look again, though. It does mention e. coli and e. fecalis there.

A trick to prevent infections is to put a couple of real coper pennies (pre 1982 I think) into the water. I have them in the brinsea auto water unit. It makes a copper oxide solution.

Edited due to using a tablet....

Interesting... Seems no matter how well I clean mine that by the time they start to hatch it smells a little "off".

-Kathy

 

[SpringPeeper]

A trick to prevent infections is to put a couple of real coper pennies (pre 1982 I think) into the water. I have them in the brinsea auto water unit. It makes a copper oxide solution.

Edited due to using a tablet....

Wow, I don't think I'd heard that before. I will test that next time I am incubating. I haven't had mushy chicks from incubation (knock on wood) but I'm always up for preventative steps. Do you just heat it with the penny in before/after to make sure it is sanitized for the hatch?

 

[chrissyr]

I found my rooster in the nest box. I use clean cat litter boxes , so it took some maneuvering to get in. he was full on in there coo-ing. One hand was in the other one, and no one else in the hen house. He promptly jumped out when he saw me

 

[ronott1]

Wow,  I don't think I'd heard that before. I will test that next time I am incubating. I haven't had mushy chicks from incubation (knock on wood) but I'm always up for preventative steps. Do you just heat it with the penny in before/after to make sure it is sanitized for the hatch?

I use lysol to clean the incubator. The brinsea pumps water into pads. It never smells.

 

[casportpony]

I've tried all kinds of stuff in the RCOM, and I take it completely apart, so everything but the electronics get cleaned, but by the time the ducks or peachicks start to hatch it smells jus a little off.

-Kathy

 

[margaret8]

Yes, down the right hand side.

-Kathy

Right......and how do you do guinas? They are so gental and all!!!

 

[casportpony]

Yes, down the right hand side.

-Kathy

Right......and how do you do guinas? They are so gental and all!!!

The same way, just more firmly, lol.

-Kathy