March hatch along

[GR Chicks]

Out of the 18 that I knew had viable chicks at lock down, 17 made it. The other had pipped but never got out. This hatch was a little before schedule. I had to do a little assisting on a couple and a few pipped on the wrong side but they got out just fine. Overall, I'm pleased with the number of chicks but not the whole process. I had a lot of temp fluctuations and humidity was a pain. I'm not sure how I feel about my new incubator. I blame its weird turner for all the wrong end pippers. It was turning eggs end over end with some staying in the pointy end up position for extended periods of time. Oh well. Everyone who hatched is alive and happy at their new home. I think it's my last hatch of the year but I'm so tempted to do it again...

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This last pic is of the very last chick that hatched. Over a full day after the first one hatched.

So cute!

 

[GR Chicks]

I'm so sorry about your little one!

It was an accident, so dont be mad at yourself.

Thanks.

 

[rescueacres]

Those are adorable!

 

[rescueacres]

Adorable indeed!! They are gorgeous! Congrats
What breeds did you hatch?

This batch was almost all Ameracaunas. There are 3 buff orpingtons which may be pure, or may be orpington with ameracauna (EE), one red production with orpington roo. I cant tell the difference yet with the buffs and 1 red, all 4 look identical. The Ameracaunas were hatched from pure breed parents I bought from a breeder last year, but im waiting to see if they are in fact pure or if there is some ee in there.

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

Out of the 18 that I knew had viable chicks at lock down, 17 made it. The other had pipped but never got out. This hatch was a little before schedule. I had to do a little assisting on a couple and a few pipped on the wrong side but they got out just fine. Overall, I'm pleased with the number of chicks but not the whole process. I had a lot of temp fluctuations and humidity was a pain. I'm not sure how I feel about my new incubator. I blame its weird turner for all the wrong end pippers. It was turning eggs end over end with some staying in the pointy end up position for extended periods of time. Oh well. Everyone who hatched is alive and happy at their new home. I think it's my last hatch of the year but I'm so tempted to do it again...

[/URL]
This last pic is of the very last chick that hatched. Over a full day after the first one hatched.

So cute!! Congrats on the new babies!!

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

This batch was almost all Ameracaunas. There are 3 buff orpingtons which may be pure, or may be orpington with ameracauna (EE), one red production with orpington roo. I cant tell the difference yet with the buffs and 1 red, all 4 look identical. The Ameracaunas were hatched from pure breed parents I bought from a breeder last year, but im waiting to see if they are in fact pure or if there is some ee in there.

I love my EEs & my Ameraucanas! I've decided this is one breed I'd like to keep in my flock. In fact, I may end up separating them in their own pen so I can eventually breed them.

 

[subhanalah]

My EEs are the sweetest birds! I guess the fact that they are all I have except 8 newly hatched silkies may make me a little biased!

 

[Kassaundra]

My EEs are the sweetest birds! I guess the fact that they are all I have except 8 newly hatched silkies may make me a little biased!

I really like EE too, they were my first birds, but I have switched my flock entirely over to NN, except one EE girl. I was going to do this anyway, but chickaggedon made the change more rapid. (mass flock extermination by a dog)

 

[johnderosa1]

I really like EE too, they were my first birds, but I have switched my flock entirely over to NN, except one EE girl.  I was going to do this anyway, but chickaggedon made the change more rapid.  (mass flock extermination by a dog)

Oh... Sorry to hear that. From what i've read, dogs seem to be the most dangerous chicken predator out there. While other critters take their toll, one or two large dogs can wipe out an entire flock in just a few minutes. I have my chickens behind a 7 foot high fence with two strands of electric + their run is fenced all around including the top as well. Even with this setup i still worry a little. I would be so bummed to lose my flock that way.

 

[chicken junky]

Well I have my first ee to hatch 3 more pipped and 1 bcm who pipped wrong end. It is only just day 20 now so I hope for more soon. One bcm egg was hopping around I've never seen one move like that was very neat. Hope you all are having hatchers too, now back to staring at eggs.