March Hatch-Along Thread- Come Hatch With Us!!!!!

[jhfamily5]

It can be tough losing a chick...I lost my first just 30 minutes ago... the heat lamp fell off and baked one of the chicks...thankfully the other 12 were not trapped under the lamp when it fell straight down umbrella style. Does anyone have bad experiences with these clamps on the heat lamps?

OH NO! I'm so sorry to hear that! Those clamps are awful and totally unreliable. If you can afford it, I really recommend a Brinsea EcoGlow. They are a little pricey but a great investment. They eliminate fire hazard, use 1/10th the electricity of just one heat lamp and are never hot to the touch so kiddos won't burn themselves on them either. They mimic a mother hen too and whenever you can create an environment that is closest to nature, I think you are better off. They can come and go under it as they please so they never overheat and no lights to keep them up all night running around and being loud. They establish a normal sleep routine. If getting one of those isn't an option, maybe try using a zip tie (or two) to secure your light to whatever you have it clamped to. What did you have in the brooder for bedding? So thankful you didn't end up with a fire. Someone not far from me lost their barn with over 50 chickens/chicks in it last week due to a heat lamp knocking over. So tragic!

 

[jhfamily5]

I am hatching out some button quail later this week. I can't wait to see how small they are.

This is one of the jumbo's I hatched out:

Oh my goodness! So cute! I love seeing little quail chicks. They are SO tiny!

 

[ceocka]

Where is April hatch thread? Everyone left

 

[MayDayMel]

It can be tough losing a chick...I lost my first just 30 minutes ago... the heat lamp fell off and baked one of the chicks...thankfully the other 12 were not trapped under the lamp when it fell straight down umbrella style. Does anyone have bad experiences with these clamps on the heat lamps?

I use a bungee cord for mine so I can move it easily if needed, yet at the same time it's secured. So sorry you lost a baby, but thankful it wasn't a worse loss.

 

[PugBug]

Where is April hatch thread? Everyone left

Yea where is April hatch thread- OK ppl you can't leave w/o me! I know I haven't been on much lately, but now everyone else is MIA

 

[animaladdictions]

I also meant to add that I am so sorry for your losses too. I too fall in love with them all and shed a great many tears last night and this morning. I didn't even go back to see who advised me what because I truly don't blame anyone for sharing what works best for them and do appreciate advice. If you happened to be someone who advised me about the stopping early, thank you for giving me your advice and you are right, it could have been so many other things too. The biggest problem I have with trial and error is that the poor little chicks pay the price when I mess up but I know that it is part of it. You can't have a bleeding heart and hatch chicks. I'm working on it.

I don't think I advised you specifically on anything, but I have suggested the longer time without turning before and felt I should own up to that. It works great for me and has saved a lot of babies since I started doing it, but it's like you said...we all have to figure out what works best for each of us. I'm so sorry you had so many problems this go around but again, you're right that it is something that just goes along with artificial incubation. Even the hens don't get it right all the time. Nature can be hard but when you have a successful hatch...you tend to feel better about the whole thing. I hope next time everything goes as smooth as silk for you. I didn't think you were going after me at all...I know how frustrating it can be to lose chicks and this is the best place there is for venting, learning, and sharing. Don't ever worry about stating your opinion or venting your frustrations here...we are all here for each other!!!

God Bless and good luck with everything!

 

[animaladdictions]

I agree! I need my peeps! Gonna check for an April thread and see where you guys went! Hafta post pics of my call duck babies and my new Easter baby dewlap toulouse!

 

[Bens-Hens]

There has been one running for a while for early April, but I am sure it could run longer.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...et-3-17-hatch-4-7-ready-now/370#post_10825695

C'mon down!

 

[JAM56]

Currently have 12 Mandarin eggs incubating in RCOM 20 MAX and will receive 6 Ancona eggs this week also. Mandarins are suppose to hatch 26 April if all goes well. Never hatched Mandarins but hoping for the best.

 

[Brookhavens]

Here is one for the whole month of April: April Hatch Thread