New to being an "electric mother"... HELP!!

[riverlane91]

I am completely new to incubation, I have always done it the old fasion way until my little bantie hen decided to mess up my process. She is very young and decided she wanted to have babies, so she started setting. BUT, then I caught her rolling all the other chickens eggs under her until she had a pile of about 26, I left her about 8 (she is down to 6) now, and I took the rest to incubate since they were not good to eat by that point and I didnt want to just throw away babies. I had my first chick 2 days ago, I made a brooder out of an antique wash tub with a heat lamp that I had for my pet turtle (who recently passed away..... this is clearly not my month!) Well, I dont think it put off enough heat and the chick passed away this morning. BUT I was up all night with a chick who couldnt break through the membrane, so after getting up every hour and doing things I read on here to help him, he finally made his appearance into the world just minutes before his brother passed away . I have 2 more that are started pipping in the incubator. My brooder is staying between 92.5 and 95. Is this good?? I had to go to work but luckily I have such good neighbors with chickens that they will be keeping an eye on everything. I am asking for any tips, ideas, ANYTHING to help me keep these babies Alive!!

( I did not mention that my setting hen is on a roost off the ground. She hatched one out be it fell and broke a leg and did not make it. I had to put up baracades so they dont fall out again. I tried to move her and the eggs but she wasnt having it and has a pretty sharp beak .)

Anything will help!! Thanks in advance!!

 

[iwiw60]

Quote: You can and should move her as her nest is off the ground and have already lost one chick. Broodies can be downright vicious at times....wear a long sleeve shirt and GLOVES ... move her at night, pick up the entire nest, eggs and all, and place in your new location...that broody will be right on your rear following you and carrying on screaming her head off...just keep doing what you're doing. Watch to make sure your broody settles down in her new location.

Best of luck and let us know how it goes!!

 

[riverlane91]

ok I will give it a shot when I get home! I have also been reading that you should leave the chiks in the incubator for a while after hatch.... but, I had to help mine, after that I dried it off with a town trying to get the gluey stuff off and but it in the brooder next to the heat lamp. Do you think it will be ok?? My neighbor said it was sound asleep under the light and breathing was quck (unlike the one who passed, his was slow). What do you think?? Did I screw up bad?! I will say that I will leave the two that are on their way in longer next time!

 

[spotsplus]

Your brooder temperature should be 95 degrees for the first week. Sorry to hear you lost the chick- sometimes it's genetic and something wrong internally. Good luck with the rest of the eggs!

 

[riverlane91]

Also, will the sore on it's butt where it was attached heal up on its own??

 

[iwiw60]

Also, will the sore on it's butt where it was attached heal up on its own??

Yes, it should....

 

[riverlane91]

Awesome! you guys have been helpful! I am going to work on a little different brooder when I get home. Also, my neighbor went down and checked on it and said that it is doing good, BUT, there are now 3! ANND the eggs I thought were not developing, now have pips! Mother nature is cool!

 

[iwiw60]

Awesome! you guys have been helpful! I am going to work on a little different brooder when I get home. Also, my neighbor went down and checked on it and said that it is doing good, BUT, there are now 3! ANND the eggs I thought were not developing, now have pips! Mother nature is cool!

When your hatching is all said and done you might put some sugar in their waterer...gives 'em a little boost for energy. What kind of brooder box setup do you have now? Pics???? If you live close to a farmers market you might be able to find an empty melon bin or corn bin...they are PERfect for brooders!! Keep us updated!!! Can't wait to see pics of the little fuzzy-butts!!

 

[Kathryn173]

The chick may have been took out of the incubator too early, I leave mine in it for 24 hours after hatching.

 

[riverlane91]

My neighbor went back down and put the new chick back into the incubator with it's new brothers and sisters. I was using an old wastub and put a heat lamp on the top of it. but, it wasnt keeping it warm enough, so I am bringing home a big cardboard box. I am going to put wire across the top of it and let the heat lamp sit on top of it and shine down, rather than clamp on the side and not have all the heat directed to them. And, i have to stop at the animal store on my way home for dog food so I will get a thermometer to keep in the bottom of the brooder to let me know how warm it is. Seems like a better plan than what I have been doing.