First hatch going into "lockdown" this afternoon...

[Lesalynn]

Congrats, Lauren!!!!!

 

[LaurenM23]

Two chicks and a third egg has pipped! We should get at least three!!! I literally got to watch #2 zip and hatch!!! Pics to follow!

 

[LaurenM23]

So far we have three healthy chicks! Two came out of the smaller end of the egg...not sure why that is. If there is anything in any of the other eggs, they're awake now...these little babies are bouncing all over the place. If today is Day 21, could we still be looking for more pips?

 

[Lesalynn]

Yes, Lauren, you can still have more to hatch. Give them til at least day 24. Sometimes you have some late bloomers. I'm glad to hear the other 3 are doing great.

Keep us posted on the rest of the eggs, ok?

 

[LaurenM23]

We lost number 3. I am absolutely heartbroken.

All three had fluffed up well, so we made sure that the brooder was set up and warmed to about 99 degrees. I reached in and picked up each chick individually and dipped their beaks in their waterer on the way in. They settled down together nicely, then explored a bit. I came back in to check on them and #3 was out on her own. I thought it was weird, but being the youngest, I figured maybe she was tired and just stopped to rest.

She was laying on her side and her beak was opening and closing...almost like panting. She was flapping and moving her head every so often, so I wasn't sure if she was just sleeping funny. She got onto her back a little and started flapping and kicking her feet (not quickly in obvious distress). She cheeped some. I reached in and tipped her back onto her side (in case she felt she was stuck on her back). She went limp and stopped breathing. Just like that. Gone.

I have no clue what happened. Did she choke or was she not able to breathe? Did she have a little heart attack from the stress of the day (birth/moving to the brooder)? I placed her in a small box inside the brooder...still under the lamp just in case she's playing opossum, but away from the others so they can't peck her. I can't believe this has happened.

I also candled the remaining eggs...all appear to have either been bloodrings or stopped fairly early on in development.

 

[Xanthro]

I'm sorry you lost a chick. Some simply don't make it, but it's always sad.

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

I'm sorry for your loss and jubilant for the successes! I had some heartbreak today myself: two buff orpington chicks hatched healthy to just die in the brooder for no obvious reason. Searched the box and found a wasp. Thinking it stung my babies and killed them. : ( Think of me and I'll think of you...

 

[LaurenM23]

Oh how terrible!!! I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers and good wishes for any others that you have...babies and otherwise. I know that this comes with the territory, but it's sad nonetheless. To have worked so hard to hatch, yet survive for so little. Tragic.

 

[LaurenM23]

Alright...pic time! Here are our two new babies...one is an SPPR and the other is a Black Jersey Giant. Surprise! haha The one facing the camera is #3 who passed. They weren't 100% fluffed yet, but are now. I'll take more pics of the two this evening!

 

[toto65]

Can you get apicture of the black one head on? He looks so much like a couple that I had hatch last week. Eggs were given to me and I don't know what kid they are but that little one looks a lot like him, black with dark legs and beak. Even the fluffy pale colored butt are the same. I will try to get a better pic of mine if you are willing to compare chicks!