Hudson Valley NY *chat thread*

[jzervas92]

I ordered my chicks in February, and now I learned that was not a good idea. Normally I would wait for tractor supply to get their chicks in, but I decided I wanted to do something different. I have never had chicks shipped to my house before so I didn't know what to expect. I bought 26 chicks off of McMurray Hatchery, I picked a few breeds that I liked and the rest was from the rainbow layer assortment. Well of course with my luck they shipped out at 1am on a Friday, so I know they got to the main post office on Saturday night possibly Sunday morning. Well I waited and waited and they never called, I even tried to find their number of course they didn't list it. Well I got a call Monday morning from my post office. I opened the box and only one didn't make it to my surprise. Then the next 3 days was a nightmare for me, I did everything I could but I lost 9 chicks all together. They're 9 weeks old now and running around their coop. I will never order that soon again, it was not fair for the chicks or me. I also was extremely disappointed with the way they shipped them, it was a box with small amounts of hay on the bottom and no dividers, so they all were piled on top of each other on one side. I think next time I want to try to hatch my on or wait till April.

 

[new chick 203]

Just a reminder about the Chick event in South Salem this Saturday! Hope you all come!

 

[LSzajko]

Quote:
Yay!! Fire up that incubator!!!

 

[LSzajko]

Vent plugs are supposed to be out to give Oxygen to the eggs. My chicks are great, I'm hoping that they are all hens! I had a lot of problems with the humidity, that's why only 5 out of 14 eggs hatched. This was my first time

LS the plug is generally suppose to be taken out on lockdown..but you can incubate with the plug open the hole time..I leave it out most of the time. as long as i can keep humidity levels steady. I have read is helps the chicks get more oxygen.. Everyone has their own ways!

Vent plugs are supposed to be out to give Oxygen to the eggs. My chicks are great, I'm hoping that they are all hens! I had a lot of problems with the humidity, that's why only 5 out of 14 eggs hatched. This was my first time

Okay...one plug has been out and I'll pull the other one as well. Humidity is 70%. I've read so much about eggs developing well and then dying when they hatch so I'm cautiously optimistic at this point. IF all goes well, we should have 7 chicks Saturday (from 17 Orpington and EE eggs)

5/14 is pretty darned good carousel ! I hope they're all hens too. I'm not a rooster fan lately. Mr. Blue is quite the punk (and that's not the word I wanted to use but I'm keepin' it clean).

 

[LSzajko]

I ordered my chicks in February, and now I learned that was not a good idea. Normally I would wait for tractor supply to get their chicks in, but I decided I wanted to do something different. I have never had chicks shipped to my house before so I didn't know what to expect. I bought 26 chicks off of McMurray Hatchery, I picked a few breeds that I liked and the rest was from the rainbow layer assortment. Well of course with my luck they shipped out at 1am on a Friday, so I know they got to the main post office on Saturday night possibly Sunday morning. Well I waited and waited and they never called, I even tried to find their number of course they didn't list it. Well I got a call Monday morning from my post office. I opened the box and only one didn't make it to my surprise. Then the next 3 days was a nightmare for me, I did everything I could but I lost 9 chicks all together. They're 9 weeks old now and running around their coop. I will never order that soon again, it was not fair for the chicks or me. I also was extremely disappointed with the way they shipped them, it was a box with small amounts of hay on the bottom and no dividers, so they all were piled on top of each other on one side. I think next time I want to try to hatch my on or wait till April.

So sorry jzervas...that sux. First thing I said to myself when I read this post is WHY would a hatchery ship chicks on a Friday (at 1:00 am no less) knowing post offices are usually only open until Noon on Saturday and most are closed on Sunday?!! I'd be pretty annoyed. Did you call the hatchery?

 

[jzervas92]

The package went to our main post office in white plains not the local post office, so I know someone must of saw the urgent please call package. I did call the hatchery the best they could do was credit my account. I still have 17 chickies running around so I'm doing ok!

 

[LSzajko]

The package went to our main post office in white plains not the local post office, so I know someone must of saw the urgent please call package. I did call the hatchery the best they could do was credit my account. I still have 17 chickies running around so I'm doing ok!

17 is a good start

 

[charlie14]

Ok so I've never done this before, is lockdown hatchday??? Should I open the vents??? I was keeping them closed to keep the humidity up??? This hatching thing is too emotional for me lol

 

[LSzajko]

Quote:
LOL me too! Yes, I'm pretty sure you have to open the vents. Lockdown is 3 days before Hatchday..no more turning. I have 7 eggs on lockdown since Wednesday. Two of the eggs are wiggling and one has a tiny pip in it ~AND~ I heard chirping. I'm not gonna get ANY work done today. I wanna go hommmmme!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[carousel86]

Yes vent plugs out. They need oxygen to hatch. I gave my chicks sugar water when I put them in the brooder. It is very stressful don't expect a whole lot of them to hatch, I got 5 out 14 eggs 3 died during zipping. Tried to help the last one but he was to two weak to survive. Had trouble with the humidity my house is very dry. This was my first time! Good Luck! Keep us posted.