February Hatch-A-Long

[LadiesAndJane]

I know I’m no experienced Hatcher but I’ll give input and ask a question.
Input; I’ve read others who hatched with air cell up. Just like sitting in a carton. with good results. I guess that depends on the definition of ‘good’. Sorry o don’t have more.

My question; did you have them incubating fat end up the whole time? Are they straight up like, or leaned to a side?

Thought I welcome input.
with this next batch of eggs I’m tempted to have them sitting in cartons where the bottom third is cut off. Then maybe tilt them side to side and let them hatch in the cartons also. Was wandering what you all thought.

Thank you I appreciate all input! Yes I’ve been incubating upright the whole time. Air cell end up. The first week at less of an angle. They are in the cut down cartons as shown in photo and there is a hole cut out of the bottom for air circulation. I just rotate them from side to side several times a day. They are at just under a 45° angle I would guess. I’ve done it before with good results. Just started second-guessing myself. They are very saddled, hopefully at draw down it’ll be easier to tell where they will PIP. Just been reading up in the threads and there seems to be a lot of debate. The one that still has a loose air cell I will hatch upright.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Lots of news, but I can't share right now. I am about to do a bit of assisted hatching. Second time doing this (first chick was not prepared to live) but this time I am alone.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Lots of news, but I can't share right now. I am about to do a bit of assisted hatching. Second time doing this (first chick was not prepared to live) but this time I am alone.

If you have time to post and you need help please let us know if there’s anything we can do!

 

[PioneerChicks]

If you have time to post and you need help please let us know if there’s anything we can do!

Emotional support, and you just have me a good supply of that

 

[PioneerChicks]

Does anybody know the cure for a chick with broken toes? I think one solution was a cardboard "shoe" but it is a bantam chick so that might be a little heavy.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Does anybody know the cure for a chick with broken toes? I think one solution was a cardboard "shoe" but it is a bantam chick so that might be a little heavy.

I had one silkie with curled toes this hatch (an assist). I used heavy card stock cut to fit and medical paper tape. Hard part was getting the little toes lined up before taping them. She only had to wear them for a day and a half.

 

[PioneerChicks]

I had one silkie with curled toes this hatch (an assist). I used heavy card stock cut to fit and medical paper tape. Hard part was getting the little toes lined up before taping them. She only had to wear them for a day and a half.

Thank you! I'll give it a try tomorrow when I have extra hands. Sometimes I think it would be nice to be an octopus or spider.

I assisted a little. I clipped away some shell and wetted the dry membrane with coconut oil. Just before I started a family member came down, groaned, and asked if I needed help! But I managed fine by myself. Hopefully she* hatches tonight, I'll have to check in the morning.

*Positive thinking!

Other than that chick, the blue egg from my friends hatched and from the behavior toward my finger, I'm 99% sure he is a he! Three bantam orpington-silkies hatched, and four silkies (ranging from light to dark blue, but I suspect many will end up with buff leakage). I'll have to rehome all the mixes, but I am getting eight more chicks from a hatchery tomorrow. I'll have my hands full for a couple months!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Thank you! I'll give it a try tomorrow when I have extra hands. Sometimes I think it would be nice to be an octopus or spider.

I assisted a little. I clipped away some shell and wetted the dry membrane with coconut oil. Just before I started a family member came down, groaned, and asked if I needed help! But I managed fine by myself. Hopefully she* hatches tonight, I'll have to check in the morning.

*Positive thinking!

Other than that chick, the blue egg from my friends hatched and from the behavior toward my finger, I'm 99% sure he is a he! Three bantam orpington-silkies hatched, and four silkies (ranging from light to dark blue, but I suspect many will end up with buff leakage). I'll have to rehome all the mixes, but I am getting eight more chicks from a hatchery tomorrow. I'll have my hands full for a couple months!

Busy time!
Would love to see photos of the chicks when you have time. Curious about the orp/silkie mixes!
I have groaning family members as well.
They do not seem to understand why I have 2 incubators running with eggs in different stages and sets of chicks of different ages brooding in the living room. Go figure...

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Oh and I have determined that all chicks are "she" until proven otherwise.

 

[TOR]

5 hatched 1 zipping 1 pip hole, but none of the silkies so far are hatching so far. They started hatching yesterday, but the due day is the 24th.