July 2022 Hatch-A-Long

[3KillerBs]

I did my eggtopsies.

One of the 4 had definitely quit earlier -- it was the one I thought dubious but had *thought* I'd seen it move. So not very surprising.

2 pipped externally but didn't absorb their yolks.

The egg with the wonky air cell had pipped internally -- into the air cell -- but didn't absorb it's yolk.

I couldn't see any obvious deformities or malpositions so I have no idea what happened.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/causes-for-dead-in-shell-after-pipping.1537121/

 

[Waterfaery]

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way, lol. I get just as anxious and crazy every single time. It's too exciting not to! Also, welcome to the thread!!

Thank you! What a great thread. I can't believe how fast it's moving. 9 more pages since I was online yesterday!

 

[Waterfaery]

Agree with the other hatch along members statements! No matter how long you’ve been doing this it’s always exciting and slightly nerve-racking at times. I think this is why we all keep doing it!
Welcome!

Thank you!

 

[Waterfaery]

Says they were started today, so....the 27th? Whoo! Math hurts my brain this early in the morning....

Yes, the 27th. A long way to go still.

 

[Waterfaery]

I think today at 4 starts day 10 for me. One sellers eggs were all duds. cracked some and they were scrambled. UGH won't use that seller again first batch was duds and 2nd same. I got 2nd for half off but still not worth it.

the other seller I am THRILLED WITH!!!!!!!!!!! out of 12 eggs I have 10 doing great!!!!! Hoping they continue to do great. She will be sending me some more on the 25th (so I can be home when they are due to hatch and after so I don't worry) since my order got mixed up and I didn't get as many of one breed that I should have.

My coop is going to be a HUGE mix of ages. LOL I have some that are a bit over a year, some that are 12 weeks, then 8 weeks (but they are going to a new home this weekend), then 5 that are 3 weeks now, 1 that is 2.5 weeks. Then I have the eggs set to hatch in 11 days (will give them to my broody when they hatch) and will be setting more that will hatch in about 5.5-6 weeks. LOL at least once the last eggs hatch the older chicks will be 18 weeks, the others will be gone, most likely the ones that are 3 weeks now will be gone, then the other will be 8-9 weeks, this hatch will be about 4 weeks. so not horrible by then I guess.

That sounds hectic! Do you ever have any trouble introducing them to each other?

 

[Waterfaery]

Looks like a lot of chick juggling there! Luckily if they haven’t started laying yet they’re fairly easy to integrate with each other.

That's interesting to know. Are they a bit more easy going with the pecking order before they start laying?

 

[FreedomFarm13]

Quick little update...I was turning eggs just a minute ago, and saw that the one questionable one from Day 7 looked to have a tiny bubble of something on it. I touched it and it was kinda sappy, so I candled it...it was in fact dead. So, I pulled it. Almost decided to candle the rest but decided to wait til tonight when it's dark. Looks like I may be able to start using the turner again after all. We'll see. Kinda bummed about losing another one though. It was a wheaten, so down to 9 of those. Will update again after candling tonight.

 

[3KillerBs]

I was turning eggs just a minute ago, and saw that the one questionable one from Day 7 looked to have a tiny bubble of something on it. I touched it and it was kinda sappy, so I candled it...it was in fact dead.

Glad it didn't explode on you!

 

[junior67]

That sounds hectic! Do you ever have any trouble introducing them to each other?

It sounds hectic but isn't. Last year I got my older 8. 7 hens 1 roo. This year I ordered 12 chicks (got extra since I lost 1 last year and ended up with 2 roosters so wanted to be sure I got what I wanted this year). I brooded them in the house for the first week then put them out in the coop in a brooder under my poop boards so my other chickens could get used to them. Around the time I was going to let them out I had a hen go broody. I let the ordered chicks out around 4 weeks with lots of hiding spots and they did great. small pecking but nothing big. Long story short my broody ended up with 2 chicks so she raised them with the flock from day 1. they are 8 weeks now. She stopped mothering them around 3.5-4 weeks old. Then I had 2 more go broody. got them eggs and gave them a couple from my group but only 1 developed. So bought the other broody chicks. So she is raising hers in with the flock, they are 3 weeks old now. A couple days after I got her chicks the one egg hatched under my broody so she is raising her 1 chick that is about 2.5 weeks old. Then the first broody went broody again and I had just got eggs for the incubator so will give her those chicks when they hatch.

But so far they have all gotten along fine with just a bit of pecking here and there from all age groups but nothing major.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

I’ve had almost no time for chickens today.

I was able shifting out the new littles from Hoover’s. It was then I noticed they are looking suspiciously like little Easter egger or some other colored eggers. 5 have pea combs and most have beards/muffs.

I also noticed the box say “Hatchery choice females”. Nothing about white and brown layers. Oh well. My interest in peeked enough I’ll grow them all out.

Will I ever get my white egg layer!?

Today I sold or gave away some of my June hatch plus this week’s known males. Enough that I won’t feel overwhelmed growing out everything else we have (especially with all these odd ball Hoover’s females).