FEBRUARY HATCH-A-LONG come join in

[quiltnchik]

GotChicken? :

I just wish they'd stop sleeping on the sponges so they'd dry out.

Isn't it funny how they like to do that? I guess maybe they try to help us keep the humidity high enough for the ones that haven't hatched. Those little wet bodies will drive it up every time!

 

[chickenmeadow]

Quote:
For a quick brooder, use a series of sizes starting with smaller clear plastic storage container (found at any department store). Hang a red heat lamp over it on one side, so there's a warm side & a cool side for them. Put a wire mesh lid over it. Spread starter crumbles over papertowels, with a layer of that no skid shelf liner over the paper towel so they don't get spradle leg. Add a small water dish with non irridecent marbles so they don't drown in the water. Good luck!

 

[GotChicken?]

AAARRRGGG!!!

I went to check on my chickies, and the one that hatched 'tis morning was bleeding! Apparently (s)he must have yanked its umbilical cord off! I don't have Styptic or corn starch, and by the time I got dressed, went to the store, and came back, it might be too late. So I used what I had - baby powder.

I know, but it seems to be working. The powder has turned pinkish, but the bleeding seems to have slowed considerable. (S)He seems to be weaker, but still active. Hope, hope, hope!

 

[happyhensny]

GotChicken? - crossing for that little wee one

 

[GotChicken?]

Thank you, HappyHensNY.

(S)He has stopped bleeding and seems to be okay, but I'm gonna watch it like the proverbial hawk. And I'm either getting corn starch or Styptic the next time I go to the store (thought I had a full box of CS; now I know better to check beforehand).

 

[cook_kaka_ook]

GotChicken? :

Well, I put 3 BCM eggs in lockdown Saturday. Temps were right around 100 F and humidity was at 67% ( it was at 61% when I took the picture earlier). Incubation temps averaged at 99.9 F and humidity was right around 44%.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/47116_dsc00418.jpg

Before I went to bed Sunday, I shined a flashlight in the 'bator to check temps/humidity, and egg number 5 (the bottom one) peeped at me!

I came home yesterday from work (day 20), and this is what was waiting for me:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/47116_dsc00424.jpg

Egg #1 pipped!

Came back from the grocery store a couple hours later:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/47116_dsc00426.jpg

Egg #5 pipped (upper right hand corner).

Four hours later:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/47116_dsc00431.jpg

Number 5 was apparently in a hurry. (S)He as been giving me fits all night, because it kept climbing onto the sponges and bumping into the heating elements

, so I was forced to open the 'bator several times to make readjustments (did it as quickly as possible - I hope - and didn't affect the humidity much).

Also, egg #1 must have pipped too early, because the membrane was white (dried-out).

So I went into emergency mode, spritzed the egg with water at regular intervals, and jacked the humidity to 80% (more sponges, and filled the bottom wells to literal overflow (it's a cheap cabinet, I can always buy another!

). Thankfully my efforts paid off:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/47116_dsc00435.jpg

Egg #2 still hasn't pipped, but I keep seeing it wobble (it's siblings must be encouraging it to get a move on), so I keep hoping; after all today is only day 21.

So far:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/47116_dsc00439.jpg

I just wish they'd stop sleeping on the sponges so they'd dry out.

Congratulations!! Gotchicken? Great photos too! I have 10 blue and BCM eggs in my bator. I gave up candling (the eggs are too dark to candle). It is very challenging even with my LED flashlight. What method of candling did you use?​

 

[sbarab]

I have had a pretty good hatch. Have 19 chicks in boxes and 1 still in the bator having yolk sack issues. All 5 of my Sunshine eggs (RIR) hatched. 10 of the ee eggs hatched. 1 GCM hatched & 4 BCMs have hatched. Will post photos soon after I transfer everyone to the big brooder.

I did have one chick that I had to put to sleep. It was as if the skull did not totally fuse and there was brain matter leaking out. It also was severely cross beaked.

I also had another ee drown after pipping.

Edited to add: They are so cute!!! A rainbow of fuzzy butts running around peeping and pooping.

 

[hcammack]

I have 7 LF faverolles hatched and one pipped I also have 3 bantam Faverolles pipped.

Henry

 

[GotChicken?]

Cook_kaka_ook: I used a 16-bulb LED flashlight. Even then I couldn't see anything unless I candled from the big end of the egg, and it was usually just a dark blob and the air cell.

Sbarab: So sorry to hear about your chicks. Good vibes sent out to the ones that made it!

 

[Tanichca]

Okay, so at the beginning of incubation, i had 14 eggs. now, i have 4. and its day 24. one egg was good, almost ready to hatch, but, as i said, i opened it up and it died.

Oh man i hope the remaining ones hatch.....

all these happy hatcher stories are making me jealous.