February Hatch-A-Long

[Honora]

Just had to open up an internally pipped egg that was no longer moving or peeping. It was doing both of those thing earlier today. Was wondering why it had not pipped yet, though it has not been 24 hours, 8 or 9 at most. Pulled it out of the incubator, listened, no peep. Made a small hole and could see the chick was fully formed, but quite dead. No blood vessels, it was so ready to come out, but for some reason never externally pipped. It did appear to be malpositioned. Darn these tiny eggs! I wish I had intervened sooner, but normally won't until it has been 24 hours. So sad

I had that happen in my January hatch. I think in my case the incubator temps were too low. It’s frustrating when that happens isn’t it because you wonder if you could have done something different. Sending you hugs.

 

[Honora]

Well my wrong end pip hatched overnight so I am up to 6 chicks & have a new pip also. Unfortunately the wrong end pip has a pink lump on top of it’s head, not sure if it is an injury from struggling in the egg so long or if it’s a birth defect. We’ll see how it does.
I’ll post some chick pics when they are in the brooder. The buff orp crosses look very different from the pure Swedish Flowers; they are bright yellow with some brown patches on the back.

 

[kyeschicks]

I have a question guys, do yall vaccinate for mareks?

 

[LilyD]

I have a question guys, do yall vaccinate for mareks?

I haven't but have thought about it. I know people up here are asking for Mareks vaccinated chicks now since it's becoming more prevalent in our area. Biggest issue is that the vaccine is expensive and if you aren't hatching large scale you are wasting a large amount of it since each bottle has 1000 doses in it.

I also worry about not being able to know when my birds are sick. I am kind of old school in that regard. I want to see the symptoms that they have and this vaccine suppresses the symptoms but doesn't keep them from getting Mareks. So any bird that is vaccinated and then gets exposed can still get Mareks but the symptoms won't kill it and potentially it can then infect other birds in the flock. Since the vaccinated birds don't die fast like birds normally do with Mareks (usually initial symptoms to death is 10 days +/-) the chicken then can become like a little Petri dish allowing the virus to change and mutate into something worse.

 

[LilyD]

Final count after candling out of 42 eggs I had 20 that made it to today (day 13) the rest were definite early quitters or clears. Unfortunately I think the below zero temps are affecting the eggs I'm bringing in causing them to stop developing. Hopefully it will warm up soon.

 

[Courtkneekp]

We’re up to 11 babies now! Still waiting on the last 2 eggs, but I’m so in love

Is it weird that they all look so similar?

 

[LowcoMatt]

Candles a couple eggs this morning. And I don’t think they are internal pipped but seeing movement right at the air sac.
Sad day to go to work LOL

 

[LilyD]

Candles a couple eggs this morning. And I don’t think they are internal pipped but seeing movement right at the air sac.
Sad day to go to work LOL

You get to come home to a happy surprise that's always good. I still remember the year that I was given a little green chicken egg with a bunch of duck eggs and put them all in the incubator. I was so surprised when the little chick developed and hatched.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I have a question guys, do yall vaccinate for mareks?

Yes! Most definitely, I know there’s a lot of debate pros and cons. But I’m also a big believer in vaccines for humans without having to go into that!
I buy the syringes and very small needles, I believe they’re 27 gauge, on line. I have purchased from both Valley vet and from Jeffers pet. I have to have the vaccine shipped express to Hawaii as it has to be refrigerated. This adds a few bucks each to my chick price but people do not mind paying it. Especially Silkies are very susceptible to Marek’s. It is prevalent in the wild birds here and we do have a lot of feral chickens as well.
I’m sure being on the mainland you will have easier access to it if that’s what you choose to do. All of my birds have been vaccinated both ones I’ve hatched myself and ones I’ve bought from a hatchery.
It’s a very easy procedure, being in the medical field helps!

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

My lonely only over the past 24 hours I have way too many pictures of her already, if y'all couldn't tell. Her next due siblings are on day 15 and going strong, so hopefully she won't be lonely for too much longer



These OEGB babies are always so, so impossibly small



On her tippy toes to reach the feed