going into lockdown on my first hatch...nervous mom, please hang out with me....

[Abundance Farm]

It is 530 AM, and I have 5 chicks so far! I had to help one, the first one that pipped yesterday was not in a good position in the bater and didn't have enough room. I just chipped away some of the outer shell and moistened the membrane. I put her back in and she quickly finished the job. She is a little dried out though. We will see how she fluffs out. I also checked the H20, pretty low, and put two small pieces of sponge in there. Where do you put the paper towel? Under the tray? Feeling more confident, but know I am less than half finished. The bater didn't seem to lose a beat and the five of them are in there playing football. I have another zip and several other pips. It is hard to tell though. Definitely crowded. I have 23 in there. I have seen where some folks get 28 in the Octagon. Don't know how they do it, I guess they are better at candeling than I am and are counting on culling some. I am thinking I will move these 5 into the brooder later this morning to make room for hatching. All the ones that have hatched so far are marans so I feel good about my investment. They are so cute! I will try to take some photos. I can see how it would be easy to get more chicks than you need. How soon can you sex them? Have been reading a little about feather sexing, but it seems impossible to me. Will check back here in a few hours. I have to go to work this morning at 10, knowing I will have exciting things to come home to!

 

[Abundance Farm]

There is something wrong with one of my chicks. Seems like maybe her spine is crooked, or her leg is misshapen? Maybe just had a weird position in the shell???? She can't seem to stand up. Any experience or advice? I will be putting this out on the forum also. Thanks


Yes, that one is dieing. So sad.

Definitely something with her leg. Dislocated? I have separated her and either she will make it or she won't. She seems strong and I can stretch her leg out, but it is not as vital as the other and there is a lump on her hip, like it is dislocated, or maybe it is her spine. Really hard to tell. Maybe she will self-correct. Let's cheer her on!

 

[Puddin Fluff]

There is something wrong with one of my chicks. Seems like maybe her spine is crooked, or her leg is misshapen? Maybe just had a weird position in the shell???? She can't seem to stand up. Any experience or advice? I will be putting this out on the forum also. Thanks


Yes, that one is dieing. So sad.

Definitely something with her leg. Dislocated? I have separated her and either she will make it or she won't. She seems strong and I can stretch her leg out, but it is not as vital as the other and there is a lump on her hip, like it is dislocated, or maybe it is her spine. Really hard to tell. Maybe she will self-correct. Let's cheer her on!

Sometimes they just grow wrong in the shell, esp. if they are large for the egg. It is sad but sometimes you just can't fix it.

 

[RookyChickMama]

Aww sad, let us know how it does. Glad the rest are hatching well. 8am here and one is just now trying to zip, it's taking it's sweet time though!

 

[Joanna8775]

I'm very new to the incubator, I have a self turning, humidifying one that takes 9 eggs. I've have hens and they have hatched but my daughter and I thought the incubator might be fun. But it's day 21 and we only have one chick, please advise me, I feel terrible, have I done something wrong? One more is pipping but it will be day 22 at 0830 am tom. What can I do? This poor one chick x

 

[subhanalah]

I'm very new to the incubator, I have a self turning, humidifying one that takes 9 eggs. I've have hens and they have hatched but my daughter and I thought the incubator might be fun. But it's day 21 and we only have one chick, please advise me, I feel terrible, have I done something wrong? One more is pipping but it will be day 22 at 0830 am tom. What can I do? This poor one chick x

leave the chick in the incubator and just try to be patient. It can take a few days more or a few days less than 21 days depending on your incubation parameters. It's not time to panic yet
You took them out of the turner right?

 

[Joanna8775]

Oh thank you, but I took the chick out and put it under a infrared lamp, was that wrong ? It was so squashed in the incubator and kept lying down looking exhausted . It's ok, drinking and pecking. I'll see what comes tommorow. It's really good to be able to communicate on this site .

 

[Joanna8775]

Oh thank you, but I took the chick out and put it under a infrared lamp, was that wrong ? It was so squashed in the incubator and kept lying down looking exhausted . It's ok, drinking and pecking. I'll see what comes tommorow. It's really good to be able to communicate on this site .

leave the chick in the incubator and just try to be patient. It can take a few days more or a few days less than 21 days depending on your incubation parameters. It's not time to panic yet
You took them out of the turner right?

 

[Joanna8775]

I stopped them turning on day 18. ;/

 

[Abundance Farm]

So far I have 12 out of 23 hatchlings and I hear peeps from some of the remaining eggs. Today is the end of day 22, so Subhanalah, you are so right on, and you have been so helpful! My little strange girl (who knows, she might be a rooster) is still alive and is hobbling around. Maybe it is from her position in the shell and she will self correct. We will see. I figured I would give them to day 24 in the bater. Sound right? Meanwhile.....one of my hens hatched out two more from the eggs that would not fit into the bater and I tucked under her already existing clutch. I tell ya, it is hard to stay out of the incubator and it is very nerve wracking. I am a laid back type and I was vibrating with anxiety. I have forgotten that whenever you deal with the beginnings of life, the possibility of tragedy is ever present. That feeling of dread that I might have done something wrong is most uncomfortable. But.....tonight I will be shopping for more eggs and collecting from my own hens for the next hatch. Next time I will do less than 23. Any of you use an octagon and how many do you do? I have one more zipping out right now. I will report back at the end of this process. Thank you everyone.