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[cowtownchick]

Hello from Texas! Raising chicks for our children's 4-H project. Although it might be more for me than for them. We have a Rhode Island Red, an Ameraucana, a Black Maran and a Silkie.

 

[QueenMisha]

Welcome to BYC! It's great to have you.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello and welcome to BYC.

You'll find lots of info in the Learning Centre https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=learning+centre and if you have a specific topic in mind, just type it in the search box - there's a wealth of information on past and present threads.

You may wish to consider joining your state thread as it will put you in touch with other BYC members in your area - https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you

All the best
CT

 

[cmefferd]

I'm new on this. I have been reading up on some post which is very helpful. I am trying to hatch chicks in an incubator for the 1st time. I have 1 that is dark except at the oval part of the egg. Very little light left. The hatch is 21 days or could be a few days later . My question is that being dark almost to the tip and I can't tell if there is movement. Does this mean the chick is dead or should I give it a few more days?

 

[Pork Pie]

I'd say that since they should, in theory be hatching you have nothing to lose by leaving it in the incubator for another 3-4 days.

 

[cmefferd]

If all is well and they hatch, what kind of feed is safe for them? Can I leave them in the incubator when they hatch and for how long?

 

[Pork Pie]

Once all viable eggs have hatched, leave them in the incubator to dry off and become fluffy. Then you can put them in your brooder (with a heat source) with "chick / starter" feed (and water, obviously). If you don't have any chick / starter feed, you can blitz growers feed in a food processor. Its more convenient to get some chick / starter food though.

 

[cmefferd]

Thanks so much

 

[Pork Pie]

Thanks so much

You are most welcome. If you have any other questions, in the immediate future, the best place to post would be the "incubating and hatching eggs" forum. This link may also help - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/raising-your-baby-chicks

 

[drumstick diva]

Cowtownchick I recognize that white silkie from the "what breed or gender is this, " thread. Hi & Welcome to Backyard chickens