October Hatch-A-Long 2017

[Harmony Fowl]

Indeed. Turns us all into nervous momma hens.#3 hatched. I'll post pics when I get a chance.

I have literally gone sleepless over hatching eggs.

My first ever chick hatched did so on day 21. It was a batch of winter eggs and I spent all night imagining she would be the only one. I was desperately searching for companions for her. By morning, another chick hatched and she wasn’t lonely anymore. Worst night of my recent memory!

 

[misslady]

Isn't it funny how an egg can bring about OCD tendencies?

YES! I seriously waste so much time just staring at the incubator, it’s a little like watching paint dry when you’re just waiting for pips.

So far five pips and none hatched. Lots of wiggling and peeping! Sleep will probably be minimal tonight.

Of course it does. Well, maybe if your chick with a normal aircell can hatch like that, maybe mine with a weird aircell will hatch normally!

No change on your egg with the funky air cell tonight? My wrong-end pip hasn’t made any changes yet, makes me nervous.

Awesome!! How exciting!! Can't wait to see pictures of the little fluffy butts!!

Will do! Whenever they finally decide to make an appearance, lol! We’re almost to day 22 now... they’re making me wait!

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

YES! I seriously waste so much time just staring at the incubator, it’s a little like watching paint dry when you’re just waiting for pips.

So far five pips and none hatched. Lots of wiggling and peeping! Sleep will probably be minimal tonight.




No change on your egg with the funky air cell tonight? My wrong-end pip hasn’t made any changes yet, makes me nervous.



Will do! Whenever they finally decide to make an appearance, lol! We’re almost to day 22 now... they’re making me wait!

I got one pipping on the side, which did not have a funky air cell. Can't tell much yet.

 

[Peep_Show]

Remember that once a pip happens it can be a full 24 hours before earnest zipping starts. Wonky chicks. Come visit already!

So many folks want to "help" the chick after the pip and no sign of a zip. Worst thing to do. This "resting phase" is when the bulging yolk nutrients are being soaked into the chick belly and the blood vessels are closing down. Peeling a hatching egg too soon results in lots of blood, a weak chick, and often navel problems.

Patience. Patience. Patience.

 

[misslady]

I got one pipping on the side, which did not have a funky air cell. Can't tell much yet.
View attachment 1150968 View attachment 1150969

Those little feathered legs are too cute! Pretty little birds!

Remember that once a pip happens it can be a full 24 hours before earnest zipping starts. Wonky chicks. Come visit already!

So many folks want to "help" the chick after the pip and no sign of a zip. Worst thing to do. This "resting phase" is when the bulging yolk nutrients are being soaked into the chick belly and the blood vessels are closing down. Peeling a hatching egg too soon results in lots of blood, a weak chick, and often navel problems.

Patience. Patience. Patience.

Agreed.

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

Remember that once a pip happens it can be a full 24 hours before earnest zipping starts. Wonky chicks. Come visit already!

So many folks want to "help" the chick after the pip and no sign of a zip. Worst thing to do. This "resting phase" is when the bulging yolk nutrients are being soaked into the chick belly and the blood vessels are closing down. Peeling a hatching egg too soon results in lots of blood, a weak chick, and often navel problems.

Patience. Patience. Patience.

I just had to help a chick out this morning. The only reason I did so was because he had made it halfway around the shell already with no progress all night. His little face was glued to the inside of the shell, poor thing! Couldn't even peck.

I knew I could hurt him that way, so I just freed his head and let him do the rest. Come to find out, his navel had already dried shut.

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

Another hatched! That makes five

 

[misslady]

Another hatched! That makes five

Nice!

I’ve had three hatch, one I was able to watch last night and then of course the other two hatched out while I was sleeping. What’s that old saying, “a watched kettle never boils?” Very true in my case.
All but three now are pipped, so hopefully we get to see more cute little fluffy faces today!

 

[theuglychick]

Great looking chicks, everyone! I am on day 18 and locking down!

I had to do a bit of jostling them because I wanted to sort my super blue egg layers from my Cream Legbars because they will all look like little chipmunks as babies and I will not be able to tell them apart.

I tried putting them in separate containers in the bator, only to realize they didn't all fit.

Then I took them all out,and tried fitting one set in the container in the bator. It still took up too much room. So now they're all back in the bator all mixed up x(

Hopefully I didn't fiddle with them too much. That's what I get for trying to do all of that before going to work. Shoulda just waited til I got home like I normally do.

I'll try to fashion a little cardboard divider like the one on here and stick it in there this evening.

ALSO I made a proto-type mama heating pad. I was afraid of the chicks getting stuck between the pad and the wire so I opted for a plastic bin, cut 2 holes for doors, a hole for the cord, and taped the heating pad to the inside of it so there is no real way for them to get between the pad and walls. It's REALLY ugly, but functional!

I tested it out on some older biddies (from my September hatch) and it worked like a charm over night! They loved it! I'll be constructing another for new hatches.

I'll keep y'all updated! Keep the pics coming.

 

[misslady]

Great looking chicks, everyone! I am on day 18 and locking down!

I had to do a bit of jostling them because I wanted to sort my super blue egg layers from my Cream Legbars because they will all look like little chipmunks as babies and I will not be able to tell them apart.

I tried putting them in separate containers in the bator, only to realize they didn't all fit.

Then I took them all out,and tried fitting one set in the container in the bator. It still took up too much room. So now they're all back in the bator all mixed up x(

Hopefully I didn't fiddle with them too much. That's what I get for trying to do all of that before going to work. Shoulda just waited til I got home like I normally do.

I'll try to fashion a little cardboard divider like the one on here and stick it in there this evening.

ALSO I made a photo-type mama heating pad. I was afraid of the chicks getting stuck between the pad and the wire so I opted for a plastic bin, cut 2 holes for doors, a hole for the cord, and taped the heating pad to the inside of it so there is no real way for them to get between the pad and walls. It's REALLY ugly, but functional!

I tested it out on some older biddies (from my September hatch) and it worked like a charm over night! They loved it! I'll be constructing another for new hatches.

View attachment 1151247

I'll keep y'all updated! Keep the pics coming.

Your MHP is looks great! Will be much easier to clean that way too.

I bet your eggs will be totally fine. I think they’re pretty tough little customers at that point. At least I hope so, given that the chicks drying out in my ‘bator are playing soccer with the ones who have yet to hatch, lol. Can’t wait to hear of your progress in a couple days!

———

Three more have hatched, all one right after another, including the one who pipped on the wrong end! It looks like it’s doing just fine!
One that hatched last night, however, seems to be having a hard time getting on its feet, it keeps tumbling over on its side or back. I tried placing it upright in a small container but it just knocks the whole container over. Anyone ever experience this? Any advice?