Grieving my "quitters"... I'm sad

[AUZLDY]

After 25 days we decided the remaining eggs were not going to hatch. Two hatched on day 21. I feel absolutely horrible to find 3 quitters, small bodies. How will I try again? What did I do wrong? I sought advice on how long to leave these eggs and the consensus was these would not make it. Once we decided to end this hatching, I candled and saw only dark. No movement. Thankfully, my husband was with me. We both were sad to see little bodies. Am I a mess? Too wimpy? Not skilled enough? God knows I read everything possible. I appreciate you comments. Now I'll go hold the two chicks that made it and then go to bed. PS... Can't imagine how anyone has an abortion....

 

[AmyLynn2374]

After 25 days we decided the remaining eggs were not going to hatch. Two hatched on day 21. I feel absolutely horrible to find 3 quitters, small bodies. How will I try again? What did I do wrong? I sought advice on how long to leave these eggs and the consensus was these would not make it. Once we decided to end this hatching, I candled and saw only dark. No movement. Thankfully, my husband was with me. We both were sad to see little bodies. Am I a mess? Too wimpy? Not skilled enough? God knows I read everything possible. I appreciate you comments. Now I'll go hold the two chicks that made it and then go to bed. PS... Can't imagine how anyone has an abortion....

Sorry to hear that.

. Eggtopsies can be hard. Especially in the beginning. The first hatch especially is a learning experience. Were you able to deduce anything from the eggtopsies? When you're ready to try again there's plenty of us here that are willing to help with anything we can.

 

[kuchchicks]

X2. I hate doing them but also think they are important. And yes you should try again. The first few are the hardest but you will get the swing of it. This is a GREAT site! So many awesome people who love their chickens (before i found this site i thought i was the only crazy chicken lady!!!). And they are so full of knowledge. Your first one is under your belt. You obviously did something right to have those two babies!

 

[AUZLDY]

Amy Lynn and Kuchchicks...

Thank you for kindly replying. I love my two and will enjoying raising them to join our flock. I learned a lot, worried a lot, and need to ease up. Mother Nature manages these miracle so well. My involvement was by option, I chose to place them in the bator instead the food chain. So, I feel responsible. Heavy load... and, yes, I need to ease up. I DO LOVE this site and will try again in a little while. In the meantime I will keep reading the posts, cheering others, and enjoying the journey.

Pam

 

[AUZLDY]

Amy Lynn... eggtopsies were upsetting and I didn't get too involved. But I would guess they were 18 days old. This is when I removed the rotating tray and candled the last time. Maybe the candler was too hot. Maybe the humidity dropped too much. But 2 survived & are thriving, so I don't know. The others eggs were yolkers... couldn't see any development or sign of blood. I'm open for suggestions of improvement for anyone.

Pam

 

[Teila]

Hey AUZLDY I am also sorry to hear about your quitters.

I do not have a bator and all my hatches to date have been with a broody. I am also very hands-off with the hatches and do not candle; actually, I do not touch the eggs at all during the nesting and leave it totally up to mum.

I was very reluctant to do eggtopsies because I knew that any quitters would upset me. But I have done a couple of eggtopsies and they turned out to be non-developers.

I have, however, lost a couple of chicks less than 24 hours after they successfully hatched.

I guess I am trying to say that sometimes, however much you do or do not do, some do not make it and the fact that you have two beautiful bubs is a reflection that you did all you could.

I do not believe you are a mess, too wimpy or not skilled enough .. and if you are, then I must be also.

Not touching does not mean not fretting and worrying and if crying when I lose one is wimpy, then wimpy I am.

I have read so many posts about the kindest way to euthanize one of our feathered friends and no matter how much I am told that they do not suffer or it is the best thing to do .. I couldn’t do it! No way, no how!

Other posts mention that if you are not able to euthanize then you should not have chickens; may be so, but I have a Vet just 5 mins away who has, when needed, euthanized a chicken for me.

I guess what that I am trying to say here is that loving them, taking care of them, giving them a nice home and a wonderful life are the main skills you need and it sounds like you have those

For some of the skills we reportedly should have but don't, there may just be someone who can help us

 

[AUZLDY]

Tella... G'day! My mum was born and raised in Brisbane... On MacIllrathe near Cooparooh School. That is the source of my screen name. Thanks for your encouragement!
Cheers!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Amy Lynn... eggtopsies were upsetting and I didn't get too involved. But I would guess they were 18 days old. This is when I removed the rotating tray and candled the last time. Maybe the candler was too hot. Maybe the humidity dropped too much. But 2 survived & are thriving, so I don't know. The others eggs were yolkers... couldn't see any development or sign of blood. I'm open for suggestions of improvement for anyone.

Pam

Can I ask what your humidity was for the first 17 days?

 

[drumstick diva]

So sorry for the poor hatch. In the time I've been on BYC, I have heard of many, many failed hatches - even from very well experienced old timers. Sooner or later everyone has them. Even if all conditions were perfect this can happen. Try not to blame yourself.