I Built A Bridge!

[MistyMountain]

Liz, I've been stalking but so busy with work that I have not been able to reply. First off, congrats!!

Second of all, heating pads do work if you want to attempt that. A BYCer hatched using a heating pad in a simulated natural nest. At this point, from what I gather (no experience, just reading) the pipped egg just needs warmth and a bit of humidity. Do you think you will intervene if it keeps getting bounced around?

I have also seen people put them under a light (desk lamp) and monitor the temp to let them hatch out. I think something damp or a bowl of water was included to provide humidity.

 

[lizgarf]

Liz, I've been stalking but so busy with work that I have not been able to reply. First off, congrats!!

Second of all, heating pads do work if you want to attempt that. A BYCer hatched using a heating pad in a simulated natural nest. At this point, from what I gather (no experience, just reading) the pipped egg just needs warmth and a bit of humidity. Do you think you will intervene if it keeps getting bounced around?

I have also seen people put them under a light (desk lamp) and monitor the temp to let them hatch out. I think something damp or a bowl of water was included to provide humidity.

Thanks, MM!
I tried a heating pad last year with two unhatched eggs, and I felt like I may have just made things worse. But, I might set it up and give it a try if it keeps getting kicked around.
One more picture. See if you can see whose watching in the background:

 

[MistyMountain]

I love it, Liz!

Here is the link to the heating pad hatching and brooding. Flip through the pics… she arched it so that it did not touch the eggs, just hovered over them to maintain temp. She then brooded babies out in her coop using the heating pad like one of the ecoglo heat plate brooders. Pretty amazing.

I think the biggies would be to make sure it can get air and to make sure it does not get too hot.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ral-nest-incubation-experiment-1-so-it-begins

 

[lizgarf]

Here is the link to the heating pad hatching and brooding. Flip through the pics… she arched it so that it did not touch the eggs, just hovered over them to maintain temp. She then brooded babies out in her coop using the heating pad like one of the ecoglo heat plate brooders. Pretty amazing.

I think the biggies would be to make sure it can get air and to make sure it does not get too hot.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ral-nest-incubation-experiment-1-so-it-begins

Thanks for the links. I just checked on them and the broodies are being more stationary than before and are covering the egg - I think they just wanted to be in a new spot. I have a box and pad ready, but I'd prefer to let it hatch with its family, if it's going to hatch, so I'll keep waiting for now.

 

[lizgarf]

Just occurred to me, I could give the eggs to Rousseau!! She just got kicked out of the nest by the layers, so Lucy's eggs are under heating pad (which is loosely covering the eggs in a box) at the moment, and when the layers are done, I'll give them to Rousseau and see how it goes. Wish I had thought of this sooner!

 

[MistyMountain]

Just occurred to me, I could give the eggs to Rousseau!! She just got kicked out of the nest by the layers, so Lucy's eggs are under heating pad (which is loosely covering the eggs in a box) at the moment, and when the layers are done, I'll give them to Rousseau and see how it goes. Wish I had thought of this sooner!

Oh my goodness Liz, what luck!! What a great idea!! This is all very exciting. Almost makes me want more little chickies…. almost… My husband is supportive in my crazy chicken obsession, but not that supportive!

TG, forgot to say how happy I am that your little petunia returned!!

Everyone else, please forgive me. I will try to catch up as I can. School has started and work is super busy for me. I barely get enough time to check the nest boxes!! Willie and his flock are back out to free range today. I was hopeful the hawk had moved on… but today while waiting down by the road for the bus some crows chased a red tail hawk right over my head. Thank you crows. I went down and did head count and locked up the flock again. Too much cackling from the crows to make me feel comfortable.

Anyhow, hope to clean out the coop for the first time in a year this evening and nest boxes need a good scrub down because someone either broke an egg or I have a new layer laying a rubber egg. Woooo!

Catch up soon. Take care all.

 

[lizgarf]

Oh my goodness Liz, what luck!! What a great idea!! This is all very exciting. Almost makes me want more little chickies…. almost… My husband is supportive in my crazy chicken obsession, but not that supportive!

Yeah, how crazy that we thought of heating pads before poor little Rousseau! Lucy's eggs are under her now. If anyone can give them a chance, she will (though I wouldn't call her my brightest bird). But, I'm very doubtful they'll make it, especially with Marsha dominating the nestbox.

 

[lizgarf]

Gah! Lucy's egg started hatching under Rousseau! I heard it peeping and then Rou was pecking at the egg in a weird way, and I don't think it was ready to come out, so I first took it out and tried to see if the others would take it, but they didn't and I put it back with Rou who has calmed down. So intense!! I don't know what to do. I'm going to be hanging out there for awhile, I guess!

 

[16 paws]

Yeah, how crazy that we thought of heating pads before poor little Rousseau! Lucy's eggs are under her now. If anyone can give them a chance, she will (though I wouldn't call her my brightest bird). But, I'm very doubtful they'll make it, especially with Marsha dominating the nestbox.

OMG

This is so exciting!!!!!
Good call Liz on giving the eggs to the other broody. I had to do that also with a very recent hatch and it worked out beautifully.

I have been at work all day so I missed all the action. I cant wait to see what happens next! This is better than Disneyland

I am also very sorry about the one that didnt make it. Its funny how you feel instantly closer to the ones that have a struggle and especially if they dont make it. Hugs to you.....


Hi to everyone else

ItalyChickie
The baby chick wing cover/hug is so adorable. I always say you get the best shots.

Teila,
I counted again and I think Pancake should have something happening on Wed or Thursday. I am such a scatter brain and am having a hard time keeping up with all these hatches

Cant wait to see if Cilla goes broody next....
Marie

 

[16 paws]

Gah! Lucy's egg started hatching under Rousseau! I heard it peeping and then Rou was pecking at the egg in a weird way, and I don't think it was ready to come out, so I first took it out and tried to see if the others would take it, but they didn't and I put it back with Rou who has calmed down. So intense!! I don't know what to do. I'm going to be hanging out there for awhile, I guess!

Oh for goodness sakes. I dont know either. I guess I would just watch and see what happens, try and distract Rou and keep her from pecking at it?

Good Luck!
Marie