Hatching Questions... What's normal?

[anniebananie]

So six have now hatched out! I only took pictures of the first five, though, because one literally hatched about a minute before I took the photos. Three (or four, depending on the newest) are Ancona-EE crosses, one is a Buff-EE cross, and one is a Silver Campign-EE cross. Newest could be either Silver-EE or Ancona-EE, because their eggs look identical, and I can't really tell until they start to fluff up! Here's some awful pics though.... Thanks again to everyone!

Btw, in the pic, the top one is the SilverX, the middle three are AnconaX, and the bottom one is OrpX.

 

[gryeyes]

See!? Hatching is not an exact science for the home incubating folks. Patience is so important,,, easy to recommend, hard to practice.

 

[anniebananie]

Exactlyyy. Thanks again for your advice... eight have hatched now, out of twelve eggs, and two more are pipped, but still not hatched. However, one of the babies has her neck twisted really far to the side, like it's permanently tucked under her wing, and she can't seem to straighten it out, even to walk. Is there any chance this might change as she ages? Can I help her? If so, how?

 

[gryeyes]

Do a search for "wry neck" here in BYC and read up on it. There have been others who gave recommendations for how to help such chicks; I have never experienced it so I didn't pay attention.

Sorry!

 

[lillyandlogansmom]

Oh my gosh! They are SO cute!

I am definitely hanging out in the forums when we finally decide to incubate. We've had a broody hen for a while but had never gone the distance. She finally has been consistently on one nest and this afternoon when we went out she had a little head poking out from under her and more "cheeping" coming from below. It's unfortunate the weather here in Seattle is below FREEZING right now! It's crazy! But we've got her warm and she is NOT letting those babies out from under her!