December Hatch-A-Long 2014

[ochochicas]

With the stress of the holidays, I don't know how I'd be able to do a Christmas hatch. My chicks are 10 days old now (broody hatched) and I'm glad I can focus on shopping, cooking, and decorating. LOL

Yesterday I let my broody out of the pen for the first time. She ran around the side of the barn and then headed back to her stall quickly. A few hours later I forgot her stall was open and I left on ride. When I got back I heard chirping behind the garage. She had taken the chicks out for a dust/mud bath behind all the dead flowers. Everyone seemed to be having fun.

 

[KDob521]

With the stress of the holidays, I don't know how I'd be able to do a Christmas hatch. My chicks are 10 days old now (broody hatched) and I'm glad I can focus on shopping, cooking, and decorating. LOL Yesterday I let my broody out of the pen for the first time. She ran around the side of the barn and then headed back to her stall quickly. A few hours later I forgot her stall was open and I left on ride. When I got back I heard chirping behind the garage. She had taken the chicks out for a dust/mud bath behind all the dead flowers. Everyone seemed to be having fun.

oh my gosh! I love it!

 

[only1bgirl]

Look at how tiny she is, came out of a large egg but the smallest chick I've ever hatched. She's done a lot of sleeping still not dry but perking up a bit. Kind of wish she was noisy to! I hope the other chicks decide to hatch today.

 

[TheChickenQueen]

The chicks are here! it's in the middle of day 19 and I've got one out, one half out, and a bunch of pips!

 

[only1bgirl]

That's great news Honey Bee, congratulations! Watching wobblers here but no pips yet, little chick is starting to be more vocal, hopefully that will encourage the others!

 

[TheChickenQueen]

Awesome!

I haven't seen any of my wiggle

Good luck and hopefully that get them on the move!
I think the first chick was annoying everyone so they are pipping to go get him and put a paper towel in his beak.

 

[Purpletie3]

Tonight is lock down over here! And after candling all 42 eggs are going into lockdown! So excited!.... Now to find a large box for a temporary brooder....


Oh, and has anyone had problems with mice and chicks? My basement has a few mice in it and it is the only place where I can put the chicks out of reach of 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 1 little brother.

See if you can find an old wooden box and fashion an old screen on it. We even used a fish tank but you have to keep good air circulation and brooder bulbs can fry them. Had to be predator proof in my home.

 

[Purpletie3]

With the stress of the holidays, I don't know how I'd be able to do a Christmas hatch. My chicks are 10 days old now (broody hatched) and I'm glad I can focus on shopping, cooking, and decorating. LOL Yesterday I let my broody out of the pen for the first time. She ran around the side of the barn and then headed back to her stall quickly. A few hours later I forgot her stall was open and I left on ride. When I got back I heard chirping behind the garage. She had taken the chicks out for a dust/mud bath behind all the dead flowers. Everyone seemed to be having fun.

Too cute!

 

[frillydishes]

Mostly barnyard mixes, a couple Easter Eggers, 3 golden comets left, some mystery bantams, and a few White bearded Silkies. So really just hobby birds except for the ones I went to pick up.(EE, GC, and the mysteries). You?

Quite a few mystery birds but all dual purpose. I think the majority are production reds and barred rock but there are some leghorn and amer. in the mix as well. I have 3 mystery bantams hopefully hatching in a week, I'm super excited about those!!

24 are out now, 2 were shrink wrapped so I had to help them out but I figured I'd started opening the box anyway since the chicks were in the water and my temp/humidity seemed to hold pretty well so I might as well. Only 1 more pip so I think I'm through the early birds. I should have a break till about 9pm tonight...unless my math is wrong, I don't think the calculator in my head works so well with this little sleep

 

[frillydishes]

Trying not to worry but none of the other eggs are pipped yet, just have the lone chick hatched who is sleeping a lot! This is day 21 it will be over at 8 PM. I did try to keep my heat in check this time, since I've had horrible hatches and heat spikes before. Maybe it was a bit to cool. Here's hoping!

My first hatch I had 2 early and the rest came between day 23 and 24 so hang in there. I thought I lost them so early day 22 I took the 2 chicks out and candled a few I knew I could see well into and I caught a glimpse of movement so I let them be. Sure enough they all came at once. They all turned into really hardy birds. The wait is AGONIZING though, I feel for ya!