Consolidated Kansas

[Hawkeye95]

No, that was dumb. By the time the towel gets warmed up the incubator will be ready. I read somewhere, though, that eggs can go through a power outage and still be okay as long as it's not like hours and hours. I think you're still okay. How frustrating! I feel your pain. Me thinks that wasn't God, it was the debil!

I never realized he hated baby chicks too, but now I'm sure of it.

I'm losin' it, aren't I?

I just found out that my DS, upon discovering the newly hatched chick, was caught by big sister picking up the eggs to examine for pips with his normal amount of excess force and motion.

I am not pleased. I didn't even bother asking him if he shook them because he'd never admit it. Crap. He's just the egg shaking type too. He's one of those kinesthetic learners -- thinks with movement. Trouble is, many times the thinking is grossly under-represented in proportion to the ridiculous amount of movement. Have you ever watched a kid swinging really high suddenly decide he can do a perfect somersalt at the low point with no actual experience in airborn somersalts? I have and it's not a pretty sight.

If a chick is about to pip and they, say, get caught in an earthquake, will they still survive? Since they should be hatching today and tomorrow?

Yes, I think my own DS shook up the egg a week ago that was developing and suddenly stopped. He DID admit to it later that night and was upset about it. He said he thought if he shook it, it would be clearer. It's NOT the Magic 8 Ball!! Anyway, I bet your babies are okay since they are mostly formed and ready to go and aren't in that delicate developing stage where they are growing out veins from the center. Anyway, I totally understand the lack of control and motor functions kids have, they are just ROUGH on everything.

Hawkeye-If your bator is up and running and the power is back on I would stick them back in. Sometimes broodies get caught of the nest for several hours (I had one that got trapped out of her nest for almost 12 hours while I was gone for the day) and the eggs still hatch. They might just be a bit later because they cooled but if they are due to hatch shortly they are pretty resilient at that point and are generating some of their own heat too. I would hate for your broody to kick one out of the nest and crack it with them being so close to hatching. Don't worry, it will all be ok!! You will have babies before you know it. When I first starting hatching I had so much trouble, now I am up to eyeballs in chicks on hatch day. You just figure out what works for you and your location. Remember, the air temp in the bator drops a lot faster than the egg temp does. I have opened a bator for a few minutes and it has dropped several degrees but my homemade "real egg" thermometer is only down a degree or so. The eggs don't temp swing as much as the air does.

Thank you!! I had two new ones in there, too... so maybe they will be okay. They are only on day 2 or 3-- I can't tell if they are good or not.

 

[tweetysvoice]

Hey all! Haven't been posting lately - been super busy this past week! I've been following along, so sorry if i've missed any congrats and sorries.

Got the rest of my garden planted. I'm pretty sure it's not going to frost anytime soon - Earl May thinks i'm safe as well: I love tending to new plants!



My girls are growing so fast! I didn't realize how fast they would grow - I'd heard stories, but actually seeing new feathers come in overnight is amazing! Thought I'd share a few pics:


Ducky and Quakers both are starting to HONK! That means they are girls, right???



The coop will be built next week!! I'm ready to get them outta the house! LOL

 

[ChooksChick]

Thanks, our power came back on! It was off over an HOUR!! Geesh! My broody didn't kick any of them out, either. I just put them back in the incubator a couple minutes ago as it came back up to temp. I had it smothered under blankets to try to keep it some what warm. I figure these eggs are toast, though. I can't see anything growing in them and I checked them yesterday. They should be about 5 days by now, and nada. I think with the temperature swings in the incubator and now this... I'll give them a few days and I guess I'm starting over. This is so darned frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darling, you need to get on Mahonri's Easter Hatchalong and read along with all of us- you're stressing WAAAAAAAY too much. Temp swings have to be fairly drastic and long to have a really negative effect. I've had broodies get off the nest in 30 degree weather and go sit on a different nest for HOURS and still have a great hatch. It's going to be fine!

Generally, I don't candle until day 9 or 10, just because it's too much guesswork prior to that. Deep breaths. It's OK!!

(I was worse than this when I started, so I KNOW!!)

 

[ChooksChick]

Hey all! Haven't been posting lately - been super busy this past week! I've been following along, so sorry if i've missed any congrats and sorries.

Got the rest of my garden planted. I'm pretty sure it's not going to frost anytime soon - Earl May thinks i'm safe as well: I love tending to new plants!



My girls are growing so fast! I didn't realize how fast they would grow - I'd heard stories, but actually seeing new feathers come in overnight is amazing! Thought I'd share a few pics:


Ducky and Quakers both are starting to HONK! That means they are girls, right???



The coop will be built next week!! I'm ready to get them outta the house! LOL

Lovely gardens! Yes, that's girl-noise.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Darling, you need to get on Mahonri's Easter Hatchalong and read along with all of us- you're stressing WAAAAAAAY too much. Temp swings have to be fairly drastic and long to have a really negative effect. I've had broodies get off the nest in 30 degree weather and go sit on a different nest for HOURS and still have a great hatch. It's going to be fine!

