Colorado

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Ok, update before I go to bed for a few hours. I have 4 chicks hatched; 1 buff brahma, 1 RIR, and 2 mixes. I have three pips, so hopeful for more in the morning. I am worried though, I had to open the incubator to help the two purebreds hatch. They were shrink wrapped. The brahma actually had a cocoon effect going on with her membrane. There was an gap between the shell and the membrane I could have stuck my pinky finger in.

 

[Pozees]

Chick, it sounds as if you may need to boost humidity in the hatcher.

Mayah, I've only ever had one Brahma, and she was the blind hen I gave to a coworker who lives in town, but according to him she started laying shortly after he got her and has been pretty reliably doing so ever since with no signs of trouble. I have a Cochin who has at least as much butt fluff as a Brahma, but maybe the Brahma has more sensitive skin, and trimming the feathers around her vent would solve the problem - worth a try anyway. I wonder if a little extra yogurt would make her poop irritate her skin less? Or some of your kefir?

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Humidity was at 70% all day yesterday. When I checked this morning with two more peepers hatched it was at 80% with condensation forming on the glass. Not sure what else I could do.

 

[Mtn Margie]

Sounds like you are on track. Maybe it is a thing with these high altitude membranes. They just don't rehydrate very well. Or? Are the purebreds from this area?
Let's keep thinking....

 

[krcchickens]

I gave my chicks some grit and lettuce yesterday. I've never see something so funny in my life. They went nuts and its impossible to describe how nuts, it was sooo funny. When one would get a piece of lettuce she would run around in circles with it handing from her beak chirping like crazy. Trying to keep anyone from snatching it. It was hilarious. You guys are probably annoyed with all my silly posts but its so darn cute. I tried to give them bananna before I gave them lettuce but they wouldn't even try it. This is my first time with chickens and I just love them to pieces. This is penguin she's my fave. She likes to just hang out with me.

 

[wsmith]

I gave my chicks some grit and lettuce yesterday. I've never see something so funny in my life. They went nuts and its impossible to describe how nuts, it was sooo funny. When one would get a piece of lettuce she would run around in circles with it handing from her beak chirping like crazy. Trying to keep anyone from snatching it. It was hilarious. You guys are probably annoyed with all my silly posts but its so darn cute. I tried to give them bananna before I gave them lettuce but they wouldn't even try it. This is my first time with chickens and I just love them to pieces. This is penguin she's my fave. She likes to just hang out with me.

That's the part we laugh at the most with chicks. The game of Keep Away...

 

[coloradogal]

Ok, update before I go to bed for a few hours. I have 4 chicks hatched; 1 buff brahma, 1 RIR, and 2 mixes. I have three pips, so hopeful for more in the morning. I am worried though, I had to open the incubator to help the two purebreds hatch. They were shrink wrapped. The brahma actually had a cocoon effect going on with her membrane. There was an gap between the shell and the membrane I could have stuck my pinky finger in.

It sounds like there is a problem with inconsistent variables in your incubator. The conditions should be relatively stable throughout and it sounds as though they aren't. Is it forced air or still?

 

[coloradogal]

I gave my chicks some grit and lettuce yesterday. I've never see something so funny in my life. They went nuts and its impossible to describe how nuts, it was sooo funny. When one would get a piece of lettuce she would run around in circles with it handing from her beak chirping like crazy. Trying to keep anyone from snatching it. It was hilarious. You guys are probably annoyed with all my silly posts but its so darn cute. I tried to give them bananna before I gave them lettuce but they wouldn't even try it. This is my first time with chickens and I just love them to pieces. This is penguin she's my fave. She likes to just hang out with me.

We are all chicken lovers so we understand completely. The newer members learn normal behavior by the stories people share. So keep posting away.

 

[krcchickens]

I w

We are all chicken lovers so we understand completely.  The newer members learn normal behavior by the stories people share.  So keep posting away.

I will thanks they starting burrying themselves yesterday which I'm assuming they were trying to dust bathe?

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Half were purebred RIR and they seemed to have the most issue. The mutts were popping out like popcorn for a while while the RIR and one brahma baby were stuck.

I am now up to 6 chicks hatched. One RIR, one buff brahma, and four mixes. I have a piped chick working her way out.

Another downer for the morning, I may need to cull one. It is having problems standing because the legs are bowed/curved inwards. I am hoping this resolves itself as I can't do much to uncurve bones. Just seeing it walk would be nice... Giving the little one time for now.