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

[Mimi13]

you asked for it

And rightfully deserve it...kind of.

 

[Mimi13]

After leaving you a nice big smelly dump, I presume?

Oh my goodness, let me share, let me share! To begin with, I followed her around as though she was walking on fancy white living carpet (definitely not mine) afraid of what she’d leave behind. I mean, after all, if it’s as bad as they say, I didn’t want my other birds stepping in a dinosaur poop, and I was afraid I wouldn’t find it. Ouuughh! Oh my gah! A blind person could find that thing. What a smell, and nearly the size of a dog turd. Compacted like one for sure. However, after a couple of days I realized I didn’t have to watch her poop because my nose led me right to the pile. How in the world could it be soooo stinky?!? So bad, my dogs turned their noses up at it! That is no lie.

The only thing that has bothered me is the fact she has drunk NO water. But maybe since what she’s eating is watery she’s getting enough. Her poops have humongous white caps on them so that should indicate enough liquid I suppose.

 

[Mimi13]

Here are my Day 14 broody egg pictures. I’m still working on the bator egg pics.

First a picture of Miss Molly Marans, my first little broody, patiently sitting on her nest (just a 5 gallon bucket wedged tightly in a Coke crate, with “curtains” wired on and some hay stuffed in) while having to deal with me. Bless her. She has been a trooper so far.

I am so thrilled seeing all the movement in the eggs. There is one in particular that is exceptionally active. I’m going to mark it for identification later. Possible roo? Hmmm. Does the broody also feel these movements that I see? Or maybe not just yet? Isn’t it the chick movements that will clue her in on lockdown so she’ll know not to get off the nest?

Also, I’m curious about the size of the air cell. These don’t seem to be as large as pictures I’ve seen. Since these are under a broody I guess they are fine, but I will worry about a small air sac in the bator eggs since those will completely be under my control, thus my fault. Oh no!

Taking these pictures is somewhat precarious because its hard to hold the egg tightly to the candler with just one hand.

When looking at these eggs under the candler, some of them almost appear as 3D. It’s kind of spooky looking.

Egg #1

Egg #3

Egg #6

Egg #7

Even though it was quite chilly last night, it was a decent 52* in the coop.

 

[aart]

If you are feeding wet food she may not need to drink.
As long as she has access to it, even when you are not there to let her out, I wouldn't worry.

Air cells look OK...they could enlarge more.
Will you candle on day 18?

I assume she can feel the movements...but <shrugs> who knows?
She'll start talking to them when they internally pip...maybe even before.

 

[Mimi13]

If you are feeding wet food she may not need to drink.
As long as she has access to it, even when you are not there to let her out, I wouldn't worry.

Air cells look OK...they could enlarge more.
Will you candle on day 18?

I assume she can feel the movements...but <shrugs> who knows?
She'll start talking to them when they internally pip...maybe even before.

Okay, I feel better about her not drinking then. She does have access to food and water in her little cage.

I do believe I’ll have to try and get her talking to them on video, if she’ll talk with me sitting there. I have made videos of her going back into the nest and gathering the eggs back in place with her wings. It’s very sweet and just as nature intended.

Oh, and yes, I will candle my last time on Day 18. Eeek!

 

[Mimi13]

Here are pics of my very first incubator set eggs. Oh Lord, please be with me on this little venture.

A week ago I set 18 eggs and last night I was able to remove 8. Seven clears and one quitter (bloodring).
I apologize for some being blurry. It wasn’t really noticeable to me and I didn’t realize it until I was through. I cleaned the lens afterwards. Should have done that first.

Egg #18 -from my GLW looks to be a no-go.

Egg #1 is a very dark egg from Brownie, my Barnevelder, and I could not see the air sac. I do not know if this one is viable or not, but I still have it in the incubator.

Egg #2 is from my Buckeye, Bernice.

Eggs #8 & 9. I’m not certain of the pullets that laid these. Just light brown eggs. And these were the blurriest ones I believe.

Egg #10 is from my Partridge Cochin, Coco, I think. I hope it makes it.

Eggs #11, 12, & 13 of unknown pullets. All brown eggs. Again blurry, but I could see a little sumpin sumpin in there.

Last but not least are Eggs #14 & 17. These are from my Easter Egger, Willow (named for her leg color). #17 was my very active egg. I guess I won’t be able to see much activity at all when I candle on Day 18.

All of these eggs are from my Welsummer cockerel, Duke Harry. He loves the ladies and they absolutely adore him. He is not completely comb over spurs about me, but we’re working on that. He is really the one I wanted so I am going to try my best to rehabilitate him. If it doesn’t go well, all these litlins will be put in the freezer. Ain’t it a shame a parent can pass down a bad name on children? Sad, but true.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do. If not, I guess there’s the simple click of an “unwatch thread.” No, no, just joking. I want you to be miserable! Like my DH!

 

[Spudsnsalsa]

So I'm now hooked waiting to see the hatch outcomes . Getting my first chickens in a few weeks and hoping this is me next year this time

 

[Mimi13]

So I'm now hooked waiting to see the hatch outcomes . Getting my first chickens in a few weeks and hoping this is me next year this time

The entire adventure is truly amazing...not to mention addicting. I love keeping chickens. I literally could stay outside with them all the time and be completely satisfied.

