Maine

[buckabucka]

Out of 18 eggs that made it to lockdown, 13 have hatched, 3 are trying, and 2 (I believe) have died. I am very happy with this hatch. Hopefully the 40+ eggs that go into the bator this week will have at least as good of a hatch rate.

That's great, kinsey!
I had 16 in lockdown. 10 hatched. 1 incubated and pipped upside down and died. 3 I will candle or float test before disposing of them, and 1 is in surgery.

After zipping half-way and quitting, I let it sit 24 hours while the others hatched. This morning, I was sure it was dead. I removed the live chicks, and when I picked up this half-zipped egg, it started screaming at me.

I have never helped a chick hatch and have no idea what I'm doing. I wrapped the egg in a warm, damp washcloth and finished the zipping, but left the membrane, which I dampened, and then put it back in the incubator.

I'm going to wait a while. It is not doing anything, but it seemed strong while I was doing the "surgery". I'm thinking I should removed the cap of shell next. I don't know if it is a sticky chick or shrink-wrapped, nor do I know the difference, as I've never seen either one!

If anyone knows how I should proceed, please weigh in!

 

[ashandvine]

will I be seeing your order on my desk??

I believe you work at Johnnies... so not this year. I was considering ordering a few things through them but haven't decided. I want strawberry plants here but they don't bear till they are two years old. IDK how old the ones Johnnies is selling are and so I have to ask the local nursery as well. i would certainly spend less from Johnnies but impatient SO has said we just aren't waiting another year (we didn't get them early enough last year)

Dave! Welcome!! This is the one most important thing I can share with you: do not buy anything that isn't NPIP or looks ill. Go with someone who does know chickens to pick out yours. A seasoned eye can tell you if the bird looks lethargic (ill) has raspy breathing, snot, lice, mites.... you want to know!! I recommend a middle ground for your first go: young birds that will not require a forever wait or brooding in the house.

Kinsey! YEY

Bucka... good luck.

 

[buckabucka]

Here's my update. I was working on the very stuck chick, when I heard chirping from the mostly empty incubator. The upside down chick was not only alive, it had attempted to zip a circle around the base of the egg.

The stuck Ameraucana I doubt will make it. The whole shell had to be removed, and his wing was fused to his head. I got all his parts moving and put him back, but he keeps lying on his back with his legs vibrating (seizure?). Occasionally, he is upright and chirping.

Mr. Upsidedown, I carefully removed the top of the shell and put back. That one was singing during his surgery, not making a distress call. He got out of the egg on his own, and collapsed. He seems to have all his parts. We'll see how he does. I'd like to float test or candle the other eggs, but don't want to disturb anything right now.

 

[lazy gardener]

Here's my update. I was working on the very stuck chick, when I heard chirping from the mostly empty incubator. The upside down chick was not only alive, it had attempted to zip a circle around the base of the egg.

The stuck Ameraucana I doubt will make it. The whole shell had to be removed, and his wing was fused to his head. I got all his parts moving and put him back, but he keeps lying on his back with his legs vibrating (seizure?). Occasionally, he is upright and chirping.

Mr. Upsidedown, I carefully removed the top of the shell and put back. That one was singing during his surgery, not making a distress call. He got out of the egg on his own, and collapsed. He seems to have all his parts. We'll see how he does. I'd like to float test or candle the other eggs, but don't want to disturb anything right now.

The way I see it, you've got nothing to loose by helping a chick out. Only when you're placed in that position can you make the judjement call that the chick would be better off without your help. And, if you do help, and it ends up deformed, you can cull if needed, but then again, it may be perfectly fine and just needed a little intervention from you. Congrats on your hatch. Fun to see the little buggers.

 

[buckabucka]

The Ameraucana is doing a little better! Upon the advice of a very kind person from Ireland, I gave the chick a bath under a heat lamp and some sugar water. He/she is with the other late hatcher in a separate tiny brooder. She's kind of matted and crunchy, so later I will brush her with a soft toothbrush, as advised.
meanwhile, they are at least quiet and sleeping, although no interest in their food yet.

 

[kinsey228]

That's great, kinsey!
I had 16 in lockdown.  10 hatched.  1 incubated and pipped upside down and died.  3 I will candle or float test before disposing of them, and 1 is in surgery.

After zipping half-way and quitting, I let it sit 24 hours while the others hatched.  This morning, I was sure it was dead.  I removed the live chicks, and when I picked up this half-zipped egg, it started screaming at me.

I have never helped a chick hatch and have no idea what I'm doing.  I wrapped the egg in a warm, damp washcloth and finished the zipping, but left the membrane, which I dampened, and then put it back in the incubator.

I'm going to wait a while.  It is not doing anything, but it seemed strong while I was doing the "surgery".  I'm thinking I should removed the cap of shell next.  I don't know if it is a sticky chick or shrink-wrapped, nor do I know the difference, as I've never seen either one!

If anyone knows how I should proceed, please weigh in!

One of the chicks in my hatch piped upside down and I helped it out a little. It is doing great now and I can't even tell which one it was, because they all look the same. I hope everything turns out ok.

 

[kinsey228]

That's great, kinsey!
I had 16 in lockdown.  10 hatched.  1 incubated and pipped upside down and died.  3 I will candle or float test before disposing of them, and 1 is in surgery.

After zipping half-way and quitting, I let it sit 24 hours while the others hatched.  This morning, I was sure it was dead.  I removed the live chicks, and when I picked up this half-zipped egg, it started screaming at me.

I have never helped a chick hatch and have no idea what I'm doing.  I wrapped the egg in a warm, damp washcloth and finished the zipping, but left the membrane, which I dampened, and then put it back in the incubator.

I'm going to wait a while.  It is not doing anything, but it seemed strong while I was doing the "surgery".  I'm thinking I should removed the cap of shell next.  I don't know if it is a sticky chick or shrink-wrapped, nor do I know the difference, as I've never seen either one!

If anyone knows how I should proceed, please weigh in!

One of the chicks in my hatch piped upside down and I helped it out a little. It is doing great now and I can't even tell which one it was, because they all look the same. I hope everything turns out ok.

 

[Clover Run]

FYI - I finalized swap plans for Wilton Tractor Supply this afternoon - it will be a combination Farmers Market and Swap.

1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month starting in April.

Also - 1st Wednesday in afternoon will also be a Farmers Market.

If you plan on setting up please let me know and your items can be included in marketing avenues.

 

[hoppy]

I got a surprise today. I thought I had 2 ducks due to hatch and 7? more on thursday. wel this morning those 2 still had not hatched, i pulled on out getting ready to open it when i noticed the date said 3/14- it wasn't due yet- yikes! so i opened the incubator to put it back (I hatch in a different incubator then i incubate in- it has a larger window for watching) well I open the incubator and there chirping at me at 3 little ducks. I must have grabbed the wrong batch of eggs.
they seem fine and are now in the hatcher with the rest of the new babies.
congrats everyone on the new babies!!

 

[ashandvine]

What wonderful and amusing stories by all of you. Thank you so! I am nervous about this bator full but crossing my fingers.

We saw the rare mating of turkeys today and learned why it is you so rarely see it: the male mounts the female while she is IN the nest! We have a broody duck doing an amazing job with her eggs. She bit me several times! What a good girl.

I and my son cleaned some of the pens today and worked on small improvements to the pens SO threw up for me. So much more to do now that the weathers' accommodating. I hope to receive a dog house this week so that I might make of it a quick coop.