My first incubation experience!

[charcamchickens]

I agree...they definitely look viable. The 2 that pipped this morning aren't much further on...holes a bit bigger but no zipping yet. They are making a lot of Cheeping noises so hopefully that's a good sign. I am resisting the urge to help as I've read you can do more harm than good. I'll update with pics when they pop out...reckon it's about 11 ours now from first pip hole, but some on this site say it can take 24 hours from first pip to full hatch. Need to get my brooder warmed up ready to go. I'm going to put a layer of chopped straw topped with a layer of kitchen roll...trying to make it easier to clean out...should just be able to refresh the kitchen roll most of the time. I read that newspaper isn't very good as they can slip on it and injure their legs or feet.

 

[charcamchickens]

Hours!

 

[ahmedamir]

Ya, I've read that too. At least give them 24 hours or so to let them be as they are for a bit. Meanwhile, read this article. Good resource for someone like us who are new to this stuff.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

 

[ahmedamir]

One thing I forgot to mention that I got one egg cracked as my thermometer fall over it on the very first day. It's showing no sign of development. I'll try post some of it's candling pics. Don't have them right now. I am thinking to give it a few more days. Anything else that I should do? I have already separate it from rest of the lot.

 

[ahmedamir]

@charcamchickens waiting for some pics

 

[charcamchickens]

Here are the first chicks. I now have three, they are in the brooder and making a lot of cheeping noises...they seem happy and have started drinking and pecking at the chick feed.
With the one you have that cracked its prob fine as long as the membrane is still intact. Good idea to separate it from the others..my chicks were climbing all over the other eggs when they popped out...would ruin a cracked egg! I have just candles my 2 duck eggs to see if they are still go-ers and both have movement so if all goes well will have a couple of duckling by next Tues/Wed. I still have one hen egg which is overdue...candled it...still looks ok but couldn't see any movement...going to give it another couple of days. I've taken on some more eggs that a hen had started sitting on (belonged to some friends)...have now put them in with the ducks eggs...not sure if any are viable...I can see a dark shadow inside so might be ok. I think they cooled down quite a bit before I got them in the incubater though...so may not come to anything.
anyway, hope you like this little piccie. Will post more later on. I bet you can't wait now. Last few days was agonising!

 

[charcamchickens]

I'm sure I read somewhere on this site of someone else who had a cracked egg...they mentioned sealing it with something...not sure what though. I'll see if I can find the post.

 

[charcamchickens]

ok...found the post...amazingly some suggested nail varnish...apparently it worked fine as long as the crack isn't where they are likely to pip (the fat end). Others have used hot candle wax which they scraped off just before the hatch due date. People on here saying both methods worked...might be worth a go...I would prob try a tiny bit of clear nail varnish if it was me...I'd be worried about the heat from the hot wax I think.

 

[charcamchickens]

btw the kitchen roll has been a very good idea. The chicks seem to like the feel of it and it has been incredibly easy to keep them clean. I have a layer of chopped straw with a couple of squares of kitchen roll under my brinsea ecoglow 20 heater...the chicks seems to spend most of their time under it so most of the poop goes on the paper...takes seconds to refresh. I saw the first chick pecking at the chopped straw so I put a few crumbs of the chick feed on the kitchen paper...it was gobbled up! I've also noticed if I tap the chopped straw the chicks come running to see what I'm doing...easy way to get them out from under the heater to check on them...I just tap and they come running. ;-) I also have a small light in the brooder which I'm switching of at night...low energy bulb but still don't want to run the risk of a fire.

 

[jeffhill76225]

Ok I have a dumb question whats a kitchen rolk