Generally, I don't candle until day 9 or 10, just because it's too much guesswork prior to that. Deep breaths. It's OK!!

(I was worse than this when I started, so I KNOW!!)

Hmmm.... maybe I will head over that way later and check it out! But the two silkie eggs started to show signs of life at 2 days and I saw veins at that time. Now... nothing and they are day 5. The one died and the other is under my broody getting bigger and much harder to see- it's filling up half the egg. Okay... if you really don't think the highs and lows these babies have had, I'll sit on my hands the next few days and get them to Day 10 or 11 before I check them again. I haven't checked them today and don't plan on it since the power outage mishap. Did you have these troubles, though?? Seems like all the odds are against these guys.

 

[chicken danz]

I could just cry!!!
You will never believe this crap. I was out feeding and watering and saw what I thought were wild turkeys walking around. I got closer and it was the female and the two yearling peafowl that were delivered to me this morning. Some how they managed to get out of the horse trailer they were delivered in. This same guy has used the exact horse trailer with the exact setup to deliver pea fowl before and has let it set a few weeks with no problem of them getting out. The only one left in there is the mature male. I closed the door in the middle and plastic tied wire up so it went all the way to the top in the middle. Then I tied more wire all over the back end, so if by a stroke of luck they go back to the trailer I can shut the door and keep them in.
I haven't seen the three escapes since I started working on the wire. Do you think they'll come back to the trailer?? What are my chances. If he calls will she come and bring the yearlings with her??? This could only happen to me. $300 worth of birds gone just like that!!!! I put a bowl of feed and water in there and another 2 X4 across the top with hopes that they'll come in to roost. The biggest problem is they are sitting right next to the guinea pen and the guineas won't shut up. That can't be good. I'm afraid to move the trailer for fear they can't find it if they come back.
My second pen of guineas laid their first egg this afternoon and I got a bunch out of the first pen.
I also found my first pheasant egg today. It is a melanistic mutant. I was really hoping for Lady Amhersts or Red Goldens. the red may not lay this year any way cause they are still young.
I spent the bulk of my afternoon rigging up that trailer and hoping the peacock doesn't escape. And trying to be sure if by luck the others come back and I can get the door shut they can't get out again.
I also moved the baby ducks and was going to move their pen but got in the middle of the peacock adventure. So now they are in the PVC pen without protection. I sure hope the weather doesn't get bad tonight. I caught all my other ducks except Rufus a crested Cayuga Drake and one Cayuga hen that is sitting on a pile of eggs. I would much rather let them free range but wanted to separate breeds and got tired of chasing them out of the ditch.
I never did make it to town to see my Mom today. There just isn't enough of me to go around!

 

[Hawkeye95]

Hey all! Haven't been posting lately - been super busy this past week! I've been following along, so sorry if i've missed any congrats and sorries.

Got the rest of my garden planted. I'm pretty sure it's not going to frost anytime soon - Earl May thinks i'm safe as well: I love tending to new plants!



My girls are growing so fast! I didn't realize how fast they would grow - I'd heard stories, but actually seeing new feathers come in overnight is amazing! Thought I'd share a few pics:


Ducky and Quakers both are starting to HONK! That means they are girls, right???



The coop will be built next week!! I'm ready to get them outta the house! LOL

LOVE your garden!! I still haven't gotten mine planted. I have the plants now!! I need to get on that. I spent the entire day in town for Preschool, then doing my little charity stunt and coming home to no power. I just got home a few minutes ago-- I ran over to my parents house and we broke out the "adult" beverages. Good thing they are just down the road (a dirt road) because I'm much more happy right now! LOL ANyway, your gardens are gorgeous! I may have to try my hand at that. Seems a pretty economical way to use the space better.

 

[ChooksChick]

I could just cry!!!
You will never believe this crap. I was out feeding and watering and saw what I thought were wild turkeys walking around. I got closer and it was the female and the two yearling peafowl that were delivered to me this morning. Some how they managed to get out of the horse trailer they were delivered in. This same guy has used the exact horse trailer with the exact setup to deliver pea fowl before and has let it set a few weeks with no problem of them getting out. The only one left in there is the mature male. I closed the door in the middle and plastic tied wire up so it went all the way to the top in the middle. Then I tied more wire all over the back end, so if by a stroke of luck they go back to the trailer I can shut the door and keep them in.
I haven't seen the three escapes since I started working on the wire. Do you think they'll come back to the trailer?? What are my chances. If he calls will she come and bring the yearlings with her??? This could only happen to me. $300 worth of birds gone just like that!!!! I put a bowl of feed and water in there and another 2 X4 across the top with hopes that they'll come in to roost. The biggest problem is they are sitting right next to the guinea pen and the guineas won't shut up. That can't be good. I'm afraid to move the trailer for fear they can't find it if they come back.
My second pen of guineas laid their first egg this afternoon and I got a bunch out of the first pen.
I also found my first pheasant egg today. It is a melanistic mutant. I was really hoping for Lady Amhersts or Red Goldens. the red may not lay this year any way cause they are still young.
I spent the bulk of my afternoon rigging up that trailer and hoping the peacock doesn't escape. And trying to be sure if by luck the others come back and I can get the door shut they can't get out again.
I also moved the baby ducks and was going to move their pen but got in the middle of the peacock adventure. So now they are in the PVC pen without protection. I sure hope the weather doesn't get bad tonight. I caught all my other ducks except Rufus a crested Cayuga Drake and one Cayuga hen that is sitting on a pile of eggs. I would much rather let them free range but wanted to separate breeds and got tired of chasing them out of the ditch.
I never did make it to town to see my Mom today. There just isn't enough of me to go around!

