Chicks hatching, day early!

[poniesforever]

My hatch date was suppose to be Monday (tomorrow). Chicks started pipping out last night. So far, 9 have hatched without problem. There are at least 9 more eggs pipped, some are those are more then pipped. First hatch was 11:00AM, last at 6:00 PM, for the 9 that are already here... At 7 PM I just took the first 9 out, and put them in brooder. This is my first hatch! I put them on just news paper for now, instead of shavings. I sprinkeled food on the paper. The brooders temp is 96 to 98. Does this all sound like its okay?? My other question is, when do I put water in for them? I'm thinking I should wait until they can all move about alright.?? Some can and some are still learning. I will make sure the water is around 98 temp when I give it to them. I just don't know when to put water in for them! So far, so good otherwise!

 

[sweety13]

I think newspaper is not good, too slippery and they can develop splayed leg. Maybe put an old towel in there? Congrats!

 

[sweety13]

Also, they will learn to drink from a hampster/rabbit bottle, just touch their beak to it. Water should be given soon, but make sure if it is a dish there are marbles or something in it to keep them from drowning. I like the bottle because it helps keep the brooder clean

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

Mine hatched a day early too! I have a broody and she's now a proud momma to 6 little chickies. I've always used pine shavings and never had a problem. Congratulations!

 

[poniesforever]

Thank you for the tips, I will put shavings in today, I hadn't thought about the slippery. The news papers tho were temporary, until they were able to get around better. I will make sure to put rocks in the water dish. I didn't put water in over night. I know new chicks are shipped in mail often, and mine took 3 days to get here, so I figured they'd be okay the first night without water. They are doing well this morning!

Boy, this is all new to me!

One of the chicks that was born through the night, doesn't look to be like the others, just sort of stiff but moving and trying to walk. But I found it stuck on its back between two unhatched eggs this morning, no idea how long it was like that. So I don't know if it'll make it or not. Its a Faverolle.

This morning, I had nine more chicks hatched out! So I put them with the other nine. 5 more eggs are pipped. There are 12 more chick eggs, includding the 5 that are pipped now. and there are 7 duck eggs, that have done nothing yet. I put the duck eggs in 7 days earlier then the chicken eggs. Hoping they'll start doing something soon!

Congrats on your new little chicks too! And thank you all! I was worried because they were coming early... but they seem to be well enough. I guess if they come early even naturally with a broody hen, then its okay in an incubator too.

Thanks!