July Hatch-a-Long (including 4th of July hatch-a-long)

[Hucklekree]

Here is a something different from me.

I had some ducklings shipped end of June. Horrific story, but some did make it. Fast forward to now and they are outside on grass with protection. Cute, happy, healthy 3 week old ducklings. Recently, as in the past few days, my 14 week old drake and duck have become super obsessed with them. I had always heard drakes could be dangerous to ducklings but it seems my duck is smitten and he might just be going along with her because he is smitten with her?

I hope some of that makes sense. I have kept them separate and plan to continue. Just wondering how likely it is that the older pair are indeed interested in the ducklings positively and not after their food or water?

 

[Vantic]

be thankful if only a few make it. I'm giving up on that "beginners luck" thing.

Let me tell you, I remember this like it was four hatches (months ago). Every candling was frustration and wonder. You are about to go into the most exciting part. I am happy and excited for you and @TheBajan . If you want some advice read the assisted hatch article. Even if you are not planning on doing it. That and reread Sally Sunshine hatching guide. I found it most helpful having studied them just before that first hatch.

Good luck to you

 

[Vantic]

Almost complete report:

48 eggs made it to lockdown
2 eggs remain to hatch
1 dead to malposition
22 already adopted
4 may have been kidnapped by the Hatcher (so cute)

Pics tomorrow

 

[AquaDuck]

Here is a something different from me.

I had some ducklings shipped end of June. Horrific story, but some did make it. Fast forward to now and they are outside on grass with protection. Cute, happy, healthy 3 week old ducklings. Recently, as in the past few days, my 14 week old drake and duck have become super obsessed with them. I had always heard drakes could be dangerous to ducklings but it seems my duck is smitten and he might just be going along with her because he is smitten with her?

I hope some of that makes sense. I have kept them separate and plan to continue. Just wondering how likely it is that the older pair are indeed interested in the ducklings positively and not after their food or water?

Just put out my 2 week old's in a chicken(duck) tractor, and my "teenage ducks" were so fascinated that they ran over to say hello. They're such curious and social creatures!

Wouldn't let them together without a fence between them though, they can also be rather mean and rough.

 

[slbenter]

Let me tell you, I remember this like it was four hatches (months ago). Every candling was frustration and wonder. You are about to go into the most exciting part. I am happy and excited for you and @TheBajan . If you want some advice read the assisted hatch article. Even if you are not planning on doing it. That and reread Sally Sunshine hatching guide. I found it most helpful having studied them just before that first hatch.

Good luck to you

Thank you for this. When I got done looking at the eggs and put them back to bed, I poured over every hatching video I could find, here and on YouTube. I learned that the Salmon Favorelle chick I thought I might have killed was probably dead already. It wasn't as advanced as it should have been. I am excited and apprehensive. I have family coming to visit from California just a couple days before the hatch too, so things are about to get hectic as well.
Wine may have to get involved. Lol.

 

[slbenter]

I feel like I'm on this journey with you since mine go into lockdown in just 3 more days! In my case, I candled everything on Day 7. Out of 15 Cream Legbars, 11 were viable. Out of 14 Bielefelders, 8 were viable and my BCM were too difficult to see into most of but I know that 3 out of 18 were viable. I've been too afraid to candle again so I'm waiting until day 18 when it's time for lock-down before I candle and I'm not sure I'll pull any eggs even then (unless the smell bad). Somehow it seems that if I don't candle them I can keep pretending they will all hatch Of course I know better but hey, I'm good at ignoring reality... either way, time will tell. I'll update again in 3 days when I finally HAVE TO face the truth! Good luck to us both!

You are so sweet, thank you so much for your encouragement.
That's pretty much my take on it as well, not going to get rid of any more of what's left unless something smells bad. From what I remember, you have a super-duper strong lumen flashlight too, don't you? Like 3000 lumens? Mine is only 1500, the strongest I could find on Amazon. I still have the fancyschmancy candler too, I can send that back after the hatch, but the flashlight I bought is stronger it seems. Those dark BCM eggs are impenetrable. I sure hope some make it.
I'm anxiously awaiting your results too, and wish you all the best with your hatch.
I have my son and granddaughter flying out from California just a couple days before hatch day. It will be hectic, but I think it will help tremendously to give my mind something else to do while we wait. Blessings to you and have a very happy 4th.

 

[TheBajan]

You are so sweet, thank you so much for your encouragement.
That's pretty much my take on it as well, not going to get rid of any more of what's left unless something smells bad. From what I remember, you have a super-duper strong lumen flashlight too, don't you? Like 3000 lumens? Mine is only 1500, the strongest I could find on Amazon. I still have the fancyschmancy candler too, I can send that back after the hatch, but the flashlight I bought is stronger it seems. Those dark BCM eggs are impenetrable. I sure hope some make it.
I'm anxiously awaiting your results too, and wish you all the best with your hatch.
I have my son and granddaughter flying out from California just a couple days before hatch day. It will be hectic, but I think it will help tremendously to give my mind something else to do while we wait. Blessings to you and have a very happy 4th.

Yes, I have a 4000 lumen flashlight and also a 3200 lumen. The 4000 is a bit glitchy but my son thinks it's because of the way he used to wear it on his uniform. Both of them do a much better job than the fancy egg candler. I sent back my candler but to my surprise, I haven't gotten my refund yet. They received it on June 23 and I messaged the seller yesterday but I haven't heard back. I don't expect to until after the holiday. It's never taken this long for me to get a refund from Amazon before. Have a great weekend!
Here's a link to the 4000 on Amazon if you're interested. They also have the 3200 that's a bit more stable and about $20 less.
4000 lumen flashlight

 

[wolfwalker]

woke up to 5 baby chicks. I left the turner to teh Nurture right in, just turned it upside down. I do like that it keep the eggs from being used as pin balls, but one of the chicks flipped over onto its back and couldn't get up. so in teh future I need to be aware and watchful using the turner as an egg blocker

 

[kelseyk]

Went to bed with 1 chick from the batch I was hatching for a friend left to hatch. It had pipped yesterday morning and was still chewing last night. It did not make it through the night. Not sure what happened.

So my totals for these 2 hatches...
The one for my friend: set 11 eggs - all 11 tried to hatch, lost 2 - 1 during zip and 1 at pip.
My small batch: set 5 eggs - all 5 tried to hatch, lost 1 at pip.

 

[chickiebaby1]

these were supposed to be my July 2nd babies but they ended up hatching June 29-30. Ended up with 33 out of 37 eggs. Not a bad hatch!