November 22: "Hatch Finished" Now with PIC'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dane Chick]

Neferset- " Put that down to "stuff happens." I had that problem a lot when I was hatching eggs on their sides." Thank you for the reply. Is there a scientific name for what occurred that you know of? Also, how do you currently hatch, if not on the sides? Do you use an egg carton? I am worried that i may have damaged the 2 chirping eggs prospects of hatching by listening to them this morning and putting them back under the mother. This hatching is more nerve wracking then i had anticipated. I am glad i was on the birthing end of my four sons and not the waiting end, lol.

 

[abooth]

Nothing yet guys but looks like you all are doing well. Keep up the good work. Good thing we are celebrating my mom's birthday tonight. That way I will have to leave the house and stop staring at the bator! I am having a big breakfast party tomorrow. If the eggs are pipping then I don't know how I will be able to cook anything. lol

 

[neferset]

When I have a broody hen, I usually leave almost everything alone. We haven't had a lot of trouble with our broodies, though, and some have. Mine have lost a few hatches, but mainly because the humans didn't realize they were brooding in that odd place and accidentally cut them off from it. The only thing I do is mark all the eggs under a hen once I'm sure she's setting. If I see new ones, I take them out. (I do this during her rest periods.)

In the incubator, last time I hatched in cartons. I've since bought plastic egg carriers for camping that I modified for the job. (2 12 sized slightly modified gives you 48 egg capacity.) I am a little nervous about them because I don't want the chicks trying to crawl around on smooth plastic. Anyway, I think when the eggs are upright in cartons like that, the chicks have to work harder to get out at the end and can rest longer inside the egg. It keeps the chick from pulling away too soon. Where, the time before, I lost chicks for the same reason you lost the duct tape chick, I didn't lose any in cartons for that reason. The only real issues I've had are with low humidity and fluctuating temps. That's not the carton so much as the time of year.

 

[neferset]

I got out the critter keeper for my little Lint and I tried to set it up in the brooder for him. Immediately he fell in the water dish and got soaked. So, he's back in the incubator. I can't seem to remember where we put the bird cage style waterers and feeders. Those would be perfect for one little guy by himself (for a week, next week he will hopefully have youngsters to play with). If I continue to not be able to find them, does anyone have any suggestions? Using the cap from a mayo container doesn't seem to work. It takes up too much floor space and my little guy falls into it.

 

[k2chickens]

loveing the pictures guy's!!!! im so sry about DT. I was really pulling for the little guy. Abooth, you and me are in the same boat. I just started day 20 and nothing.....all banty eggs.

To be honest...im really starting to worry. I mean i know day 20 just started...but the last 2 hatches i did i ether had a baby on day 19 or at least some pip's on day 20. Day 17 was my last candle and i had huge dark masses and movement still then.

it's killing me!!!

 

[Dane Chick]

Thanks for the condolences regarding DT. It looked so encouraging and ended so badly. Upon looking at him he was HUGE. I wonder if that added to the issues he faced in hatching. The other two eggs that were chirping this morning are still making noise (the banty of the two has pipped) so hopefully i will still have fluffy butts for my little son when he gets home from school. The last of the six is quiet so either it needs more time or it is a dude.
Regarding a water dish for Lint... i have had 'Peep' this week all by herself and i have been using a sauce dish made for sushi (low and not that wide) for her water and another one that came with Ranch dipping sauce at a restaurant with feed in it that is smaller in diameter but deeper. I can send you a pic if you want, they are both working well. She is loving the make up compact mirror and especially the beanie chicken. She sleeps on its back and can always be found cuddled against it. Good luck with Lint, and thank you to all the new friends who have responded and been supportive! (oh btw, all my broody eggs were due today - so they are right on schedule).

 

[k2chickens]

Quote:
im very happy for you! incubating and hatching are one thing but useing a real live hen to do your work is nothing short of amazing! I hope one day i get to expeiance a hatch like that.

 

[kooltex]

Quote:
Hang in there! There's still time yet.


I received my bantam cornish eggs today! NOT a single egg was broken!!! They were packed soooo well!!!

And my bob's are still hatching, c'mon bob's!

 

[kooltex]

intenschk -
Sorry about DT. G'luck with your other eggs!

 

[neferset]

The rough bit with Lint is knowing I have a brooder full of babies who would accept him, but he is so small compared to some of them and he's the only one. I've had little ones get crushed before. No more than 2 weeks apart is my rule and only if the majority are younger.