November/December "Hatch-a-Long"

[gimmie birdies]

when I build my incubators- the housing I use recycled stuff- but the lamp I would not get second hand, you have to really trust it. I also went with my small box because the use a smaller bulb, less dangerous. plus the heat shield, and foil the bottom.

 

[MrsJenSmith2007]

Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement everyone! Would have given up a long time ago without all of you!!

I had to go back to work today and hubby got called out of state for work for the next several days (we are in WV, he is going to NY!) so I had to let the eggs incubate without my watchful eye today...haha. I'm sure they can do without me! I'm hoping I get home to bunches of babies scampering around or at least some pips! If NOT I am going to candle tonight. I think I need to see what's going on in there. IF I find no viable baby chicks I will open them up. I'm fairly certain I saw at least one egg rocking this morning, and this egg has been rocking for days! Surely there is at least one baby in there! The worst was leaving my baby chick today! Had I known that my hubby wasn't going to be home, it would be in my classroom right now! haha. Best part of being a teacher, my animals are considered cute learning projects, not nuisances like at most jobs! If he is still a lone baby tomorrow, he will be meeting some little kiddos! He's so cute and sweet, I just hate to leave him without a friend. I did give him a beanie baby that he was snuggled up to in the brooder when I left. I will update when I get home and let you know if there is any good or bad news.

 

[Varglet]

Finally took a pic of all the babies together. Should have one more golden/yellow and one more black one tonight or tomorrow. The older one is from my Delaware pullet, the little ones are from my d'Uccle and Silkie pullets.

 

[sweetappleacres]

Hello all, it's been a few weeks since I've been on here since I've been busy caring for my pox ridden flock. Although the bad cases are starting to clear up, and the main flock seems to have evaded the sickness, unfortunately there have been some fatalities. I lost my buff hen, 2-1 month olds. I'm now down to 3 babies that look really horrible in the ear area, but otherwise fine.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I had to leave my babies once to go to AZ for a week. they had 5 days to go, so I knew they would be with out me for 2 days. I set them up in a large incubator I made, put them all under the light. with food and water on the edges. when I got back I had 6 hatched, and one stuck in the egg who survived. so 7, with 4 of the eggs that were pushed out from under the light from the chicks running around. they found the food and water on their own and all was well.

normally I am not a set those eggs on the floor of the incubator kind of girl, but this was okay.

 

[Farmer Viola]

when I build my incubators- the housing I use recycled stuff- but the lamp I would not get second hand, you have to really trust it. I also went with my small box because the use a smaller bulb, less dangerous. plus the heat shield, and foil the bottom.

okay, thanks for the tips!

 

[Heidisgran]

Hello all, it's been a few weeks since I've been on here since I've been busy caring for my pox ridden flock. Although the bad cases are starting to clear up, and the main flock seems to have evaded the sickness, unfortunately there have been some fatalities. I lost my buff hen, 2-1 month olds. I'm now down to 3 babies that look really horrible in the ear area, but otherwise fine.

UGH!! so sorry...glad it's coming to the end

 

[Heidisgran]

Quote: just a warning...I am experienced...don't let that humidity drop down below 25%
most important to use hydrometers...more than 1

the chicks don't get babied under hens...just sayin!

 

[MrsJenSmith2007]

I need advice. My heart is so broken right now. I just had to bury 12 chicks, 5 of which were completely formed and just never pipped, the rest of which were very close. They were all big and beautiful. What hapif I don't know happened??? The last time mine all but one just quit super early or never developed at all. Much easier to take. I candled when I got home and could make out whole chicks, but no movement. The fully formed chicks seemed dry to me, but my humidity was good. In fact I worried over it being to high because literally my viewing window was covered in condensation much of the time during lockdown. I now have one lonely chick peeping for me all the time, and I work so being here constantly just isn't an option. I am going to have to search locally for some day olds. If I can't find a definite cause for why I lost these babies like this, I just don't know if I can do this again. I mean, of course the WANT to incubate again, but how can I if I don't know what I did to cause these sweet babies to die like this?? I'm sorry if I'm being dramatic. I'm just a mess of tears right now. Never like dealing with animals dying, but 12 fully formed beautiful chicks I have worked so hard to get is a bit much for me tonight.

 

[faerieannette]

I am feeling the same as you right now. :-( I had a pip even took a video of the little peep then not more then 5 hours later it was dead in the shell. I had alot of problems with this hatch because the post office took an extra day and when the eggs arrived 4 were broken. There were lots of quitters at every stage but I incubated anyway being hopeful. My first hatch went really well with shipped eggs. I am so emotionally drained imagining every little squeek in the floor i hear is a peep. tis day 22 here and i am keeping the last 4 eggs in for a while and crossing my fingers. I had a drop in humidity for a short time. maybe that was my problem. I don't know.

Don't feel bad about being upset. I totally understand and sympathize