I love hatching and raising chicks. Hubby and I have been going full steam on hatching chicks this year. We are hatching for numbers of reasons, such as recycling our current flock, selling chicks, and having freezer meat. All is well and its been so fun and rewarding... Of course, until death starts showing it's face among my newly hatched chicks.
Yesterday was day 21, and I already have 15 chicks in the brooder. However, I have already lost two to Omphalitis, and I'm afraid I have about 2 or 3 more chicks that look questionable. (One is currently very lethargic). I am trying what I can at the moment, keeping the brooder as clean as possible, applying iodine to some of the questionable chicks with big scabby belly buttons. Its just becoming saddening and its starting to get to me. I know I can't save them all... But I suppose that's a risk we take when incubating, hatching and raising new chicks.
I know my incubator is partially to blame. It has caused me issues with my chicks before. I'm almost certain at times it's a degree too hot, but even if so, how do I control it?
Sorry all. Just some hatching blues
Yesterday was day 21, and I already have 15 chicks in the brooder. However, I have already lost two to Omphalitis, and I'm afraid I have about 2 or 3 more chicks that look questionable. (One is currently very lethargic). I am trying what I can at the moment, keeping the brooder as clean as possible, applying iodine to some of the questionable chicks with big scabby belly buttons. Its just becoming saddening and its starting to get to me. I know I can't save them all... But I suppose that's a risk we take when incubating, hatching and raising new chicks.
I know my incubator is partially to blame. It has caused me issues with my chicks before. I'm almost certain at times it's a degree too hot, but even if so, how do I control it?
Sorry all. Just some hatching blues

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