Illinois...

[BReeder!]

The 2 pipped duck eggs hatched out this morning. Most of the other eggs are pipped. I decided to remove them from the incubator. I never heard such a racket as they pounded their bills into the plexiglass and played soccer with the eggs. They are adorable, though....

I put them into the brooder with my silkie. She's now a mom to Orpingtons, Seramas, Quail, and Ducklings. She didn't didn't notice or care that her new babies are different.
View attachment 2211316
View attachment 2211305View attachment 2211306

I love the pics. I cannot wait to pick them up. Thanks so much for hatching this test batch.
Now I'm just worried about how many my broody duck is going to hatch. We shall see...

 

[Faraday40]

I put another 5 seramas eggs in the inky after the last 10 completely bombed. All 5 were alive and squirming until 2 days ago. Yesterday I saw movement in 3. Today it's now only 2. One of the 2 pipped today. At least there's still 1 more so I won't have a lonely only. I put 7 more in a few days ago and have another 6 to go in. It's going to take me all summer to get seramas, but maybe I'll get there 1 or 2 at a time.

Broody drama continues. My poor ccl has stuck to it and endured much harassment from other hens, but has 1 egg that still looks good. Now she's got a BB lav that desperately wants HER eggs. I've pulled her off of her I don't know how many times. And a few times I've found a very upset ccl looking at HER nest while this THIEF kicked her out and stole her eggs! Needless to say its time to bring her into the garage as soon as spitzier and her babies go to their new home tomorrow. I also appear to have a broody chocolate that possibly started today. I've NEVER had this many broodies!!!!

What's your secret to making the hens go broody???
Sometimes a regular orp may go broody, and silkies are expected to be good mamas. BUT You can even get non-broody breeds like CCL & Spitzes to go broody. Mine have never even considered it. Are you slipping something in their water? Playing subliminal messages in their sleep? Making the coop so cozy, they want to stay in there 24/7? There must be a secret you're not sharing! Tell us.

BTW- Do you really want seramas? I do have some extras right now.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

What's your secret to making the hens go broody???
Sometimes a regular orp may go broody, and silkies are expected to be good mamas. BUT You can even get non-broody breeds like CCL & Spitzes to go broody. Mine have never even considered it. Are you slipping something in their water? Playing subliminal messages in their sleep? Making the coop so cozy, they want to stay in there 24/7? There must be a secret you're not sharing! Tell us.

Lol, you're one to talk with all your perpetual broodies!
I have no clue what going on with these birds this year. In the 4 years raising chickens, I have only ever had 4.... period. I have had 9 since February! 5 of those are the non broody breeds! My garage has been a revolving door!! Maybe there's word you get a free ticket to go in the house if you go broody and they all want to check it out!!

 

[BReeder!]

@Faraday40 any updates on the duck hatch?

 

[Faraday40]

@Faraday40 any updates on the duck hatch?

Ducks hatch much differently than chicks.
Pip!
Wait
Wait
Wait
24 hrs later
Worry
More wait
Worry
More wait
....
Boom! There's a duckling in there!

The 1st 2 early ducklings moved in with my silkie. They are doing well.
A 3rd hatched tonight.

I checked the other 4 eggs & saw no movement..... but who knows. I never really saw movement in any of the eggs. (They seemed to save it all up for after hatch.... playing soccer with the other eggs!)

I hope they aren't like @Molpet 's turkeys and hatch early. The hatch time is actually now, so all we can do is wait.

 

[Justso]

Thank goodness for broodiness, stuck the new chicks under my cochin last night. All looks good so far. Any trouble I should keep an eye out for?

 

[cavemanrich]

Any trouble I should keep an eye out for?

That your significant other does not sneak off to the feed store, purchase 2 more baby chicks,,, slips them under hen and play with your mind

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

That your significant other does not sneak off to the feed store, purchase 2 more baby chicks,,, slips them under hen and play with your mind

Funny you should mention. I ordered 26 cornish cross. Took a picture at day 1 and counted 26. Not quite a week later I lost one. Counted again and still have 26. Jesus with fish and bread moment.
Before losing a chick

After

 

[Justso]

Funny you should mention. I ordered 26 cornish cross. Took a picture at day 1 and counted 26. Not quite a week later I lost one. Counted again and still have 26. Jesus with fish and bread moment.
Before losing a chick
View attachment 2214401

After
View attachment 2214403

Quick! Toss all your cash in there!

 

[cavemanrich]

Funny you should mention. I ordered 26 cornish cross. Took a picture at day 1 and counted 26. Not quite a week later I lost one. Counted again and still have 26. Jesus with fish and bread moment.

There is more than one way to play chick tricks
Is there a possibility that the carcass you pulled out was one of these leftover from Easter... that your DW sneaked in