EDUCATIONAL INCUBATION & HATCHING CHAT THREAD, w/ Sally Sunshine Shipped Eggs

[duluthralphie]

I know, everything resting on a bulb. I tried the heating pads but they gave me problems too.

There is no perfect way.

 

[arwenreborn]

Have you seen these? Are they any good?

My last hatch I had 6 successful chicks, but one died about two weeks later - I was devastated, it had been cold so we'd lit a fire, I'd checked on them before I went to bed and all was good but then they got hot and when I checked them through the night one of my little silkies had died, had to raise the heat lamp way up and dispose of poor chicky =( so trying to be extra vigilant and hopefully not lose anymore through my own error.

I'd never heard of heat pads, I don't live on the farm and it's about 15 minutes away so I can't even just run out and check them during the night. They've feathered out quite a bit, and seemed to get hot very quickly rather than cold (ie. didn't follow ANY of the recommended heats I'd so eagerly researched before hatching them, because they seemed to run hot - I ended up moving the heat lamp back so much I doubted whether they were even getting any heat).

 

[duluthralphie]

I have never used one of those, I think they work.

I used a heating pad like one of those, so they could wiggle up to it to get warm. They are ok for small amounts of chicks but I sometimes have more than a small amount.

If I go back to small amounts I might use the heating pads again. Chicks die, that's a fact of chick life.

 

[arwenreborn]

I have never used one of those, I think they work.

I used a heating pad like one of those, so they could wiggle up to it to get warm. They are ok for small amounts of chicks but I sometimes have more than a small amount.

If I go back to small amounts I might use the heating pads again. Chicks die, that's a fact of chick life.

How many do you usually hatch out at a time?

I know, but man I was not prepared for how sad I was when that chick died. Good learning experience though!

 

[duluthralphie]

I hatch "some" at a time, it depends and varies.

 

[kwhites634]

You have 8 boys and 4 girls... they ain't lazy... You have abused women.. they see more action than the Playboy mansion.. Rescue them! You only need a roo for reproduction purposes... that's why DH is duck tapped to our dinning room furniture until further notice..

I knew there was a reason I didn't want to return to Florida. Now I remember what it was.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Now I will have nightmares for a week!

This helps me sleep, knowing some ducklings are responsible and know it is best they remove themselves from the world...

Hey Banty and Fake Eileen....Another chance to use my favorite duck picture!!!View attachment 1163173

Oh the famous train track pic. I'll never forget the day I zoomed in on your avatar and noticed what it actually was!

 

[kwhites634]

Have you seen these? Are they any good?

View attachment 1163175

My last hatch I had 6 successful chicks, but one died about two weeks later - I was devastated, it had been cold so we'd lit a fire, I'd checked on them before I went to bed and all was good but then they got hot and when I checked them through the night one of my little silkies had died, had to raise the heat lamp way up and dispose of poor chicky =( so trying to be extra vigilant and hopefully not lose anymore through my own error.

I'd never heard of heat pads, I don't live on the farm and it's about 15 minutes away so I can't even just run out and check them during the night. They've feathered out quite a bit, and seemed to get hot very quickly rather than cold (ie. didn't follow ANY of the recommended heats I'd so eagerly researched before hatching them, because they seemed to run hot - I ended up moving the heat lamp back so much I doubted whether they were even getting any heat).

@Blooie came up with a great idea a while back; calls it a Mama Heating Pad, or MHP. If you contact her, she'll be happy to help you.

 

[BantyChooks]

Don't use step on my Blue Suede shoes..

Use the cone method.. Kinda like a straight jacket for poultry.. just breaking the neck can bruise the meat.. not everyone likes darkmeat..

My favourite of his songs, ever

I'm too cheap to pay for a cone. Might use a feed bag.

Now I will have nightmares for a week!

This helps me sleep, knowing some ducklings are responsible and know it is best they remove themselves from the world...

Hey Banty and Fake Eileen....Another chance to use my favorite duck picture!!!View attachment 1163173

Awesome, was hoping not to have to make another trip out there! I'm guessing they can huddle together if they need to, we do have a smaller little box in the brooder with hay etc. that I see them in sometimes. I think I need to figure out a better heating system, especially if these bulbs keep mucking up!

Like Ralphie said, heating pads only work for a few birds, not 150 like he hatches at a time... those sweeter heaters are good but expensive. If you try the heating pad MAKE SURE the frame is secure. I've lost a chick and almost lost a guinea (bummer) when the frame collapsed and they couldn't get out.

 

[mlm Mike]

The rest of the show went okay. My boy Echo took second out of ten in the last ring when I sent him in with an experienced handle. I took another fifth with him earlier. The first of the three yesterday was not good because he was not listening at all.
View attachment 1162067

Good job, but yes, bucks not listening happens, especially this time of year.