Hatching winter chicks.

[Athiena14]

3 have started to pip

 

[aart]

3 have started to pip

Squuuueeee!

 

[henaynei]

I didn't know that people incubated in the winter (in cold areas). I live in SE KY and I just started with chickens this last summer. What area are you in? what are your plans for brooding/keeping till you can put them on the ground?

Hi, I'm fairly new too
I live just a bit east and south of you in the farthest NW corner of NC up in the mountians. We regularly get Very cold ( double digit negative temps) with lots of wind during the winter. But I REALLY don't want to brood indoors again this year! So.... I read this article on BYC nrecently - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/yes-you-certainly-can-brood-chicks-outdoors.68067/.
I have a group in the incubator due to hatch Feb 2 - I plan to brood outside by week 2.
Read the article and see what you think

 

[Athiena14]

First out... and a little confused XD I guess my female EE laid brown eggs lol edit forgot about my buff orpington lol

 

[aart]

First out... and a little confused XD I guess my female EE laid brown eggs lol edit forgot about my buff orpington lol

Cute!...now put it back in the bator!

 

[Athiena14]

Cute!...now put it back in the bator!

Already back. Its helping the other 3 that have pipped by cheering them on

 

[Athiena14]

About to go in the brooder. Never been able to get them to fully dry in the incubator. One more just hatched out. Look at that beard.

 

[CoturnixComplex]

About to go in the brooder. Never been able to get them to fully dry in the incubator. One more just hatched out. Look at that beard.View attachment 1644093 View attachment 1644094

My system for this has evolved a few times - I have a tiny, cheap incubator I replaced with an upgrade, so when hatch time rolls around I can pull the occasional stubbornly wet chick out of the main one into the preheated little one on a dry paper towel and they dry off like presto. It's handy for the occasional sick chick, egg you have to assist more than once, etc too. I just have to keep the bathroom both are kept in for hatch time nice and humid so that I don't do damage the other eggs when I crack the lid to nab the chickies.

 

[Athiena14]

None looking like my slw or barred rock uet

 

[Athiena14]

My system for this has evolved a few times - I have a tiny, cheap incubator I replaced with an upgrade, so when hatch time rolls around I can pull the occasional stubbornly wet chick out of the main one into the preheated little one on a dry paper towel and they dry off like presto. It's handy for the occasional sick chick, egg you have to assist more than once, etc too. I just have to keep the bathroom both are kept in for hatch time nice and humid so that I don't do damage the other eggs when I crack the lid to nab the chickies.

I need to get one, money is my issue atm