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

[gapeach717]

OK, so egg no. 4 was left outside on top of the coop all day waiting for me to come home from work. I found a sandwich bag and plucked up the courage to knock the shell gently with a hammer. The shell broke very easily - suggesting it had a crack in it I couldn't see. However, can you believe it - the chick was faily well developed and still alive? That egg was cold as stone this morning, I put it to my cheek and felt no warmth at all. It was rejected twice by my broody and spent the entire day (from 6am to 4:30pm) outside without any heat source, although it was a warm day with a top of 31 celcius.
I feel terrible, I should have just buried it or thrown it straight into the bin.

The only consolation is that Nell must have rejected that egg for a reason, and not once but twice - I just wish I had trusted her and disposed of it without looking.

On the positive side, it looks like at least some of the remaining ones will hatch when they are ready.

that would be hard. I dont think i will ever be able to do an eggtopsy. (or whatever you call that) Maybe even though it looked good to you, the broody momma could tell something wasnt right internally. I have seen rescue dog moms sort out pups and even go to great lengths to move pups who were weaker and smaller away from her and the rest of the litter even though it was alive and calling out for food. In the animal world the survival of the fittest wont ever change. Maybe she knew something you didn't?

Looking forward to seeing the ones that do make it!!

 

[Maah]

Well, things are not going so well for my 2 remaining chicks MoMo and Mini (the runt).

MoMo, otherwise healthy chick, had 2 freaky episodes yesterday just out of the blue. I can only describe them as seizures. Sudden spontaneous loud chirping, flailing, and passing out. She did this twice, & I thought she died both times, but she revived... but a bit more of her was "missing" after each episode. After the first episode, I noticed her breathing was more labored, and I "think" I saw her head flick some, and maybe some sneezing (do chicks sneeze?).

Anyways, this morning she was dead.

Mini is quite sad! It's amazing how much those 2 chicks were attached to each other. We have the mirror in there, and put a small teddy bear. He doesn't move from it much. Just lays in front of the mirror, snuggles with the bear, & chirps. I have noticed that Mini has been breathing heavier today, and think I've seen the same head flick sneeze. I don't think he'll be around much longer either.

I think something has made them sick. I don't think it's cocci... though I'm not ruling it out. So I'm not going to get a replacement chick for Mini to keep him company. No need getting some little defensless chick from the farm store sick.

It sounds awful to say... but if Mini is destined to not make it, I kind of hope he goes sooner rather than later. Don't judge me. Mini sure has been a fighter ever since the beginning though... I would have never thought he'd be the last one standing. We hopefully will have some chicks hatch (12 days left), and would like to sterilize everything before they hatch. Please let them be healthy!! Hopefully Mini pulls through!... but I have my doubts.

 

[jphendrix]

Well, things are not going so well for my 2 remaining chicks MoMo and Mini (the runt).

MoMo, otherwise healthy chick, had 2 freaky episodes yesterday just out of the blue. I can only describe them as seizures. Sudden spontaneous loud chirping, flailing, and passing out. She did this twice, & I thought she died both times, but she revived... but a bit more of her was "missing" after each episode. After the first episode, I noticed her breathing was more labored, and I "think" I saw her head flick some, and maybe some sneezing (do chicks sneeze?).

Anyways, this morning she was dead.

Mini is quite sad! It's amazing how much those 2 chicks were attached to each other. We have the mirror in there, and put a small teddy bear. He doesn't move from it much. Just lays in front of the mirror, snuggles with the bear, & chirps. I have noticed that Mini has been breathing heavier today, and think I've seen the same head flick sneeze. I don't think he'll be around much longer either.

I think something has made them sick. I don't think it's cocci... though I'm not ruling it out. So I'm not going to get a replacement chick for Mini to keep him company. No need getting some little defensless chick from the farm store sick.