 

[WVduckchick]

Oh my goodness, let me share, let me share! To begin with, I followed her around as though she was walking on fancy white living carpet (definitely not mine) afraid of what she’d leave behind. I mean, after all, if it’s as bad as they say, I didn’t want my other birds stepping in a dinosaur poop, and I was afraid I wouldn’t find it. Ouuughh! Oh my gah! A blind person could find that thing. What a smell, and nearly the size of a dog turd. Compacted like one for sure. However, after a couple of days I realized I didn’t have to watch her poop because my nose led me right to the pile. How in the world could it be soooo stinky?!? So bad, my dogs turned their noses up at it! That is no lie.

The only thing that has bothered me is the fact she has drunk NO water. But maybe since what she’s eating is watery she’s getting enough. Her poops have humongous white caps on them so that should indicate enough liquid I suppose.

Dog refusal. That’s saying something!

Here are my Day 14 broody egg pictures. I’m still working on the bator egg pics.

First a picture of Miss Molly Marans, my first little broody, patiently sitting on her nest (just a 5 gallon bucket wedged tightly in a Coke crate, with “curtains” wired on and some hay stuffed in) while having to deal with me. Bless her. She has been a trooper so far.

View attachment 1633637

I am so thrilled seeing all the movement in the eggs. There is one in particular that is exceptionally active. I’m going to mark it for identification later. Possible roo? Hmmm. Does the broody also feel these movements that I see? Or maybe not just yet? Isn’t it the chick movements that will clue her in on lockdown so she’ll know not to get off the nest?

Also, I’m curious about the size of the air cell. These don’t seem to be as large as pictures I’ve seen. Since these are under a broody I guess they are fine, but I will worry about a small air sac in the bator eggs since those will completely be under my control, thus my fault. Oh no!

Taking these pictures is somewhat precarious because its hard to hold the egg tightly to the candler with just one hand.

When looking at these eggs under the candler, some of them almost appear as 3D. It’s kind of spooky looking.

Egg #1
View attachment 1633633
View attachment 1633632

Egg #3
View attachment 1633655

Egg #6
View attachment 1633658 View attachment 1633657

Egg #7
View attachment 1633654
View attachment 1633653

Even though it was quite chilly last night, it was a decent 52* in the coop.
View attachment 1633656

Here are pics of my very first incubator set eggs. Oh Lord, please be with me on this little venture.

A week ago I set 18 eggs and last night I was able to remove 8. Seven clears and one quitter (bloodring).
I apologize for some being blurry. It wasn’t really noticeable to me and I didn’t realize it until I was through. I cleaned the lens afterwards. Should have done that first.

Egg #18 -from my GLW looks to be a no-go.
View attachment 1633753

Egg #1 is a very dark egg from Brownie, my Barnevelder, and I could not see the air sac. I do not know if this one is viable or not, but I still have it in the incubator.
View attachment 1633756

Egg #2 is from my Buckeye, Bernice.
View attachment 1633755

Eggs #8 & 9. I’m not certain of the pullets that laid these. Just light brown eggs. And these were the blurriest ones I believe.
View attachment 1633757 View attachment 1633769

Egg #10 is from my Partridge Cochin, Coco, I think. I hope it makes it.
View attachment 1633761

Eggs #11, 12, & 13 of unknown pullets. All brown eggs. Again blurry, but I could see a little sumpin sumpin in there.
View attachment 1633762 View attachment 1633763 View attachment 1633766

Last but not least are Eggs #14 & 17. These are from my Easter Egger, Willow (named for her leg color). #17 was my very active egg. I guess I won’t be able to see much activity at all when I candle on Day 18.
View attachment 1633760 View attachment 1633758

All of these eggs are from my Welsummer cockerel, Duke Harry. He loves the ladies and they absolutely adore him. He is not completely comb over spurs about me, but we’re working on that. He is really the one I wanted so I am going to try my best to rehabilitate him. If it doesn’t go well, all these litlins will be put in the freezer. Ain’t it a shame a parent can pass down a bad name on children? Sad, but true.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do. If not, I guess there’s the simple click of an “unwatch thread.” No, no, just joking. I want you to be miserable! Like my DH!

18 blood ring. Started but died.
1 looks infertile to me, but I’d leave it in for a few more days too.
2, 14,17 look great!
8,9 and all the rest I’d leave until another candling. I see some light veins in some.

I’ll do a full candle on my call duck eggs tonight, day 7. Early check had at least 12 developing.

 

[Mimi13]

Dog refusal. That’s saying something!





18 blood ring. Started but died.
1 looks infertile to me, but I’d leave it in for a few more days too.
2, 14,17 look great!
8,9 and all the rest I’d leave until another candling. I see some light veins in some.

I’ll do a full candle on my call duck eggs tonight, day 7. Early check had at least 12 developing.

Indeed, some of these eggs look iffy to say the least. I’ll keep my fingers crossed until this Friday when I candle these bator eggs again.

However, I will be candling the “Broody Four” Tuesday evening! Whoop, whoop. I can’t wait, but I feel so bad for the little broody. I guess she will instinctively know why I don’t come to take her out of her broody cage. Bless her bones!