FEB HATCH-ALONG THREAD ...COME JOIN US.... EVERYONE!

[Brookhavens]

Well I just set my Serama eggs. Took me about 30 minutes messing with the incubator. But it's done! Instead of the 12 I thought I was going to set, I was able to squeeze in 4 extras! So I ended up setting 16. My incubator is very, very squished right now. I don't even want to open it.

WOW!! Great job at getting them to all stand up.

 

[Brookhavens]

Thank a ton!!!
I have Been reading and trying to fig out what I would use for bedding I am excited now!
U guys have been a lot of help!!!

Tractor supply has it for $5/bag but I think the sale ends today. Best stuff I have ever used in the brooder. The pellets are too big for the chicks to eat and it drys out the poop real fast.

 

[coldupnorth]

Quote:

So reassuring when the little heartbreakers make it! Congrats!

 

[Arkansas81]

I've used the pellets all throughout my coop and it seems to do a very nice job! I am going to need to get some more bags though, we've had very nasty, rainy weather

. I hope that our weather starts leveling itself out again. Man it is such a mess outside, and the wind

. It's still very cold here so I am looking forward to warmer, less windy days. The coop isn't as soupy as it has been. I am trying to keep it as dry as I can, but sure isn't easy.

Anywho I am defentally sold on the pellets...I will use it for the chicks. They sure are stinky...my big birds don't eat the pellets at all. I dont think they have figured out what they are but not even a peck.

Thanks again!

 

[Caitlin_VT]

I've used the pellets all throughout my coop and it seems to do a very nice job! I am going to need to get some more bags though, we've had very nasty, rainy weather

. I hope that our weather starts leveling itself out again. Man it is such a mess outside, and the wind

. It's still very cold here so I am looking forward to warmer, less windy days. The coop isn't as soupy as it has been. I am trying to keep it as dry as I can, but sure isn't easy.

Anywho I am defentally sold on the pellets...I will use it for the chicks. They sure are stinky...my big birds don't eat the pellets at all. I dont think they have figured out what they are but not even a peck.

Thanks again!

I use a mixture of pre-soaked and unsoaked pellets for my coop. (I have a small coop, only 5 hens). I use a cat litterbox scoop to sift out wet spots and poop clumps. Works well, although better in the summer than the winter (everything freezes!).

 

[TheH Klan of 10]

That sounds great! When i was a girl we used to use newspaper .... Yucky and stinky I hated cleaning out the brooder lol

 

[TarheelBirdy]

I should say, absorbs any moisture... Plus, the chicks can't/don't seem to eat it.

I haven't used it for the chickens yet, but use it for the horses and LOVE it.

 

[refamat]

Hi Cynthia12

Sure would have liked better but it's great to hear you have a good group going. Our experience with shipped eggs goes from one end of the spectrum to the other when we ordered in the past. If crispy has made it this far, it's got a strong system. It may be subject to a delayed or stunted growth regardless of what you do. It'll be needing water though to keep it hydrated.
Mark

 

[little1523cacklers]

I am hatching my first chicks they are a mixed bunch off eggs from mcmurry hatchery called the rarest of rare and one has started piping this morning i am so excited.

 

[gapeach717]

A few notes:

-to avoid rotten eggs next time, cull nonviable eggs earlier in the process. Make sure there are signs of life before lockdown, as a rotten egg can and will explode in the incubator, killing the chicks and unhatched eggs inside

-the dried goop I think is from low humidity. I had chicks like this my first hatch, and I did run the humidity quite low near the end to try and get larger air cells in a lot of them. Anyway, wash them with warm water, as close to 100 degrees as you can get it, and dry thoroughly with a towel and blow dryer. I used a wet washcloth on the ones that weren't too bad. Rubbing "against the grain" with get the fluff to stick up.

Shrink wrapped: before pipping, both inner and out membranes dry tight around the chick; caused by too little humidity throughout incubation

Sticky chick: after pipping, the liquids dry becoming glue-like followed by concrete-like; caused by too little humidity during lockdown

Just some ideas for next time! It sucks, but ya live and learn

THANK YOU!!

next question, what is the most humane way to dispatch an half born chick? My last one is bleeding from the egg....