Agh!! Sooooo sorry. Just keep putting food out and don't spook them when they come around. They may not get penned again, but they may learn where home is. I'd definitely get some cat food- the canned kind, and some tuna. They love that stuff!

 

[chicken danz]

I just saw them out on my loafing shed. The birds were all yelling. I'm thinking tomorrow I am either going to move guineas somewhere or get DH to move the trailer where they can still find it. I think they would probably be in there if it weren't for all the other birds yelling. I put dog food and grain and peanut butter in there because their old Dad said they loved peanut butter. Worst case scenario with that is if the dogs find the peanut butter and move into the trailer. He said they've been readily going into the trailer for a few days to eat except the peacock daddy. And he was there this morning. Since he is the one I still have captive maybe, just maybe they'll all move in there to eat at some point. I was just relieved to see them again. They can roost in the barn or the shed for the night if they don't feel comfortable going to the trailer.
So It looks like my tomorrow is going to be busy too.
I went out and hung a heat lamp in the PVC tractor and threw an old quilt over that corner so the baby ducks could get out of the wind if they wanted. I hope that gets them through the night until I can get the tractor hooked up and move their pen tomorrow.
I had my second Sabastopol hatch today but he pipped and got stuck in the shell. I had to help him out. I hate doing that. It makes me really nervous. I have one more egg and it is pipped but just barely. Looks to me like they grew a bit too large for their shells. I might have to try any future hatches in one of the bators that doesn't hold the humidity quite as high, although I made sure to put it in the range that was recommended.
I cleaned an mopped the floor in here before I went outside. Chopper found my box of egg shells again and made a mess with them and of course when I thought he would be sleeping he pooped about 5 times too. He is so funny but he is worse than any other animal I've ever had to keep up with.

 

[Hawkeye95]

I could just cry!!!
You will never believe this crap. I was out feeding and watering and saw what I thought were wild turkeys walking around. I got closer and it was the female and the two yearling peafowl that were delivered to me this morning. Some how they managed to get out of the horse trailer they were delivered in. This same guy has used the exact horse trailer with the exact setup to deliver pea fowl before and has let it set a few weeks with no problem of them getting out. The only one left in there is the mature male. I closed the door in the middle and plastic tied wire up so it went all the way to the top in the middle. Then I tied more wire all over the back end, so if by a stroke of luck they go back to the trailer I can shut the door and keep them in.
I haven't seen the three escapes since I started working on the wire. Do you think they'll come back to the trailer?? What are my chances. If he calls will she come and bring the yearlings with her??? This could only happen to me. $300 worth of birds gone just like that!!!! I put a bowl of feed and water in there and another 2 X4 across the top with hopes that they'll come in to roost. The biggest problem is they are sitting right next to the guinea pen and the guineas won't shut up. That can't be good. I'm afraid to move the trailer for fear they can't find it if they come back.
My second pen of guineas laid their first egg this afternoon and I got a bunch out of the first pen.
I also found my first pheasant egg today. It is a melanistic mutant. I was really hoping for Lady Amhersts or Red Goldens. the red may not lay this year any way cause they are still young.
I spent the bulk of my afternoon rigging up that trailer and hoping the peacock doesn't escape. And trying to be sure if by luck the others come back and I can get the door shut they can't get out again.
I also moved the baby ducks and was going to move their pen but got in the middle of the peacock adventure. So now they are in the PVC pen without protection. I sure hope the weather doesn't get bad tonight. I caught all my other ducks except Rufus a crested Cayuga Drake and one Cayuga hen that is sitting on a pile of eggs. I would much rather let them free range but wanted to separate breeds and got tired of chasing them out of the ditch.
I never did make it to town to see my Mom today. There just isn't enough of me to go around!

OMGosh! I must have posted at the same time as you-- I just saw this! This is terrible!! I sure hope they stick around and will come back. I don't know that you'll catch them again... If you could lure them into something when they come back and get comfortable and get a gate shut behind them without them realizing it. OH wow... SO SORRY!! Did you call the guy to tell him they escaped from his trailer? What a mess-- that is waaaay worse than my woes. So sorry you didn't see your mom today, I hope tomorrow is much better for you.