June Hatch-A-Long

[FortCluck]

Had some cuddles with our two little day 20 early birds today. Light brahmas both from the same mama hen. They were the smallest eggs and in the warmest spot (I didn’t know to move eggs around in the incubator until I was going into lockdown. Could explain some of the quitters I had if they were in colder spots ).View attachment 2213305
View attachment 2213306now, we just wait for the other 4 to pip!

I love my light brahmas! I got a few that were sent to TSC on accident and they did not want to sell them to another customer besides us and another person. We obviously got them because I am the Chicken Whisperer according to them.

 

[FortCluck]

I think the cocci has slowed down or stopped in the chicks. We checked on them last night and everything was good. I think not crossing contaminating the flocks has really helped. I am almost wondering if it is cocci that our flock is immune to because ALL of the chicks that come directly from our chickens have no been phased. It has been the ones we introduced and the others we hatched from other flocks like the BCM

 

[Hucklekree]

Chiming in super late, but we have had the same thing happen to us and our introduced chicks. Our older chickens were not affected but our introduced chicks all passed. Very sad and many years ago. I quit introducing new stock after that, 7 years ago. Now here we are trying it again, albeit through hatching eggs. I have Corrid on hand should we approach disaster. However, as was mentioned it isn't until you start loosing the chicks that cocci is apparent.

I am sorry for the frustration, heart ache and loss.

 

[chickiebaby1]

@FortCluck what size bands did you get for your chicks. I have mostly silkies I need to band but I’m afraid everything will be to big. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[FortCluck]

@FortCluck what size bands did you get for your chicks. I have mostly silkies I need to band but I’m afraid everything will be to big. Any ideas? Thanks!

Look for chick size. The smallest you can get. My bands fit 3+ week old chicks. I’m only using them around that age because that’s when I start seeing feathering and potential breeders or layers.

 

[SnapdragonQ]

Can't remember if I posted it here or not, but when I set my Biele eggs Tuesday morning I made a little cradle to hold the worst air celled egg upright (with a balancing egg from my flock on the opposite side) in my horizontal turner bator.

Out of curiosity, last night I took a tiny not so bright flashlight and tried to peek into the eggs while they stayed in the bator. All I did was remove the lid and shine it down on the 2 upright eggs and a few that are on their sides.
The darker upright egg that was saddled the worst looked interesting. The air pocket side that was halfway down the shell had come up to the top, but was totally jiggy and loose on that side. I could not tell if there was any development yet, too dark to see beyond the air cell. My own blue egg was fine though the yolk was near the top, not in the middle. Don't know what that means, if anything.

I tried to peek into a few eggs on their sides with my dull light and think (?? ??) I might have seen some light veining. that was last night and today is just now going on day three.
If I can behave myself I won't do a full candle until day 7, but might recheck the upright egg in the same manner to see what the air cell does and if it can be put on it's side.
For now I'm gently twisting the 2 upright eggs 5 to 7 times a day.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

@FortCluck what size bands did you get for your chicks. I have mostly silkies I need to band but I’m afraid everything will be to big. Any ideas? Thanks!

I use the 1/4" baby poultry leg bands, I think it actually says medium but I find they fit the silkies comfortably and have enough room to grow for a little while. I can't remember who originally suggested this size to me but I'm glad they did because the teeny tiny ones are hard to handle and you have to change them really quickly but they're all really stretchy and much safer to use than the zip ties if you're not the super vigilant type about changing them.

 

[CindyinSD]

@FortCluck what size bands did you get for your chicks. I have mostly silkies I need to band but I’m afraid everything will be to big. Any ideas? Thanks!

I've heard that nothing but toe punch works for new hatchlings, but I have some tiny zip ties on a few of my 2-3 week-old chicks. You have to be very diligent with those, though; put them on as loose as they will possibly stay and cut off & replace PROMPTLY/CHECK OFTEN as they grow.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Can't remember if I posted it here or not, but when I set my Biele eggs Tuesday morning I made a little cradle to hold the worst air celled egg upright (with a balancing egg from my flock on the opposite side) in my horizontal turner bator.

Out of curiosity, last night I took a tiny not so bright flashlight and tried to peek into the eggs while they stayed in the bator. All I did was remove the lid and shine it down on the 2 upright eggs and a few that are on their sides.
The darker upright egg that was saddled the worst looked interesting. The air pocket side that was halfway down the shell had come up to the top, but was totally jiggy and loose on that side. I could not tell if there was any development yet, too dark to see beyond the air cell. My own blue egg was fine though the yolk was near the top, not in the middle. Don't know what that means, if anything.

I tried to peek into a few eggs on their sides with my dull light and think (?? ??) I might have seen some light veining. that was last night and today is just now going on day three.
If I can behave myself I won't do a full candle until day 7, but might recheck the upright egg in the same manner to see what the air cell does and if it can be put on it's side.
For now I'm gently twisting the 2 upright eggs 5 to 7 times a day.

I would imagine the yolk is toward the top because you're incubating that one upright. Fingers crossed!!!

 

[CindyinSD]

Chiming in super late, but we have had the same thing happen to us and our introduced chicks. Our older chickens were not affected but our introduced chicks all passed. Very sad and many years ago. I quit introducing new stock after that, 7 years ago. Now here we are trying it again, albeit through hatching eggs. I have Corrid on hand should we approach disaster. However, as was mentioned it isn't until you start loosing the chicks that cocci is apparent.

I am sorry for the frustration, heart ache and loss.

Does Corid have a use-by date? I'm wanting some in my kit, but I've never had problems yet and don't want to end up just tossing it.