November/December "Hatch-a-Long"

[Heidisgran]

Quote:
X2

 

[Heidisgran]

To I woke up and found Max lying on her side stretched out, cold, eyes closed. I picked her up and she barely moved. I don't know why. She was perfect 45 minuutes earlier. I heated her up, fed her, gave her nutri drench and she is acting much better but now I have to leave her for the first time since she hatched. I will be gone about 6 hours. I will be so worried.

oh D....let us know how she's doing asap!

 

[Heidisgran]

Ok people, its been a while since I have checked on this thread.... I have a silkie sitting on 2 eggs, eggs three got stepped on when my bully Americauna insisted on laying her eggs in Momma Hen's box

Today is day 15, 6 days left. I candled last night and there are nice veins and lots of movement in one, not quite as much in the other. I have a few questions though...

What is "lock down"??? When does this start and should I leave her alone during that time?

Also, she is still trying to sit on the wrong eggs. She will go out to potty and eat, and come back to sit on the wrong eggs. When I am home, I check on her every 4 hours or so, but when I work night shift and sleep all day, I cannot do that. Will she begin to sit consistently and not leave in the last few days??

Since she frequently does this, will the eggs take longer to hatch?

Also, when is a good time to move momma and babies to a lower box? They are "second story" and I am hesitant to move her before the eggs hatch. I doubt day old chicks could climb out so maybe the day they are hatched?? Thanks

These last six days are going to kill me!

yes they will....if you move her to a secluded place she shouldn't leave her eggs...mine don't

 

[Heidisgran]

Quote:
I love all my birds!! and most of them let me handle them but the banties and the silkies ride around on our shoulders like parrots! I adore my brahmas!!

 

[Heidisgran]

Quote: Same. I had a Cochin bantam pullet that was THE sweetest thing ever, but she passed away sadly. After her, my friendliest bird is a big Brahma rooster! Follows me around everywhere wanting petted.
I have a blue and green partridge brahma rooster " colonial sanders" and a dark brahma rooster "Oreo"...
my beautiful loves!!

 

[Heidisgran]

Quote:
that's not hot enough to kill them

I can't remember exact numbers but it's 79 at the coolest and 104 at the hottest for death... something in that range

short periods of a swing will be okay...too hot or too cold for any length and you'll have a chance of deformities

even hens have temp swings

 

[princess523]

Well I'm leaving it be. Its got the others moving around and sounds like a healthy chirp! Its still probably a day ahead of the rest but maybe the hatch will synchronize if I let it be.

 

[princess523]

Thanks chickydee and heidisgran!

 

[chicketydooda]

that's not hot enough to kill them

I can't remember exact numbers but it's 79 at the coolest and 104 at the hottest for death... something in that range

short periods of a swing will be okay...too hot or too cold for any length and you'll have a chance of deformities

even hens have temp swings

Thank you so much. I have been a nervous wreck!

 

[lizgarf]

perfect plan chickdee....I also have and "nursery" the broodies get put in there to sit and hatch....at about 5 weeks they go back to their big coop all on their own....the last broody went in and laid her clutch without me having to move her!!!! smart bird!

What do you think of moving them right before the hatch, at like day 20 or something? Is that too risky for the eggs? I'm worried these particular hens aren't going to want to be cooped up in a dog crate until it's clear their babies need them. Frida, in particular, was the most intent on leaving the dog crate as a pullet, and I'm worried she might freak out if she's stuck in one again.