First time incubator questions.

Date sort Score sort
I just moved them into their brooder. I made a brooder cave for their heat area instead of using a heat lamp. I made them a little sugar salt water and gently put each of their beaks in it to show them where the water is, and did the same for their food. I have an old door grate over the top of it so little boys, and cats can't get in it. I placed each chick into the heat cave so they could see where the heat is. The smallest one kept running out lol. I think it's name is going to be Arlo lol. So we have Amelia, Mr Nibbles, Arlo, Dusty, and Baby. I'll get a pic posted after they get a chance to adjust to their brooder.
 
DesertBrahma said:
I just moved them into their brooder. I made a brooder cave for their heat area instead of using a heat lamp. I made them a little sugar salt water and gently put each of their beaks in it to show them where the water is, and did the same for their food. I have an old door grate over the top of it so little boys, and cats can't get in it. I placed each chick into the heat cave so they could see where the heat is. The smallest one kept running out lol. I think it's name is going to be Arlo lol. So we have Amelia, Mr Nibbles, Arlo, Dusty, and Baby. I'll get a pic posted after they get a chance to adjust to their brooder.
Click to expand...


I have never heard of feeding them sugar salt water, What is the reasoning behind that?
 
It's already 3:00pm and this is the only one that has hatched. There was another one that attempted to pip and gave up. I'm kind of bummed; she/he doesn't have a sybling, so it's looking like I'm getting a new best friend. lol and a needy one at that. She doesn't chirping unless I go and put my hand next to her. I don't want to encourage her and I am hoping she'll take a nap soon. I have given her a little bit of bread dredged in milk and some millet seed with her food, and dipped her beak in water, but she's not interested yet.
 
Last edited:
It's for electrolytes. The sugar gives a bit of energy, and the salt has some minerals. I know they can survive up to 3 days on the yolk but I just want to make sure they're okay.
chant, that's rotten the others didn't hatch. Were those the only 2 eggs you were incubating? Or do you have more in there? Don't give up on them yet. Remember some can hatch a bit later. Give them a couple more days until you give up.
These chicks are running around like crazy exploring their little world. They're very active, and cheering at each other, or climbing on top of the heat cave and then they can't figure out how to get down lol. They're so adorable. Arlo is the smallest, and feisty as can be. He/she body checked another chick for his/her spot lol. I'm going to dip their beaks in the water and food containers again this evening to remind them where it is.
 
DesertBrahma said:
It's for electrolytes. The sugar gives a bit of energy, and the salt has some minerals. I know they can survive up to 3 days on the yolk but I just want to make sure they're okay.
chant, that's rotten the others didn't hatch. Were those the only 2 eggs you were incubating? Or do you have more in there? Don't give up on them yet. Remember some can hatch a bit later. Give them a couple more days until you give up.
These chicks are running around like crazy exploring their little world. They're very active, and cheering at each other, or climbing on top of the heat cave and then they can't figure out how to get down lol. They're so adorable. Arlo is the smallest, and feisty as can be. He/she body checked another chick for his/her spot lol. I'm going to dip their beaks in the water and food containers again this evening to remind them where it is.
Click to expand...


Out of what seemed to be 21 viable eggs (out of the original 24 - 3 didn't look fertile), we got 2 living chicks, and 3 died unzipping themselves, and the rest looks d like the humidity may have been to low I guess; the cell sizes were all different depths. They both took over 7 hrs. to get out of the egg. They're like little hero's for that huge feat!
We're getting about 6-10 eggs a day from my ladies and got another Bresse rooster a couple of weeks ago, so maybe that will help in one area. And, I started saving the Bresse hen's eggs about 4 or 5 days ago (plus the 2 from this morning) so I am starting again.
One of the ladies at the farmer's market I go to has the same set up I do, got 21 of her eggs to hatch just last week without using any other thermometer or hygrometer but it what came with the LG, and she kept her humidity at 40% until lockdown then upped it to 70%. So that's what I'm trying now. Maybe I was over thinking it before. IDK, but we're about to find out.
My 1st chick came a day early and because I didn't want to mess with the temps I didn't take out of the Bator until she was dry... now the poor thing has to wear a bandaid to hold his spraddle legs together (it's aweful to watch her try to get around and just as aweful to watch her do the splits all the time). The 2nd 1 I took out after he 6 hrs. I was waiting for the connected eggshell to fall off from his butt, but cord thing just dried up and I had to remove it, and open his left eye several times. They're both doing really great now though. I think the 2nd 1 is a boy because he's already popping his chest out at my hand lol when I put my hand in there box. I will be working with him m on his attitude. lol I think the other 1 is a girl because she seems sweet no matter how many times I screwed up putting the bandaid on her legs she still just wants to be with me and tries to run toward me when she sees me. AWE! :)

I'm really super happy for the success you had with your hatch Brahma momma and greatful to you for starting this thread. Additionally, I am so greatful to everyone who participated with all the support and encouragement and advice. Though my journey to mastering this process is still clearly in the beginners stages I'm not going to give up... I will just buy more Kleenex and persever ;)
 
Hey guys just got my incubator today which is a Genesis and was wondering if I have to let it run q whole day then put the eggs in? Or should I just place them in now? It's been running for like 2-3 hours
 

Similar threads

Clmirabilio92
    • Like
Incubation attempt 2
Replies
5
Views
529
luvmychicks79
luvmychicks79
wolfinator
    • Like
Question on hatching several species in same incubator...
Replies
7
Views
218
Ridgerunner
Ridgerunner
Lelilamom
Candler is 0 for 16.
Replies
3
Views
200
Susan Skylark
Susan Skylark
Rethia
Least invasive checking/weighing during incubation
Replies
7
Views
660
GodLovesU
GodLovesU
D
    • Love
    • Like
First time hatching from my own flock
4 5 6
Replies
54
Views
3K
Slothinc
Slothinc

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom