Emu Adventure

[birdmanmax]

So sorry I forgot to post I have been real busy. But here are the weights form last Saturday the 18 of feb.

Feb 18-week 1:
A-570
B-600
C-509
D-570
E-579

And here are the weights from today feb 25.

Feb 25-week 2:
A-557
B-590
C-500
D-560
E-569

(Keep in mind I do not have that accurate of a scale just using what I have.)

 

[birdmanmax]

Sorry I haven't posted all the weights I got scared I would drop them. The eggs began to move on about the 40th or so. And then peeping began a day or two ago. And the first egg pipped some where between 6:30am. and 11:00am. this morning day 53. And looky what we got here!

 

[birdmanmax]

Whops supposed to say world

 

[mich9510]

So adorable! Congratulations!

 

[birdmanmax]

I just help the remaining 4 eggs up to my ear and tapped them, whistling at the same time. I heard movement in all 4 and a peep in one. My question is why did they all not hatch at the same time? Tomorrow is the real hatch day, day 55. I've read of drilling a whole at one end, I'm just concerned the other 4 won't hatch.

 

[briefvisit]

Deep breath, birdman. The one hatch of a wild clutch on which we have data took four days.

Don't forget that (I understand from the literature . . . ) a female can lay fertile eggs for more than ten days after a single copulation, and that the male may 'stash' freshly-laid eggs on the (winter-cold) ground for several days until the last egg is laid, and he commences the incubation. So perhaps some days of 'spread' for the hatching is well within bounds.

Here is 'Boy Emu.' He has five chicks under him at this point:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/641934/lightbox/post/9561722/id/5293696

SE

 

[mich9510]

Take it easy. Emu chicks can be internally pipped for a looooooong time.i think 72 hours. Resist the urge to "help"
RESIST IT!
they will come out when they are good and ready.
@briefvisit knows what he's talking about.

 

[birdmanmax]

Ok thanks for calming me down briefvisit I'm just bit nervous and really excited! Here in Michigan the winter days probably do make a difference. By the way very beautiful picture of the male emu!

 

[birdmanmax]

I won't help but just wait and wait and wait! I can't believe the first 50 days turning usually 5 times a day felt like nothing and theses last few days have felt like an eternity.

 

[birdmanmax]

This morning was one of the most stressful mornings I've ever had. The power went out well the whole family was asleep or at work, I was awoken by "the emus, the powers out, max wake up" I run down stairs and to my surprise the young emu is still alive! Thank God. The incubator was at 77 degrees so I put towels around it and then went out to the barn. Dragged the generator around and then it didn't start ughhh. So I run around the neighborhood looking for a working generator. I went to my grandparents and they had power, so I brought the incubator up there and as soon as I got the eggs in thier power turned off ugh. So I went to a neighbor and they allowed me to plug it in thank god again. Meanwhile the family cuddled with the baby to keep him warm for 4 or 6 hours but the power finally turned back on. All of this happened on day 55 the exact hatch date.