Help, Poor Incubation Emergency, need chicks near Davis, Ca????

[Princess Laya]

So, I am a newbie to chickens. I swear I have read at least 10 books getting ready for this big spring project. I started 20 eggs on May 1st and was fastidious about my temp (three thermometers!!!) and humidity. Today there are only two with life in them. I got the eggs from MyPetChicken. My husband cracked open the discards for me because, I was, well, chicken to do it. There was no development at all, not even a blood ring. I think that they must have been irrevocably scrambled in the mail. I knew this could happen because they send you the mailing disclaimer at least three times. Soooo.... My 4 year old and two year old are expecting chicks. THEY ARE SO EXCITED and we have been sharing this experience with their preschool class. The children are also excited about the breeds we chose (Wheten Penedesencas, Golden Lakenvelders, and Austrolaups), since they helped pick them out. I can have up to 6. But who knows if the two (both Austrolaups) that are still kicking in their eggs are even hens... I am hoping that by some miracle I can find some chicks that I can magically put in the brooder on the weekend that they should have hatched... PRESTO, look kids the others arrived while you were sleeping. Does anyone know of ANYONE that has any of these breeds in Northern California???? Or any place at all that has chicks from a humane source in Northern California? I'd absolutely love to get some any time May 20-24th. Thanks so much.

 

[urbanfarmer101]

I hope you find some, my kids would be dissapointed too. Sorry I don't live closer to help you out.

 

[suzettex5]

HI! Sorry you had so much loss. Unfortunately, it goes that way sometimes with shipped eggs. I got 17 in the mail, so far only 9 are showing life.

As to chicks- if you would like to start over, I have some barnyard mix eggs that have a Jersey Giant dad and a marans/polish mom. We have had a 100% hatch rate with these eggs in the incubator, and we really torment them, we candle them everyday, we open the bator after lock down, we've even had them get cracked and they still hatched! NOT that I am recomending you or anyone do the same. We've probably just been very lucky.
We're in Auburn, but I wouldnt mind driving a little to bring you some, if you want. (no charge for the eggs or anything)

If you would rather just get a specific breed of day olds, go to ECHO VALLEY feed in Auburn, they still have alot of many kinds of chicks, and will special order for you at no extra charge. The phone # is (530) 823-1482 ask for Brooke, she's really great and stays on top of the whole chick operation. All the other employee's are great too!

You could google 'feed stores' or 'farm supply' or 'ranch supply' stores for northern Ca, and that way you might find someplace closer to you.

Best of luck!

 

[Princess Laya]

Thanks so so much suzettex5!!!!

I may at some point want to try again. But my main concern at this point is that there are 14 preschoolers who want little fuzzy chicks to love. They have been putting up a picture from a stages of development cartoon on a calendar every day so they know that when they come back to school on Monday May 23 that there should be chicks in the classroom! My two Astrolaups are still developing properly so I am keeping my fingers crossed. But I am sooooooooo scared that they will reach 21 days and not hatch now! I am going to call Brooke at ECHO VALLEY tomorrow. Thank you Thank you Thank you for the information!