Diary & Notes ~ Air Cell Detatched SHIPPED Chicken Eggs for incubation and hatching

[sumi]

Well the cold chick did die

And I had one of the 13 hatchlings have to get put down. It was the very first to hatch ( I have a curse with first born chicks) and I don't think it's lungs were fully formed. I think it hatched prematurely, maybe because something was wrong - I don't know. Its down was shorter than all the rest, legs and toes super skinny, and all it ever did was lay on the floor of the brooder, and it started gasping today and the back of its head started swelling like a balloon. I put it out of its misery

But I am very grateful for the 12 spunky healthy ones I have left. And no one else has died from the "chicken plague" although I made gross discovery today. My femal BCM was picking at her feathers under her wings and I saw something crusty. I thought she got pooped on. Nope, when she sleeps turns her head back and buries it under her wings, and her snot runs so bad that she has big green crusty snot pockets under her "armpits".

I thought about trying to clean it, but honestly right now with babies in the house that aren't vaxed yet and the mystery illness I am trying to avoid touching them as much as I can to prevent the spread of germs.

NO! I'm so sorry!

 

[cochins1088]

Sumi, were you able to collect enough eggs for your broody hen?

 

[familypendragon]

I noticed last night that the one of the biggest and seemingly healthiest of the new baby chicks was acting weird. Running fast into the wall of the brooder, spinning in circles, having little head jerks, twists and bobs, tripping and falling over its own feet. I thought maybe a neurological issue so I gave it vitamin e and b12 drops that I have here. Don't know how it is yet today - will have to spend some time watching it when I come back from taking my son to the bus stop. Anyone have any input on this? Experience?

 

[sumi]

Sumi, were you able to collect enough eggs for your broody hen?

Yes, I got her nest sorted and set the eggs today and my, did that turn into an exiting experience? I went out to gather some dried grass for nesting materials, walked along the fence towards the mulberry tree, where there is a lot of dried grass and a paint bucket lid, that someone (probably DS who uses them for frisbees) left there. I bend over, picked up the lid, put it aside and as I put my hand out to grab a handful of grass, I brushed against a snake! I pulled my hand back and for a few long seconds there I looked at the snake and the snaked looked at me and I finally got control back over my body and my mind (which I must've left in the house when I went outside). I said something unrepeatable in decent company, carefully replaced the lid (hoping the snake will stay put, it didn't) and stumbled back to the house, yelling at DH: "I need a hug! NOW" I say stumbled, because my legs were like jelly!

I gave the broody 9 hens as soon as I felt calm enough to trust myself to handle fragile things, i.e. got my shaking hands under control. They are small eggs, so I'm expecting them to hatch a bit sooner than normal. We shall see... Wish us luck!

 

[sumi]

I noticed last night that the one of the biggest and seemingly healthiest of the new baby chicks was acting weird. Running fast into the wall of the brooder, spinning in circles, having little head jerks, twists and bobs, tripping and falling over its own feet. I thought maybe a neurological issue so I gave it vitamin e and b12 drops that I have here. Don't know how it is yet today - will have to spend some time watching it when I come back from taking my son to the bus stop. Anyone have any input on this? Experience?

I've never dealt with something like that. Have you posted in the Emergencies section?

&

 

[familypendragon]

I've never dealt with something like that. Have you posted in the Emergencies section?   & 

Not yet. Hoping it will be magically better when I get to check on it. Glad you didn't get any more friendly with that snake

 

[rbaker0345]

Okay Sally, now you're just taunting me with that avatar. When oh when will you have eggs available! They're gorgeous!

 

[chicksooner]

My calls lasted one winter sold them in the spring. No more ducks ever again

That is about how long mine lasted. Never again unless I can get a mom to raise some on the pond.

Yes, I got her nest sorted and set the eggs today and my, did that turn into an exiting experience? I went out to gather some dried grass for nesting materials, walked along the fence towards the mulberry tree, where there is a lot of dried grass and a paint bucket lid, that someone (probably DS who uses them for frisbees) left there. I bend over, picked up the lid, put it aside and as I put my hand out to grab a handful of grass, I brushed against a snake! I pulled my hand back and for a few long seconds there I looked at the snake and the snaked looked at me and I finally got control back over my body and my mind (which I must've left in the house when I went outside). I said something unrepeatable in decent company, carefully replaced the lid (hoping the snake will stay put, it didn't) and stumbled back to the house, yelling at DH: "I need a hug! NOW" I say stumbled, because my legs were like jelly!

I gave the broody 9 hens as soon as I felt calm enough to trust myself to handle fragile things, i.e. got my shaking hands under control. They are small eggs, so I'm expecting them to hatch a bit sooner than normal. We shall see... Wish us luck!

Well i would have wet myself! Good luck with the hatch.

 

[sumi]

Thanks, Chicks, I managed to keep my bladder under control, can't say the same for my mouth

Now that I look back I can laugh about it, but sheesh, I really need to be careful. We have a lot of snakes here... I think that was the 7th or 8th one we found.

 

[chicksooner]

I nearly stepped on this little guy yesterday. I gave him a 10 second head start to find a hiding spot before I let the chickens out. Not sure if he made it.