Kristen’s Chickens and Farming Ventures

[rjohns39]

The worst one's are those that are trying to hatch from the small end of the egg.

Jury is still out for me between wrong end and middle. I have nearly 100% who hatch in the middle not make it, the small end isn't much better, but I kind of think it is.

 

[BlueBaby]

Jury is still out for me between wrong end and middle. I have nearly 100% who hatch in the middle not make it, the small end isn't much better, but I kind of think it is.

It seem's that they don't come with a map in there to tell them where the exit is at, huh?

 

[Kris5902]

Well, I lost the one that hatched while I was at market, so Wayne is down to 11 chicks... I’m happy to supplement him with some extra pullets once they are sexable, in exchange for his cockerels because he “does not need any more roosters!” Lol... oh, I know the feeling there! But some of Chickie Hawks little boys are just so darn cute! The one I lost was one my mom thought was doing great, but it was mushy and dragging a big bleeding yolk Sack. I’m thinking bacteria, because the eggs weren’t as clean as I would prefer, plus a humidity spike on hatch day were contributing factors.

The two of Hawks babies I lost in egg while I was at market were both pipped in the small end, as well as they were turned pip side down while I was away. I have 23 health chicks though, and three in intensive care (incubator with food and water until tomorrow, when I’ll move them to a separate brooder, one of Wayne’s and two of mine... one small with delicate legs that was getting trampled, and one x-large and a little mushy from the humidity spike.

If I’m going to keep hatching I really think I’m going to need a better incubator, with more precise humidity and temperature controls, and a good place to run it in... I do think this might be my last hatch of the year... though maybe, just maybe one more ( for Marans and some blue layers if I can swing the space...)

 

[Ribh]

I have nothing useful to contribute. I think hatching is hard & I admire your perseverance.

 

[Kris5902]

I have nothing useful to contribute. I think hatching is hard & I admire your perseverance.

Thanks! It’s basically 18 days of being patient, and 3-5 days of stressing out and not sleeping... not fussing with things as much as possible and trusting in nature as much as possible. But oh gosh, those fluffy little babies are sooooo worth it!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I have 23 health chicks though, and three in intensive care (incubator with food and water until tomorrow

I'm glad you have some healthy ones Kris.
Too nerve wracking for me!

 

[rjohns39]

Morning Kris

I'm in the same boat as you... My girls took a couple weeks off laying but started up again yesterday. I've got an order for 25 chicks that I was going to cancel, but now that they are laying again I may try to hatch some out for this guy. Problem is I don't have the facilities to properly grow out any extra's right now. So I don't know what I'm going to do.

 

[aart]

It’s basically 18 days of being patient, and 3-5 days of stressing out....But oh gosh, those fluffy little babies are sooooo worth it!

That pretty much sums it up!!

 

[rjohns39]

Good morning Kris

 

[BlueBaby]

Morning Kris

I'm in the same boat as you... My girls took a couple weeks off laying but started up again yesterday. I've got an order for 25 chicks that I was going to cancel, but now that they are laying again I may try to hatch some out for this guy. Problem is I don't have the facilities to properly grow out any extra's right now. So I don't know what I'm going to do.

I know what you mean. I tried to do better with the hatching thing this year. I hatched smaller batches from my NN flock, and sold a few of them. Now I am soon hatching out a variety from shipped egg's from @Compost King but it's a late enough hatch in the year. I was planning to build a couple more coops and pen's in the fall when it cool's off a bit over here. Some of the hatched pullets will be in with my NN's, but I also want to work with some of them separately.