Keeping chicks warm

[stephen k]

Hey guys I was wondering if anybody could help me with hatching hens/ducks.my gf is hatching chicks and I'm hatching ducks.they have been in the incubator 10 days now and I was wondering if you could give me any advice.i candled them on fri and seen some black lines in the egg (are they veins?).would an electric hen be good for when they hatch?

 

[TwoCrows]

You will need a brooder set up for the babies when they hatch. A cardboard box or a storage tub will work well. Get a heat lamp, a thermometer and some feed for the babies. Don't cover the top of the brooder with anything but a screen or wire for good heat and oxygen exchange. You can use wood shavings, corn cob or grass hay for bedding. When they are completely dry from hatch, when transfering them to the brooder, dip their beaks in the water so they know where the water is. You can lay down paper towels for the first few days and sprinkle feed all around the brooder floor near the feeder so they know where the feed is kept. Keep the heat off to one side, food and water on the other. Start the heat out at 95 degrees, lowering it by 5 degrees each week for 6 weeks.

Good luck with your hatch! And enjoy BYC!

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Good luck with your hatches, the BYC Learning Center also has some good articles on hatching & chicks. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-and-raising-chicks

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[gander007]

Alright and

nice to have you onboard with us

What you were seeing is the egg growing

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC! TwoCrows and Kelsie gave you great advice! Good luck on your hatch. Also, the Learning Center is a great place for a lot of very helpful knowledge: https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC - great advice given above.

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[BantamLover21]

Glad you joined us! TwoCrows gave good information.