My first incubation experience!

[ahmedamir]

Hey Guys, I am bursting outta joy. Eggs in my bator started hatching today. First one came out around 5 hours before tonight. I went to check on them and almost yelled seeing one cracked shell. Couldn't resist the urge to share them with you. Right now, two got out. I separated them in a box as they were really messing up the other eggs. Any suggestion on the separation?

 

[loveourbirds]

congratulations on the hatch.... now the addiction starts LOL

 

[ahmedamir]

So far I only got the two in the picture. Moved them to the brooder this morning. Any suggestions on the remaining ones? I am getting bit worried about them now. Thanks

 

[charcamchickens]

hurray...well done Ahmedamir!!!! Very pleased for you! I bet you are now egg watching like mad. Your first chicks look great. The only thing I would suggest is maybe something in the bottom of the box to make it more grippy...looks like it might be a bit slippy and not very cosy to sit on when they want to crouch down, perhaps some paper towel/kitchen roll...it'll be easy to keep clean too.

Chick 5 (Smallie) is not looking too good...still alive but maybe it just isn't meant to be. I think I've done everything I can, not sure it will last too much longer. also a bit more difficult now Im back to work.
The other chicks and ducklings are doing very well...gave the ducklings a swim in the bath this evening...they loved it!
Good luck with your other eggs, sounds like it has all gone to plan ;-)

 

[ahmedamir]

hurray...well done Ahmedamir!!!! Very pleased for you! I bet you are now egg watching like mad. Your first chicks look great. The only thing I would suggest is maybe something in the bottom of the box to make it more grippy...looks like it might be a bit slippy and not very cosy to sit on when they want to crouch down, perhaps some paper towel/kitchen roll...it'll be easy to keep clean too.

Chick 5 (Smallie) is not looking too good...still alive but maybe it just isn't meant to be. I think I've done everything I can, not sure it will last too much longer. also a bit more difficult now Im back to work.
The other chicks and ducklings are doing very well...gave the ducklings a swim in the bath this evening...they loved it!
Good luck with your other eggs, sounds like it has all gone to plan ;-)

Ha. charcamchickens..... yeah absolutely. I even checked them after waking up in the middle of the night . Even dreamt eggs getting hatched all night . No other eggs hatched yet, but one will do soon IA as I can see the pipping started on it's shell. Others not showing much changes, worried about them. Praying to have a good healthy hatch.
I was thinking to put something too in the box, but, anyways, I now have moved them to brooder and placed sorta kitchen towels in there. Will post some pics too. The two chics are MA doing great. Ain't much eating anything but pecking at anything they can find. They finally figured how to drink the water too. From their behavior seems that the brooder is being hotter than needed. Right now the brooder temp is set to 95-100F, though, it already is 80-85 F here with around 40% humidity .
I hate losing them. That's the most helpless I feel against nature when I knew that I am gonna lose this one. I have had this experience lately and I wish no one have to have that sorta experience, but, life it is. Wishing him whatever is good for him.

 

[ahmedamir]

Well, to my utter delight the third one hatched when I went to check them after writing the above post . He is moved to the brooder right now. But I got only pics when he was just hatched, in the bator. Here are some pics. Suggestions welcome:








I changed my mind on sharing the just hatched pics. It looks quite gross , though, by the Grace of God, chick is completely fine.

 

[charcamchickens]

Aah...they look really cute. I think the kitchen paper is fine. Personally I would put chopped straw under the paper then just change the paper as and when needed. I only have the paper on the main areas they use, like under the heater and under the feed and water. Mine have started to scratch about, just like the adults do...they scratch to see if they can uncover a juicy morsel. Glad your other chick was ok. I know what you mean about dreaming about hatching eggs...same here! ;-)
All my chicks (except Smallie) now have a good set of tiny feathers...still lots of fluff too but they are really looking healthy and strong. Smallie is amazingly still hanging on! To be honest I thought I was going to come home today to find it dead but it is still breathing but looks really weak. I have tried my best to keep it warm, clean, watered and fed but other than some divine intervention I still think its not got much chance. The ducklings have just had another swim in our bath, lots of diving...they are amazing to watch...and already will come when I call and eat out of my hand. ;-)

 

[charcamchickens]

R.I.P. Smallie...very sad ;-( but probably for the best...at least I gave it a shot

 

[loveourbirds]

im sorry to hear about smallie. she was lucky to have someone who cares as much as you.

 

[ahmedamir]

R.I.P. Smallie...very sad ;-( but probably for the best...at least I gave it a shot

Oh, so sorry to hear that. Terrible feeling to loose someone knowingly ;(. Back then I have lost quite many chicks, fishes and even adult chickens, some of them I lost lately. I used to sit by their side for hours and hope that they miraculously jump out of their sleep .Now, with time I have started to believe that this was better for them instead of going through the pain/ suffering that they were having here and for sure you did way more than anyone, or at least I, could have done.

Let's rejoice the fact that you still have little fuzz balls to take care of .