It sounds awful to say... but if Mini is destined to not make it, I kind of hope he goes sooner rather than later. Don't judge me. Mini sure has been a fighter ever since the beginning though... I would have never thought he'd be the last one standing. We hopefully will have some chicks hatch (12 days left), and would like to sterilize everything before they hatch. Please let them be healthy!! Hopefully Mini pulls through!... but I have my doubts.

So sorry for your loss!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed that Mini makes it!!!!

 

[aprilschicks]

the 8 I put in there a day after the first and I have been hand turning them almost ALL have veining starting already....I think I am already sold that hand turning is better! (thats kinda what momma hens do right??)

I am glad to hear encouragement to not use a turner....I already have a future trade set up for it! (polish!!!)

yep it kind of like what momma does is right

 

[aprilschicks]

yep it kind of like what momma does is right

also look at this aspect when its a momma doing it are her eggs standing somewhat up stright or on there sides?

 

[Debs55]

From my experience today, I would say the egg has every chance to still be viable - however, there may be a reason your broody kicked it out. I guess she will do it agan, like mine did, if she is still not happy with it. Best of luck whatever happens.

So far she has not knocked it out from under her again so I've got my fingers crossed. Today is day 7. I'm planning to candle whenever the weather clears up

 

[gapeach717]

Well, things are not going so well for my 2 remaining chicks MoMo and Mini (the runt).

MoMo, otherwise healthy chick, had 2 freaky episodes yesterday just out of the blue. I can only describe them as seizures. Sudden spontaneous loud chirping, flailing, and passing out. She did this twice, & I thought she died both times, but she revived... but a bit more of her was "missing" after each episode. After the first episode, I noticed her breathing was more labored, and I "think" I saw her head flick some, and maybe some sneezing (do chicks sneeze?).

Anyways, this morning she was dead.

Mini is quite sad! It's amazing how much those 2 chicks were attached to each other. We have the mirror in there, and put a small teddy bear. He doesn't move from it much. Just lays in front of the mirror, snuggles with the bear, & chirps. I have noticed that Mini has been breathing heavier today, and think I've seen the same head flick sneeze. I don't think he'll be around much longer either.

I think something has made them sick. I don't think it's cocci... though I'm not ruling it out. So I'm not going to get a replacement chick for Mini to keep him company. No need getting some little defensless chick from the farm store sick.

It sounds awful to say... but if Mini is destined to not make it, I kind of hope he goes sooner rather than later. Don't judge me. Mini sure has been a fighter ever since the beginning though... I would have never thought he'd be the last one standing. We hopefully will have some chicks hatch (12 days left), and would like to sterilize everything before they hatch. Please let them be healthy!! Hopefully Mini pulls through!... but I have my doubts.

seriously, i teared up reading that....

run free little peep

and hugs to you Maah

 

[aprilschicks]

Welcome!

hello and welcome

 

[PugBug]

Idk, didn't think about that, but they hatched out great the way I did it. Plus I'm bad about listening to my own advice...I candled much more than I should...*insert the hiding under the chair here*

happy it worked for you.

 

[PugBug]

I keep jumping in on others conversations!.But Often ppl use local eggs for a control group with your shipped.
If the locals hatch and shipped dont u petty much know you had it all set right it was just the shipped eggs were messed up.
Believe me i only get 1/4-1/3 of my shipped hatch and i have had pretty many shipped eggs.
Plus some ppl say they get 100% all the time or near it on shipped ...boy are they lucky is all i can say
Everyone i know its pretty common to get about 25-33 %
50% hatch on shipped is REALLY GOOD!! Ask Brook!!Shes had more shipped than i have.
.

I heard about ppl doing that w/ local & shipped eggs AFTER I started buying eggs to incubate. I don't have anyone near me, or know anyone who has chickens to be able to get it. I just decided to get chickens again after not having any for about 10 yrs. The breeds I was interested in I couldn't get local chicks- so that's how the whole incubating thing started. THEN I got addicted LOL Of the shipped eggs I've had good development, my prob is day 18-21!