Late Feburary-Early March 2016 Hatch-A-Long!

[Purpletie3]

Had to move the thermometer because one hid behind it and I freaked out for a bit.. All 9 doing well

Very cute! ( They are fed for the month!)

 

[Gone-Quackers]

Oh no! I went home to check on my ducklings (6 pipped as of this morning, 4 eggs not pipped yet) at lunch and one had gotten some shell off but had blood filling it. I can see the beak is still working and peeping like mad. I'm guessing the duckling is dead and doesn't know it yet.

All other ducklings still working on their eggs. They should have hatched by now but seem to have issues getting thru the shell so I upped the humidity from about 65% (hygrometer electronic) to around 75%-- I added water and am guessing that's where it'll land? I'm back at work now and worrying about the babies. Would you have done the same thing?

 

[DinaKay]

I set 13 eggs under my American Gamefowl Feb 25 and now my other girl is broody..saving some eggs for her

so excited

 

[KeyFlock]

Well, this morning when I left there were 4 pips and one chick. Now there are five chicks and ten pips, two of which are zipping! They are definitely moving along now! Only 17 eggs left that haven't pipped, and it's barely even day 20!! So happy

Here are a couple pictures:

 

[Purpletie3]

Oh no! I went home to check on my ducklings (6 pipped as of this morning, 4 eggs not pipped yet) at lunch and one had gotten some shell off but had blood filling it. I can see the beak is still working and peeping like mad. I'm guessing the duckling is dead and doesn't know it yet.

All other ducklings still working on their eggs. They should have hatched by now but seem to have issues getting thru the shell so I upped the humidity from about 65% (hygrometer electronic) to around 75%-- I added water and am guessing that's where it'll land? I'm back at work now and worrying about the babies. Would you have done the same thing?

Your little ducky probably pipped a vein. Unfortunately, it happens. I would put them in the dark so he may relax and sleep...he's going to need a good 12 hours for those veins to recess. Nothing you can do but keep on your humidity and hopefully he will pull through.

It can take 24 hours for them to get out of the shell...Hopefully, things will work out great...you will get home from work and everyone will be quacking away!!!

 

[Purpletie3]

Here's the fuzzy butts....
So, I set 48 eggs. All but 12 were shipped.
11 never developed at all.
Out of those that made it to lockdown ...5 did not hatch.
One is still working on it day 23.
There are four hatchers with issues & it sucks that two of them are the white pavs...
2/5 of the refrigerator chickens hatched. (They also traveled 350 miles from my sisters fridge) LOL

 

[sharonmc2002]

Going into lockdown in morning before I go to work. Anything besides humidity/water I need to remember? 12 eggs going into lockdown. And believe me this newby is terrified I've done something wrong. Go ahead and laugh if you want but I'm serious.

 

[JadedPhoenix]

Going into lockdown in morning before I go to work. Anything besides humidity/water I need to remember? 12 eggs going into lockdown. And believe me this newby is terrified I've done something wrong. Go ahead and laugh if you want but I'm serious.

Yes, go get you a nice cup of coffee and relax. Just like there isn't much a man can do in the delivery room for his wife, there isn't much we humans can do for the fluff babies when it comes time to hatch. Especially if they will hatch while we are at work. LOL!! I didn't even think about my work schedule when I set my current batch. They are set to hatch on my long weekend that I work, too.

Also, remember that even if something doesn't go right, it doesn't have to be your fault. Sometimes things just happen. So since you can't really control the outcome, just try to enjoy the experience.

 

[Purpletie3]

Going into lockdown in morning before I go to work. Anything besides humidity/water I need to remember? 12 eggs going into lockdown. And believe me this newby is terrified I've done something wrong. Go ahead and laugh if you want but I'm serious.

I hope you sleep well tonight!!! Get your rest in now...& ready for an awesome experience!

Some of my mistakes as a newbie were hovering over the incubator...stressing about every peep and click I heard... I would say... set up your incubator check on it every so many hours and get your grocery shopping done etc...Keep your mind off of the bator or you may be an insomniac...

I found that I really like to hatch in clean cartons...Also, draw your air cells so you can know where they pip. Set up your humidity so it won't drown the chick and it can get you to day 22 or 23 without opening the top. Whether you are using sponges ( Boil up new ones and place them under a air hole you can use a straw to drop water on along the way )

Look around the incubator and make sure it's safe. When the chicks hatch they flop around a lot. They can also get their legs stuck in place or fall off the edge of the carton and get stuck next to the wall...

I am sorry if I threw too much at you here. Happy happy hatching

 

[KeyFlock]

Here's the fuzzy butts....
So, I set 48 eggs. All but 12 were shipped.
11 never developed at all.
Out of those that made it to lockdown ...5 did not hatch.
One is still working on it day 23.
There are four hatchers with issues & it sucks that two of them are the white pavs...
2/5 of the refrigerator chickens hatched. (They also traveled 350 miles from my sisters fridge) LOL

That's pretty good!
I'm on day 20, and now have 8 chicks, and 14 pips out of 32 eggs. That leaves 10 eggs to start pipping....