MAY HATCH-A-LONG come join in

[chickenmeadow]

It's now the "calm before the storm."

Just put my eggs into "lockdown" this morning on Day 18; set the eggs in egg carton (cut to fit my circular incubator & twist tie secured in the best temp position for my bator), added the no-chick-slip waffle shelf liner to avoid chicks getting spraddle leg, added warm distilled water to bring humidity up to 55% (for "dry incubation" - not really dry, just dryer to avoid drowning in shell when pipped thru the membrane that has an excess of moisture held from too high humidity) & monitored the temperature all day to get back up to the 99.5 degrees F (for forced air/fan incubators). There's just something about adding the xtra water that drops the temps & careful adjustments are needed (small increments). Hatching in an egg carton is just great, when the egg is in that position from Day 18 with the air cell/wide end up, they just hatch better for me & without playing soccer with the other unhatched eggs to put them out of position when the chicks are running around.

The 1st egg had a damaged air cell, but there is still an air cell in proper position with an xtra air cell area attached on one side. My fingers are xtra crossed for this one. The last egg seemed a little less developed, but I was hurrying to lockdown to not keep the bator open on them any longer than needed.

I will have to get busy on some new projects to keep my mind off of the suspense before Day 21. Wish me luck.

Best wishes to all & happy hatching!

 

[gwill23]

So watching my new mother teach her chicks how to eat and drink. How do you teach those born in a bator to do the same?

 

[chickenmeadow]

Quote:
Regarding chickens: Thank goodness Mother Nature gives them strong instincts to seek when hungry or thirsty. The chicks will naturally peck around in search of food & water, so I start them in the brooder with ground (in a blender) starter crumbles on the floor (with a layer of the no-slip waffle shelf liner to help with their footing for any weaker ones) & a jar lid of clear marbles (no irridesence) with water. Everything is easy to get to & I tap my fingernail in the food & dip their beak quickly into the water. They do the rest. They'd probably do just fine without my assistance, but I think they figure it out a little quicker that way, after being in the incubator after hatching for 12 to 24 hrs or so waiting for all/most to finish.

Watching the "real thing" is surely most amazing! Have fun with your chickies & proud Mom.

 

[MissPrissy]

Turkeys have to be taught. They don't naturally search for food and water. You have to encourage them to eat which is why we hatch chicks and guineas at the same time so they can learn.


My hatch has started this morning. 3 blue orps are out and singing.

 

[chickenmeadow]

Miss Prissy: Thanks for sharing that about turkey poults. How cleaver to hatch something with them that will teach. Brilliant!

 

[eggsrcool]

4 pips.
1 more pip to go

 

[twinlights]

Well, I was worried for no reason. Today is day 21, I have 5 or 6 Brown/Red d'Uccle chicks, and there are at least 4 more eggs pipped. Another 6 still to go.

 

[moorechicks]

Mine starting piping last night and I had 4 by this morning and 6 more to go. The 1st one that piped last night was zipping this morning when I was leaving for work. I did explain to him not to come out to moma got back home at 1:30

 

[PandoraTaylor]

Congratulations all Pips, zips & hatchers!!!

Go Chickies Go

 

[chickenmeadow]

twilights & moorechicks: Congrats! You've got chicks. Good job!

In regards to "styles of worry," my "style" is to go like gang busters with the incubation with high hopes & diligent watch on turning eggs, timely brief candling, temps & humidity. Then around Day 20 & on, I begin to doubt everything, wonder if they'll even hatch & ready myself for the worse. I'm rediculous sometimes, cause it's like running a marithon, seeing the finish line & then suddenly not sure I'll even make it over the line that's within my reach; very weird, but at least I recognize it & try to compensate. On my 2009 Christmas day hatch, I had gone to sleep calmly on the eve & awoke to my hubby saying "Good morning Chicken Little." I giggled, thinking he was just being Christmas happy & taking a cute but cheap shot at my chicken hobby. But, there they were hatching chickies! Thank goodness for the "teamwork" thing with friends, family & our special friends here at the BYC who lend support.

Happy hatching everyone!