July Hatch-a-Long

[KittyCat13]

View attachment 1470265 I think a bit of umbilical usually sorts itself out. How is the chick acting? That’s a better measure in my limited experience.

My black splash ameraucana has pipped now so in the home stretch. All three in the brooder now. It’s crazy how much they grow in just 12 hours! Two of these are autosexing so I’m pretty sure I have one roo (the black one with white head spot) and one pullet (the darker chipmunk chick). The third was a mystery egg...hatched from a greenish blue egg, pink legs, light chipmunk coloring. Left side of this pic. We named that one Coconut View attachment 1470266

They both seem well in themselves (the other one that hatched had the same thing) I wonder if it's related to them both hatching from the wrong end, I've not seen it before and it seems odd that they both have it and were both malpositioned.

The third chick is struggling a little (also pipped the wrong end) it's been 28 hours since it pipped and not much has happened, I've picked a little shell away, but I spotted a blood vessel so left it for now.

 

[mcclucker]

Maybe? I’m sure someone with more experience could tell you. Pecking and moving around are good signs.

These two are having a nap after a first meal hatching is hard work!!

 

[KittyCat13]

View attachment 1470454 Maybe? I’m sure someone with more experience could tell you. Pecking and moving around are good signs.

These two are having a nap after a first meal hatching is hard work!!

They're so cute! The last one hatched, but it's yolk hasn't absorbed yet I've moved the other two to the brooder to give it some piece, I wanted to put it in a cup to finish absorbing it but my incubator isn't very tall, so the cups were either too big or small enough that it could escape

I've put fresh paper towels down and am just hoping it's very feisty, but the yolk etc doesn't look great

 

[chicken4prez]

I'll join!!

 

[chicken4prez]

I have a bunch (not sure the exact number) of Mille Fleur d'Uccle eggs under my two broodies and three should be due any day now!

In the last few days two Mille Fleur d'Uccles hatched and they're cute!!

 

[mcclucker]

Kitty how is your chick doing?

My 5th chick didn’t hatch. Looks like it died about 2-3 days ago. I’m not sure what happened

Also my BBS ameraucana is having some trouble walking. It just seems small and unsteady. Eating and drinking and loud, just can’t walk well. Maybe splayed leg? It doesn’t seem that bad though.

 

[Knighstar679]

I have my first eggs hatching right now. But being duck eggs they are of course going to take their time about it. I have one external pip though and the other two were chirping and chipping today. I did loose one that was malpositioned and didn't develop right in egg this morning but awoke to the surprise of the very active other eggs. So I am very excited for my first hatch.

 

[Georgina Fritznoodle]

Wow, I was too busy to check this thread for a few days and it looks like I missed a lot of excitement while I was away! Congrats to all who have new chicks! And sorry to any who have lost some.

I have my first eggs hatching right now. But being duck eggs they are of course going to take their time about it. I have one external pip though and the other two were chirping and chipping today. I did loose one that was malpositioned and didn't develop right in egg this morning but awoke to the surprise of the very active other eggs. So I am very excited for my first hatch.

Can't wait to see your babies when they hatch! Ducklings are the cutest!

 

[KittyCat13]

Kitty how is your chick doing?

My 5th chick didn’t hatch. Looks like it died about 2-3 days ago. I’m not sure what happened

Also my BBS ameraucana is having some trouble walking. It just seems small and unsteady. Eating and drinking and loud, just can’t walk well. Maybe splayed leg? It doesn’t seem that bad though.

Sorry to hear the 5th chick didn't hatch

Sadly the little chick had to be euthanised, part of it's intestines were on the outside and it was getting weaker so I think it was the kindest thing to do.

It was the first chick we've had to cull and I found it more upsetting than when we've had to cull poorly adults for some reason. I guess things just go wrong sometimes and it's just one of those things.

 

[KittyCat13]

On a more cheerful note, I candled the runner duck eggs yesterday and 2 were clear, 5 were good and 1 I wasn't sure about, so we should have some ducklings in a few weeks!

I set another 9 eggs in the incubator and have 5 set to hatch on Sunday, looking forward to seeing how these turn out as they are mystery eggs!

Thinking about getting some quail eggs to incubate next weekend, need to build them a house (and persuade my husband) first!!