Day 20!

[urbanhomesteader]

Three chickies so far! The first one is doing great. They were all napping till I took this pic.

 

[Jimagination]

My husband just asked why there were tomatoes in with the chicks....How funny is that?!

 

[urbanhomesteader]

I guess if you have never seen Maran eggs it would be a easy mistake to make at first glance. They are strikingly dark eggs.


Speaking of funny. The little ones are already making me laugh. They will be lerching around then they will all plop down for a rest. All at the same time.

 

[zimmy]

Oh Zues I hate... I mean, I very much dislike you *jealous glaaaaare*

Mine are barely three days, and this'll be my first hatch

The suspence is driving me lolo!

 

[jimnjay]

It is ok, in fact recommended to leave the chicks in the incubator untill all hatch. If necessary you can quickly remove one or two after they are dry. They will not burn themselves on the heat element. It is not unusual to have a bit of unabsorbed yolk left but keep an eye on it, especially if any new hatches start to bother it. You can then remove it to a warm quiet place till the yolk is fully absorbed. You chicks will be fine for 24 hours in the incubator.

 

[silkiechicken]

Yeah, I'd leave them in till they all hatch, their drying helps keep the humidity up. They are so cute. Nothing like watching them pop out... granted a slow pop.

 

[urbanhomesteader]

A quick update. Went to bed last night with 5 peeps.
I woke at 3am to 9 peeps mostly dry and fluffing up..

.

I deciced to move them into the brooder which is right next to the incubator. They were out and in within 2 seconds.

I went to work and came back at 7am to check them. All the peeps were fine in the brooder. Had a new hatch in the incubator (#10)and one working hard to get out.

Its 11:30 and I am home for lunch. Another peep in the incubator (#11).

and the last chick trying valiantly to hatch.

Hopefully by the time I get home from work at 2pm the last one will have hatched.

If this last one hatches I will have had 100% hatch rate.

Now all I need to know is-WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH 12 CHICKENS!?

 

[Llysse]

WOW--let's hope you get your 100%!!! What kind of incubator are you using?

 

[urbanhomesteader]

It's just a Hova-Bator 1602N. Without a turner. I think the fact that I was able to pick up the eggs myself made a world of difference. No shipping trauma. Well time to get back to work. Thank goodness I work close enough to check on them every few hours. I would be a wreck if I had to leave them all day!

 

[Jimagination]

Oh, I am crossing my fingers!

Where are you and what kind of chicks do you have?