MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

In case anyone's wondering, there is still no sign of hatching.

 

[MaryJanet]

I'm tempted to take a peek under Mary but I'll hold off until tomorrow morning (Saturday - incubation day 23 for the bantam eggs).

If there's no sign when I look under her tomorrow, I'll go and get a heat plate (I should keep one on hand anyway) and the four 2 day old chicks.

I'll give Mary the chicks later on Saturday night. If she doesn't take them, they can go in a brooder with the heat plate.

The alternative course of action is to continue waiting up to day 26. Then try to find day old chicks on Tuesday (there won't be any).

Or wait until day 24 and maybe get four chicks from a weekend hatch. I've called one of the chicken breeders to explore this possibility.

 

[ManueB]

I'm tempted to take a peek under Mary but I'll hold off until tomorrow morning (Saturday - incubation day 23 for the bantam eggs).

If there's no sign when I look under her tomorrow, I'll go and get a heat plate (I should keep one on hand anyway) and the four 2 day old chicks.

I'll give Mary the chicks later on Saturday night. If she doesn't take them, they can go in a brooder with the heat plate.

The alternative course of action is to continue waiting up to day 26. Then try to find day old chicks on Tuesday (there won't be any).

Or wait until day 24 and maybe get four chicks from a weekend hatch. I've called one of the chicken breeders to explore this possibility.

I don't have any experience to help, I know @BY Bob will and is someone "like you".... who thinks things through carefully.

I know how much hope and care you set into this. I wish Mary and you and can have an outcome that feels right.

 

[fuentemoon]

Did you have a brooder box and heat ready to go in case the hens rejected the chicks?

Sort of. They were in the house for a few hours in a tote, but it would have been tricky if we had needed to continue more than a couple of weeks.

 

[fuentemoon]

How old were the chicks? Were they day old or week old?

My first glance at people's experiences indicates younger have better acceptance rates.

They came from a store so they were at least a day old, probably 2-3

 

[RoyalChick]

I've had the following reply

yes I have these in yesterdays hatch. I will be home from 12.00 noon until 5.00pm tomorrow or all day Sunday. Thanks​

​

So we know there are little ones I can fetch tomorrow (Saturday, day 23) or Sunday (day 24).

If the eggs don't hatch today, it seems reasonable to introduce chicks Saturday night, after dark, without removing the eggs. That way the eggs can continue incubating until Mary is satisfied no one is coming out.

Any thoughts?

I can’t help MJ. I have no experience. Just here for the journey and be supportive to you and Mary.

 

[RoyalChick]

I'm tempted to take a peek under Mary but I'll hold off until tomorrow morning (Saturday - incubation day 23 for the bantam eggs).

If there's no sign when I look under her tomorrow, I'll go and get a heat plate (I should keep one on hand anyway) and the four 2 day old chicks.

I'll give Mary the chicks later on Saturday night. If she doesn't take them, they can go in a brooder with the heat plate.

The alternative course of action is to continue waiting up to day 26. Then try to find day old chicks on Tuesday (there won't be any).

Or wait until day 24 and maybe get four chicks from a weekend hatch. I've called one of the chicken breeders to explore this possibility.

Is 24 days really long enough to be sure the eggs have quit?

 

[MaryJanet]

Is 24 days really long enough to be sure the eggs have quit?

I'm not sure. Perris mentioned 20 days for bantams. I can continue waiting but it obliges Mary to stay much longer in lockdown without eating, but I know she can nibble the straw if she needs to.

 

[MaryJanet]

I don't have any experience to help, I know @BY Bob will and is someone "like you".... who thinks things through carefully.

I know how much hope and care you set into this. I wish Mary and you and can have an outcome that feels right.

Thank you for the kind wishes Manue. Fingers crossed those slow pokes come out of their shells

 

[MaryJanet]

Sort of. They were in the house for a few hours in a tote, but it would have been tricky if we had needed to continue more than a couple of weeks.

I have a big bird cage I can put a skirt on a fill with wood shavings. It holds 3 adult hens, so it should be plenty big enough for a few chicks if it's needed for that purpose.