March 2017! Hatch with us!

[Jim121898]

Hey Jim, refresh my memory - shipped or back yard eggs? I think shipped embryos have difficulty with malpositioning because of their odd air cells. That's one of the reasons given for keeping them in cut down egg cartons the whole time. That said, some malpos are embryos that are badly formed, or embryos that are too large and can't reposition for hatch, or sometimes double yolkers...there are a lot of circumstances. They almost always need assistance, which as we know, is a dicey prospect...

These are backyard eggs and yes we do know how dicey assisting can be. The last assist was due to the same issue, and bleeding was a concern. I will keep a close eye on this little guy for he piped at roughly the same time as 3 others. So once they hatch if he's still not progressing I'll have to make a game time dissision.

 

[orrpeople]

Hooray!!! Our March host is hatching!!!

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When I get better light, I will get some pics of my 8 new sweethearts. They're definitely harder to distinguish the males/females than my Bielefelders are. And, there is one sweet little "oops" (I was warned by the breeder that there might be a surprise, and we think it might be a cross with a project blue cuckoo leghorn -kind of cool). So, 75% of the eggs that made it to day 7 (first candling) hatched, and that's the only statistic I'm keeping because otherwise I get too upset with the Post Office.

 

[yeye5]

A barnevelder, a gold laced Wyandotte, and a cuckoo marans!

Sorry to ask if pics are posted later in the thread. I pouring over pages of posts bcs I was internet-absent from school yesterday. On the other hand if you haven't yet posted pics, then I can def say:
Please Post Pics!
and thank you.

 

[WVduckchick]

Sounds like someone just said the magic word to WV

Hey, I want you to know that I passed chicken math with flying colors, aced chicken algrebra, and now have my masters in chicken calculus!

@Jim121898
Yesterday I did just that, plain water. Because these chicks were "cooped up" (Ha) under mom for an extra week instead of being chicks they were still pretending to be eggs. She cared for them while trying to hatch the other eggs that had been secretly laid in her nest behind my back by 2 pullets that--Coincidentally--had just started laying the same early days Mima started sitting. It was a big confusion that worked out much better than it might have. By the time I had determined there were no more viable eggs in there, opened up the nest letting daytime fresh air circulate, removed the eggs and Mima snapped awake and aware of no longer having to brood the eggs she began teaching the chicks. They had failed to gain that 1st week baby weight that they should have and I suspected mild dehydration from the feel of them ad their mom selecting out eggs when she knew they were "done trying" by depositing them into the water. So the chicks had no concept of drinking water (I had dipped their beaks multiple times). That was my reasoning, just to get them started, boost their energy (it Worked and they are hype-rkinetic now!).
And they are eating and drinking with their mom. Whew!

Glad they are doing so much better!!

Yep, Welshies. I LOVE them. 5 ducks and a drake whose name is Harley. Maybe I shouldn't tell you I am also in WV.

Well howdy neighbor!

(I have 23 Call ducks in one incubator on day 15!)

 

[yeye5]

A hawk, a tiny hack, killed one of my reds last summer. I went and bought that shinny reflective garden ribbon tied it up over their area. Looks like a big spider web kinda, and have not had a problem since. I hear them, and I see Eagles. I don't see the Hawks but I can hear them. Where I live I guess we have like 10 or so kinds. Maybe try what I did.

Great Idea. A huge hawk killed one of my closest chicken loves a few months ago. I will get right on the shiney ribbon! I'm going to the corner store shortly so I'll get some more to be sure I have excesses. Thank you!

 

[yeye5]

In theory, as long as they don't stink, they probably won't explode. I am hoping the best for you! Keep us updated!

Um, err...well...here is where I could use a better brain-to-type edit mechanism.
But, the egg that I had explode rather disgustingly on me had no smell from the outside. I so hate to be the one that said that.
On the other hand, it had been longer overdue than yours probably ever would be. That's positive.
Here's to hoping you don't find out bcs all of yours hatch!

 

[WVduckchick]

These are backyard eggs and yes we do know how dicey assisting can be. The last assist was due to the same issue, and bleeding was a concern. I will keep a close eye on this little guy for he piped at roughly the same time as 3 others. So once they hatch if he's still not progressing I'll have to make a game time dissision.

I had to assist several yesterday. Not sure why they had trouble zipping. Membranes were extra tough.

But I ended up with 8 out of 10 lavender orpingtons, 5 of 6 bantam cochins, and the single silver duckwing OEGB that made it to lockdown hatched!

Due next weekend - 2 (?) more silver duckwings, 3 self-blue OEGBs and 2 Ohikis. Although I suspect one of the Ohikis might quit before then.

The following week is my 23 call ducklings!! And sometime in between all that are 3 broodies sitting on Seramas and chocolate orpingtons!

 

[orrpeople]

These are backyard eggs and yes we do know how dicey assisting can be. The last assist was due to the same issue, and bleeding was a concern. I will keep a close eye on this little guy for he piped at roughly the same time as 3 others. So once they hatch if he's still not progressing I'll have to make a game time dissision.

That's so interesting... backyarders... makes me wonder about genetics? From different birds each time? Any deformities? Now you've piqued my curiosity.

 

[yeye5]

What do I do when my last employer says they owe me some back pay? Weekend getaway? Nope. Nice rug for the rough old floorboards in our living room? Nope. New shoes and purse? Nope, nope.

Find a farmer who is willing to haul his old custom coop out here and set it up for more chickens?

Yes!!!! This is when happens when I order 5 eggs from Papa's and he sends me 10. And they look pretty good.

I think nk you made a great choice with the extra pay! Your new coop is adorable. I can see the little peeps playing hide and seek all around it! Enjoy!

 

[WVduckchick]

These are backyard eggs and yes we do know how dicey assisting can be. The last assist was due to the same issue, and bleeding was a concern. I will keep a close eye on this little guy for he piped at roughly the same time as 3 others. So once they hatch if he's still not progressing I'll have to make a game time dissision.

Are you incubating horizontally or vertically? Hand turning or automated turner?

That's so interesting... backyarders... makes me wonder about genetics? From different birds each time? Any deformities? Now you've piqued my curiosity.

x2