Chicks just hatching-first timer-Now what

[Hawgon]

We got some eggs to incubate for our first time and darn if they didnt hatch. Out of 5 we have 3 little chicks running around. Now what!?!? They are from 2 hours to 15 minutes old. Please advise....Thanks

 

[mm22kids]

I just want to say first that I only play a chicken mama on TV I'm not perfect so the advice I'm giving is only what I've used myself. I have taken my chicks that have no mama into my house in a plastic bin. Paper towel on the bottom and a heater light clipped to the side I think you can use any lamp as long as there staying warm.

You need to get crushed pellets for the little ones and a watering dish. that's about it. I keep them inside until they can jump the bin and end up walking around my house.

Good luck

T from MA

 

[SpiritedFarm]

Leave them in the bator till tomorrow. They will live off the yolk sac for 24-48 hours. Once you put them in the brooder, dip their beaks in the water to show them where it is.
Offer starter feed and enjoy!

What are the other two eggs doing? any rocking or pips?

Congrats on your new babes!

 

[SpiritedFarm]

oh and be sure they can't get "In" the water dish, i use marbles in the dish for the first week. Little fuzzbutts like to immerse themselves (they drown), something about floating around in the egg

 

[Sphinx]

Congratulations on your hatch!!!

You'll need to get them in a brooder box. Personally, I use a rubbermaid tote. Put something in the bottom- shredded paper, pine shavings, old towel, something like that. The first week, they'll need 95 or so temps, so you'll need a brooder lamp and a bulb for that.

They'll need water available at all times, and they'll also need chick starter. You can find little bags for $6 or so, or 50 lb bags for $15. I'd suggest the 50 lb bag.

 

[Hawgon]

Thanks everyone.....Grand-daughters were here and saw one hatch.....Was so cool.......We have 6 hens that are 3 months old now that we have had since they were 1 week old so I have it down from 1 week old and on but this is all new to me and I guess 2 of the eggs were Serama's and they are small. I have a brooder set up with heat lamp, water and food but should I crush the med starter feed or wet it? I will put some marbles in the waterer just to be safe. I guess we will wait until tomorrow after I get home from work at 5 or so to put them in the brooder. 1 of the last 2 eggs has pipped but nothing from the last one yet but I was told that it may be later than the others for various reasons and there are possibly mixed breed eggs also. On pins and needles still........Thanks everyone for the quick responses, I feel a little better already.

 

[Hawgon]

The pipping one is rocking......Waiting and watching.....I love this stuff.....Now I know how you can get addicted......lol

 

[SpiritedFarm]

Yup! I told my hubby 4 years ago that it would be nice to have a couple of hens for fresh eggs.

I have just over 100 eggs in the bator in my bedroom

2 large brooders in the living room

30 hens in the coop, 3 more smaller coops under construction for my purebreds.

A rooster that needs to be reminded (with a stick) weekly who pays the feed bill around here.

Yup, i'm addicited. Welcome

 

[Hawgon]

Yup! I told my hubby 4 years ago that it would be nice to have a couple of hens for fresh eggs.

I have just over 100 eggs in the bator in my bedroom

2 large brooders in the living room

30 hens in the coop, 3 more smaller coops under construction for my purebreds.

A rooster that needs to be reminded (with a stick) weekly who pays the feed bill around here.

Yup, i'm addicited. Welcome

Ok...Your scaring me..........lol This is fun!!!!!!

 

[Hawgon]