I was hoping to find some mod game bantams ever since we saw them at the state fair last summer. I finally bought some shipped eggs and hope to have some black mod game bantams hatching soon.
About 1/2 the eggs developed. They are in lockdown. Two went under my broody silkie and the others are being watched carefully.
Day 21 = Sat afternoon.
Any advice for hatching? (I'm trying to keep the humidity up as high as I can. temp 99.5'F and humidity now about 65%.)
I've read that they are very delicate. Are they more so than seramas & OEG?
I like to feed my chicks a higher protein than the reg chick starter. I normally use meatbird crumbles or a gamebird formula (if it's not too pricey). Is that OK for mod games? Are there any special vitamin supplements or personal tips for keeping these tiny chicks safe?
For hatching, they can be quite difficult. I always have two incubators set up, one for hatching, and one to move them into after they are fully out of their shells, where they can dry before being moved into the heated brooder. Just as a warning, make sure when they start to peep, that no liquidy substances come out of the egg. If they do, make sure they don’t block of the peep hole, so the chick can breath, and that it doesn’t stick your egg to the turner/incubator. If it does stick, then the chick won’t be able to move the egg around to help in hatch.
I’m not too experienced with Serena’s, so I can’t compare them, but they are delicate. Some have also have been known as chicks to not eat or drink if they aren’t shown where to go, so make sure you show them where their food and water is! Good luck with your babies, share pictures when they hatch!
For chicks, escpecially bantams, I suggest getting medicated starter/crumbles. Not everyone does this, but my feeding schedule has been very successful. I feed medicated starter until about 3-4 months of age, then I switch them to a pellet. For moderns, small crumbles aren’t the best, especially not meat bird crumbles. You want moderns to be small, and light, but with a lead like bottom. Simple pellets (I use 18% protein feather fixer pellets) don’t have too much fat, but gives them that nice body. These pellets are also what multiple big time breeders/showers feed. But the things with moderns, they can’t be fed too much, they get heavy/fat easily, and that’s not good for their health. I use a kitchen measuring spoon of 1/3 Cup, and each chicken gets a scoop of that. Also, on the topic of feed, DO NOT allow them to eat ANYTHING moldy!! Whether that be feed, or grass or mold growing under poop or a pile of old feed outside. Mold is bad for chickens in general, but even worse for moderns for whatever reason. I was feeding one day when my birds still had outside pen, and they had scratched their food out of the feeder in the ground, and it rained that night. I picked up the feeder, and there was a bit of mold. I turned away for a few seconds to refill the food, and turned to the three chickens all eating the moldy feed. They all got sick, snotty noses, all puffed up. Only one of the three survived, and he now has a permanent rattle. Just a warning to keep your babies safe!
I think I answered all your questions, if I forgot something let me know!!
