My first incubation experience!

[charcamchickens]

ok...here we have ducklings, just a short time after they hatched...and some updates on the chicks. The last photo is of chick number 5, it has curly frizz. it may be a Frizzle...I'm not sure, I'll have to check with the people I got the eggs from. This last photo shows the chick going to sleep in my hand. Chick 5 is very small, I had to introduce it to the others one at a time in a separate box as the older chicks were pecking at it. They're all in together now and seem to be getting on ok. The ducklings are now also in the brooder, in a separate box under the heater...to give them some peace while they get stronger. I'll post more pics of the duckling when they're all fluffed up.

 

[ahmedamir]

Oh...not sure where that is on my iPad...all I can see is the flag. Anyway...got home from work and I have 2 lovely little duckling waiting for me. They are having a little sleep, resting their heads on each other! I'll take some pics in a minute. Chick number 5 is very small and seems to have curly blond hair/fluff.

Sounds cute

 

[ahmedamir]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing

 

[charcamchickens]

I'm a bit worried about chick 5...it is chirping loudly pretty much all of the time except at night when they're all in the dark. It settles down to sleep with the others ok. I have been dipping its beak in a small cap of water as I haven't seen it drinking for itself yet...all of the other chicks and ducklings are sorting themselves out with food and water. Chick 5 also seems very small compared to the others...really tiny. I did see it try to peck at a few bits of food from my hand so maybe it'll be ok.
I gave the ducklings their first swimming session this evening, just a shallow bathroom sink! They were paddling and started preening, one dipped its head under...they really enjoyed it. Chicks 1-3 are all developing strong feathers on their wings...one flew on top of the heater today. Chick 4 is also looking strong...just the curly little chick 5 that worries me.

 

[charcamchickens]

forgot to mention that the ducklings are now both in with the chicks. I separated them in the brooder for the first day, they couldn't stand and the bigger chicks were trying to peck them. The separation was simple, just a small open top box under the heater...I put some kitchen roll in there to keep it clean and stop them slipping on the shiny surface of the box. I put a small dish of water in with them. I then tried them without the separate box and it seems the older chicks just get used to new additions after a while...I think separation was necessary though as the bigger chicks were ganging up on anything new. I think the separate area allowed the bigger chicks to hear/smell the new members of the brooder so they eventually realised they'd been there all along.

 

[Farm Mommy]

We got peeps they are still hatching. I will let ya know how many latter today.

 

[charcamchickens]

good for you Farm Mommy...hope all goes well! We have another one hatching...its quite a big egg so no idea what will be coming out...it is definitely a hen egg though! Chick 5 is still a worry....shouting its head off all day long. The only time it will stop is if I pick it up...then it goes to sleep. I have been dipping its beak in water which is seems to get down ok...I still haven't seen it take a drink by itself. I also managed to pop a couple of crumbs of feed into its beak. I'm kind of expecting to wake up one morning to bad news....but I'll keep trying. It is walking round the brooder but looks very lost and unstable. The ducklings had their second swim in the sink this morning...they are doing really well.

 

[Dr Norah]

Hi everyone, we are on day 13 and have not candled yet. We are going to so that tonight. We have 19 chicken eggs and after reading all of your posts have incredibly increased my excitement! We really want to end up with 6 so here's hoping.

 

[Dr Norah]

Ok so just candled our 19 egg, 13 fertilized, 2 not sure, they are very dark eggs and 4 definitely not fertilized.....so exciting. My kids are super excited to. So next weekend they should begin their hatching process. Thanks for all the videos, I obsessively watched them today and knew exactly what to look for. So here is hoping we have some good results next weekend.

 

[ahmedamir]

good for you Farm Mommy...hope all goes well! We have another one hatching...its quite a big egg so no idea what will be coming out...it is definitely a hen egg though! Chick 5 is still a worry....shouting its head off all day long. The only time it will stop is if I pick it up...then it goes to sleep. I have been dipping its beak in water which is seems to get down ok...I still haven't seen it take a drink by itself. I also managed to pop a couple of crumbs of feed into its beak. I'm kind of expecting to wake up one morning to bad news....but I'll keep trying. It is walking round the brooder but looks very lost and unstable. The ducklings had their second swim in the sink this morning...they are doing really well.

I strongly wish that chick5 should made it. He seems troubled. I ain't no expert. May be some real expert here may help you out. Try start a new thread with some pics of him. Though, meanwhile try to check his vent, make sure there is no build up there and he is pooping Ok. If there's build up try to make it damp with some damp cloth/ tissue then remove it. If he ain't taking feed or water himself, you may have to make him do it. If he makes the first 2-3 weeks then I am sure he'll be fine then hopefully.