November/December "Hatch-a-Long"

[Cknldy]

Well, the one that pipped last night at 8 p.m. is gone. I was up around the clock with it- checking humidity and progress. At 4 a.m. it was breaking big chunks off but not going through the membrane past the pip. I slit the membrane around to its beak- afterall I really want these to hatch! At 4:48 it was doing good so I laid back down. 5:08 it was cheeping like crazy so I thought it had hatched. Since I had to be up in 10 minutes I just laid there smiling about a new chick- much to the chick's demise! It was cheeping because it was running out of air! It had zipped big chunks around but again not the membrane. I am KICKING myself right now for not getting up that one last time because I would have slit the membrane and let it do the rest. It was a Bobbi Porto blue roo over black and blue- turned out black and would have been gorgeous:-( A white silkie is currently zipping and every time it makes a noise I jump up to see what is wrong I don't want to go anywhere today just in case something happens....

 

[Cknldy]

I think they use more effort and energy when doing big chunks and it wears them out. From what happened with mine I will be watching "chunkers" closely!

The latest hatch The first one to hatch, I did a quick grab and took it out, he/she is 48 hours old and it's going to be awhile before the rest of them hatch. Getting better about mobility but still can't really walk right, a step or two at most then falls on it's side. I put a number of things in the box for traction and also to lean against and it seems to be helping. One of the Rhodebars pipped and is starting to zip Not sure if this one is zipping normally, the shell is coming off in chunks but the membrane isn't. But the chick has successfully torn the membrane with each shell chunk so it seems to be working. I think the big chunk missing was some "help" from the dark brown chick, it kept running into the egg and I saw some cracks in that area.

 

[Heidisgran]

He likes to sit and look out the window. He still goes with me everywhere. He has only been away from me once and he had a sitter. I took him to Tractor Supply yesterday. I could have been in and out but several people stopped to talk about him, take his picture, pet him. It took 1 1/2 hours. I don't mind. And he likes getting petted. Just when I think he's getting too big for cuddles, he snuggles up. Love my Max.

we love him too

 

[Heidisgran]

I think they use more effort and energy when doing big chunks and it wears them out. From what happened with mine I will be watching "chunkers" closely!
Quote: I have a little faverolle that walked unsteady at first as I got to examining her she has some toes fused together...she strong and walks fine now

 

[Heidisgran]

Well, the one that pipped last night at 8 p.m. is gone. I was up around the clock with it- checking humidity and progress. At 4 a.m. it was breaking big chunks off but not going through the membrane past the pip. I slit the membrane around to its beak- afterall I really want these to hatch! At 4:48 it was doing good so I laid back down. 5:08 it was cheeping like crazy so I thought it had hatched. Since I had to be up in 10 minutes I just laid there smiling about a new chick- much to the chick's demise! It was cheeping because it was running out of air! It had zipped big chunks around but again not the membrane. I am KICKING myself right now for not getting up that one last time because I would have slit the membrane and let it do the rest. It was a Bobbi Porto blue roo over black and blue- turned out black and would have been gorgeous:-( A white silkie is currently zipping and every time it makes a noise I jump up to see what is wrong I don't want to go anywhere today just in case something happens....

I'm so sorry!! quite honestly tho if it couldn't hatch it's little self it had issues that would have caused the same out come most likely

I helped one that couldn't get it's self out but found out it had a peg leg...the other chicks picked on it....and it never would eat.

 

[Heidisgran]

Quote: vetrx is all natural so it's not going to hurt I rub it on their beaks and their feet under their wings .....hope its not a cold....change the bedding a few times a day! that's the part about hatching in the winter I hate they can't really go out much and the bedding is a real chore

 

[Heidisgran]

I slept in until 7, then Max decided it was time for me to get up. He was standing on me, staring me down. Since that wasn't working, I may have peeked, he grabbed my my shirt, pulled on it and ran away. I guess he thought I wouldn't know it was him. I'm usually up earlier but since I've been locking my chickens in the coop, the roosters aren't so loud.

ha ha ha Max...he was lonely

 

[Varglet]

Couple more days until lockdown starts. I'm getting impatient again...

 

[DeannaA]

Looking for a nest in all the wrong places.



My two gimpy girls, Jack and Snowflake. They are so sweet always cuddled up together.


Lovely Max.

 

[Farmer Viola]

vetrx is all natural so it's not going to hurt I rub it on their beaks and their feet under their wings .....hope its not a cold....change the bedding a few times a day! that's the part about hatching in the winter I hate they can't really go out much and the bedding is a real chore

Whoa, a few times a day! I dont do that, for sure. Probably every other day. I always felt that when I add bedding, it kicked up more dust for a time. I will change it out more often and give some vetrx, thanks so much for your guidance!!!

the grass here has been frosted/frozen since they hatched. If it gets decent, I have a temporary pen so they could get a little grass and see the sun for the first time. Kinda sad that they haven't =\ I give them watercress, mustard greens and kale ("chicken salad") every day! kinda like grass?