November/December "Hatch-a-Long"

[Chuckfriedrice]

this nightmare just occurred to me too, we've had heaps of power cuts lately. ? Fingers crossed for you:/

We found out it was a squirrel that caused it .

 

[Heidisgran]

How do I join???

 

[familypendragon]

Adding a few more things that I use frequently in the case of assisted hatches.

Hubby got me a set of tweezers like this http://www.waleapparatus.com/catalog.asp?prodid=759744&showprevnext=1 and the one I use the most is the one with the bend in it. I find it very handy for removing shell from the air cell without risking losing control and going too low.

I also keep a 7/32 drill bit handy (anywhere around that size would be fine - what you don't need is tiny or huge). I use the side of the point (the sharp point that isn't the tip but is the end of the ridge if that makes any sense at all) to gently rotate and make the first part of an artificial pip in the top (not center as that is thickest - but a little off the center) of the air cell. I then use the tip to make a smooth gentle hole without accidentally cracking the shell. Once I see membrane I use the angle tip tweezers and gently and oh so carefully puncture the membrane by inserting one prong in and up toward the center top so I don't touch the internal membrane or chick. Then I remove a tiny bit of shell smaller than the size of my pinky nail. I use the light to shine through the air cell while I look through the hole to see what is going on inside.

I keep a box of q-tips and a mug for distilled water. If I have to work on a chick and the membrane is exposed I warm the water in the microwave to about my body temp so that I can use a qtip dipped in water to routinely wet the membrane or unstick it if I need to.

I also keep a pair of very sharp very short (like cuticle type) scissors. I use these for cutting the membrane very carefully BETWEEN the veins when I have to do a "head extraction" on a severely malpositioned chick (head down between thighs or down into belly. I also use it when I need to cut an umbilical cord.

A jar of coconut oil (which is naturally antibacterial) - I use some on a qtip and paint the veins on the membrane ONLY AFTER the chick is pipped through the membrane and breathing air (otherwise you may smother it). This prevents the veins from drying out and keeps the membrane clear there so you can view if the blood is absorbed yet without having to open the bator.

I keep a bottle of Providone Iodine and use a qtip to dab all navals after birth.

I keep corn starch on hand in case I need to stop any bleeding on any navals - I once used it to stop a small pin prick bleed on the membrane too.

I have a dropper bottle of liquid b 12, colloidal silver, vitamin e liquid, and vet rx to use when warranted.

If I think of anything else that has come in handy I will post it too I know I may sound crazy but I very rarely lose a chick to malposition anymore and it makes me feel much better to know I can usually save them.

 

[familypendragon]

THANKS!! Looking into all of these things!  In the mean time, consider my spirits lifted!  I'm SO excited!  Someone locally advertised that they had too many chickens to feed throughout the winter and wanted to sell 4 for $10.  I called....for $10 I am picking up tomorrow: 1 speckled Sussex hen, 1 Cochin Frizzle cross rooster and 3 cochin frizzle cross hens!  So cute!  I can't wait!!

Yay!! That is awesome IMO, make sure when you get them home to treat for lice and mites (and maybe worms) right away. I have had soooo many bad experiences with bringing birds home and thinking they were fine, LOL! OMG... here is a pic of what was living on one of my most expensive birds when I got her home (after she'd already been treated with Ivomec).

 

[Heidisgran]

my Marans that are due Saturday have a pip!!

 

[Heidisgran]

Quote:

grodie!

 

[Heidisgran]

Quote: did your chicky with the pip hatch?

 

[familypendragon]

 grodie!

I know right??? Hee hee hee - you said "grodie"

 

[Heidisgran]

here's some of my babies from Sept...cream legbars and silkies...my little silkie roo (roo roo)

 

[DeannaA]

19 fertile eggs and 17 have hatched. Two eggs still in the incubator (day 23 today) and they can stay in there a little bit longer just in case! Very happy with my first incubation and planning the next one already (don't mention that to my husband)!!

So cute and colorful.

Another toeless chick moved!!! Like got up and walked a tiny bit!!!!!!Yay!!!!!

What kind of chicks? How many didn't have toes? WHere they your eggs? I wonder if it was a vitamin deficancy. I hope they do ok. I have a few specail needs chicks. They are very sweet.

THANKS!! Looking into all of these things! In the mean time, consider my spirits lifted! I'm SO excited! Someone locally advertised that they had too many chickens to feed throughout the winter and wanted to sell 4 for $10. I called....for $10 I am picking up tomorrow: 1 speckled Sussex hen, 1 Cochin Frizzle cross rooster and 3 cochin frizzle cross hens! So cute! I can't wait!!

rgb tajdbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbzq
Sorry that was a visit from Sara. I'm sure you know but just in case you didn't, I thought I'd let you know about breeding 2 frizzles together. I haven't done it but have read a lot about it because i have 2 boys and a girl. If 2 frizzles produce a chick it's feathers will be VERY brittle and break off if you touch them. I have read lots of people saying it can cause death. After looking into it further and writing to people that have done it, it doesn't appear to be true. Extra curly very brittle feathers and possible issues from that, but not death. I don't know if it is every chick or some chicks. I haven't decided if I'm going to do it or not mine are only 10 weeks. Do you have pictures of your new chickens?