Feeling like giving up on hatching

[Lucindahart]

i'm having a low day today - I really just try and hatch a few runs, for a bit of fun and 'pocket' money, and did two small runs between September and October that were great fun, and i loved every minute of it - including the point they all went to new homes.

I was really excited to be doing another hatch and the babies were due for Valentines weekend. I was so pleased that for a 3rd hatch i got 19 of 26 eggs hatching.

So far I have lost 2 and think i'm loosing a 3rd. One we had to distroy and it was really ill, one went last night and i don't know why and then one that had spraddle foot (and that i treated with a bandaid) has now become really lethargic and is lying down all the time, and i think i will loose him as well.

It is changing my fun hobby into something that is really hard - I know I shouldn't become emotiuonally attatched - but its hard not to.

I was going to set more eggs this weekend, but now don't know if i want to, as i can't take the hards bits ......Dont know if i would get used to it or now, but after 2 fab hatches last year, this is horrid.

 

[bigstack]

I am so sorry!!

That is terrible! As in most things in life, all you can do is give it your best! The rest is up to God and Nature. I will try not to get attached to my pets...errrr....uhh.... I mean chickens. I was telling my DW last night about how I was going to stay non attached. These beauties are here for a Job. Eggs from the hens and meat from the roo's. NOT PETS!!! They are just so dang cute!!! And all the lil personalities..... It will be hard! But as long as we give the best care that we can, and give them the best shot at having a good life, Its all we can do! The rest we have to trust in god and nature to know and do what is best. Sometimes by our enterfiering in the incubation and hatching process. we cause eggs to hatch that would not have hatched in nature. There by increasing the turn out of sick, weak, deformed chicks. Of course nature still knows which chicks should not be. They in time will not make it. SO, its kind of a tribute that you can hatch eggs that typicaly shouldn't have made it. Unfortunately, Nature will still even out the balance. We Mean so well! We give them the best chances we can! BUT, some just aren't supposed to make it! The ones that do, they have a purpose. whether it be meat, eggs, or pets. They all have a job to do. As do I. It won't be easy! But I will do my best!

Good Luck and God Bless!

 

[Joyryder]

Losing chicks is always tough. Switch your focus on the other 16. Set them up for a photo shoot. Would love to see pics. Did you seperate the little guy and give him some sugar water?

 

[Lil_Chickadee]

I tried hatching once last summer and didn't do well at it but will try it again some day. I do understand the emotional ups and downs of hatching though. Hang it there, it sounds like you did much better than me.

 

[Lucindahart]

How do add photos to this? And someone said something about sugar water???? Please tell me more as i haven't heard anything about giviong that to chicks.

 

[equine chick]

Lucinda so sorry... I wonder if the eggs could have had something bacterial or genetic. How did they look when they first hatched, were they lively or lethargic from the beginning? Anyways hugs to you and hope your next hatch is a better one.

 

[Keri78]

Sorry to hear this too!

Was anything different from before when you success? Different breeds? Different bator? Sounds horrible...just give yourself an emotional break ...this way you'll feel recovered and ready to do another hatch at a later date. We still have PLENTY of time to hatch chicks...it's still only Feb! You gave it you're best shot..but the crazy thing about hatching is that it's not in our control...

Blessings, Keri

 

[Lucindahart]

Thanks Guys

help and advsie is making me feel better. all the ones i am losing are lemon cuckoo orpingtons - from bought hatching eggs. the other colour chicks, from different stiock are doing really well, so i guess its that batch that is the problem.

any help or advise is hugeley welcome.

 

[Keri78]

I've heard that the more intricate the breed the more issues you may have when hatching eggs. Hubby says it's b/c of women trying to breed "pretty chickens"!!!

Oh well...how can we help it when there's a possibility of a "LEMON CUCKOO ORP"!!!!!

Let us know how you make out! PS...I think Lemon Cuckoo Orps are illegal in your state...you'll have to give them to me QUICKLY!!!

Blessings, Keri

 

[bigstack]

For the sugar water. I add tbl sp. of sugar to a quart waterer. It helps give them a lil more energy. Some use more sugar some use less. This works for me. It helps them to get up and moving. wich makes them hungry and thirsty. so its a circle. sometimes it helps with a slugish chick.

Good Luck and God Bless!