I’m not Mother Nature, but..... My journey hatching broody and bator chicks

[Mimi13]

Since the parentage on some is unknown, what are all the possibilities? You may have listed them somewhere along the way of this thread, if so, please forgive me for not remembering. But it might be fun to play the guessing game.

Yes, it would be fun...and educational! Several of my pullets and hens are not laying so I am not going to list those.

The cockerel is a beautiful Welsummer and here are the possible mothers:
Australorp
Black Ameraucana
Barnevelder
Barred Plymouth Rock
Buckeye
Columbian Wyandotte
Dominique
Easter Egger
Golden Laced Wyandotte
Partridge Cochin
Rhode Island Red
Silver Gray Dorking
Silver Laced Wyandotte
Speckled Sussex
White Rock

 

[Mimi13]

Good Saturday morning from the Motley Chickmutts! They are happy, thriving, full of energy, and full of $#!+ (as evidenced by the paper towel)...with no pasty butt. <knocks on wood>

Prince, formerly known as Egg #9, jumped up on the heat plate right before I snapped the picture. He has eaten his Wheaties this morning.

Chickie Update:

Two more itty bitties hatched a couple of hours ago. The times are approximate and based totally on their wet/dry state.

Egg #11 - Hatched 1/19/19 @ 0400. Mother is unknown, but from chick appearance, may be from the same pullet as the chick I helped.

Egg #1 - Hatched 1/19/19 @ 0400. Mother is my Barnevelder pullet. I hope the chick retains some of the partridge feathering.

Best Buds and possibly the last two.

For whatever reason the Buckeye egg has not pipped, even though there was definite growth and movement on Day 17. After the chicks dry and I move them I am going to candle the egg.

 

[Mimi13]

Here is a pic of my Buckeye egg, the one that hasn’t pipped. It’s day 21 and all the others have hatched.

What did look like a network of veins now looks like “droopy veins.” It looks like a quitter to me.
Should I go ahead and call it a wrap or leave it?
Thoughts?

 

[aart]

I call it a wrap 24 hours after the last chicks hatches.
You might want to open that egg to see what's what.....or just toss it in the trash.

How are the chicks doing with the heat plate?
Might be the angle of the pic, but it looks a bit low.

 

[Mimi13]

I call it a wrap 24 hours after the last chicks hatches.
You might want to open that egg to see what's what.....or just toss it in the trash.

How are the chicks doing with the heat plate?
Might be the angle of the pic, but it looks a bit low.

I will give it till tomorrow morning then. If it doesn’t hatch I definitely will open it along with the other egg, a 7 day quitter. I may have to open it outside though. It doesn’t stink intact, but may after it’s opened. I wanted to take pictures of the embryo at that stage. It will be interesting to see an embryo that made it fairly close to hatching.

The heat plate is working wonderfully. It does look low, but maybe it’s because there are shavings under the paper towel making it puffy and higher in some spots. They are coming and going with ease though.

Also, all are eating and drinking well except the last two that I just put in there. They still like it under the heat.

 

[aart]

I may have to open it outside though.

I always do it outside....just in case it's a stinker.
Also use a plastic bag.
The eggs shown was an egg I found in my front yard...it was a stinker.

 

[Mimi13]

I always do it outside....just in case it's a stinker.
Also use a plastic bag.
The eggs shown was an egg I found in my front yard...it was a stinker.
View attachment 1646447

The bag is a great idea AND I've got that very tool I can use. Thank you.

 

[Mimi13]

It’s the end of the day, but I thought I’d post anyway. All 8 chicks are as sweet as can be and already spoiled. I plan on putting them in the run so integration will be seemless, but I really want to keep them inside, for selfish reasons of course.

These pictures were taken this morning after I uncovered the shavings. They went bazerk scratching.

I put the feeder and waterer on top of the heat plate because of space requirements and it works wonderfully. They can jump on top easily, but I put their little ramp in to learn to use one.

I moved them into larger quarters earlier tonight. Since it was their bedtime they didn’t scope it out much, but hopefully they will enjoy it tomorrow. And, the best thing about their larger place...I can lay down on the floor and play with them.

 

[chickengr]

It’s the end of the day, but I thought I’d post anyway. All 8 chicks are as sweet as can be and already spoiled. I plan on putting them in the run so integration will be seemless, but I really want to keep them inside, for selfish reasons of course.

These pictures were taken this morning after I uncovered the shavings. They went bazerk scratching.
View attachment 1648084
View attachment 1648085

I put the feeder and waterer on top of the heat plate because of space requirements and it works wonderfully. They can jump on top easily, but I put their little ramp in to learn to use one.

I moved them into larger quarters earlier tonight. Since it was their bedtime they didn’t scope it out much, but hopefully they will enjoy it tomorrow. And, the best thing about their larger place...I can lay down on the floor and play with them.
View attachment 1648095

it is 6:30 am here and these pics are great start for my day.

you will definitely enjoy watching them.

 

[Studio Chick]

I worry about my broodies, there's been enough of them now to have seen their... scope.

The perfect momma sits diligently, minds her manners, and does everything by the book.

The angry broody... screams and carries on anytime anything/one gets near, offers up death pecks, doesn't take grief from other hens when leading those chicks around. Might face down a hawk and get carried off in the effort...

The Hoarder... you'd be amazed at how far they can roll an egg, or just how many they think they can cover. Might also have angry broody tendencies.

The half-hearted... I'm sitting! 8 days in! Just kidding. Broody again! Kidding. She never really wanted to hatch eggs anyways.

The copy-cat... You're sitting? I'll sit too! (might also be part of the "just kidding" type, aka the "sympathy sitter")

The "I'm never getting off these eggs EVER"... Not even to poop. I'll starve before I get off these eggs!

The chronic sitter... "These chicks don't need to eat, do they? I could stay here forever..."

The repeat broody... "Sorry kids, at 3 weeks old you're on your own! I feel the call again!"

The great broody/bad mom... "I sat and I sat and then OMG, what IS that? Is there something crawling around under me, messing with MY eggs!?" *peckpeckpeck* ... Not even realizing those were eggs hatching... Every. Single. One.

With new broodies, you gotta give them a go to see what they can do, to learn if you'll ever let them try THAT again.

It's ok to worry a little bit, just don't stress over it. Cover your bases, give her her own space, mark the eggs, wait and see. Kick her off once a day if you can't tell if she's been off.

Nothing stinks worse than a massive, gnarly broody poop, and you DON'T want it on the eggs.