OH. MY. GOODNESS. *rant* NOW WITH HATCHES!!!

[Cherlyn]

So, I wake up this morning, at 0600. Hubby is already awake, working on reports. I shower, get dressed, etc etc, and then go downstairs to check on the incubator. Today is hatch day, you see, and I have two dozen quail that I am very anxious to meet.

I check the eggs - no change from last night. I check the humidity - running a lad on the low side, around 73%. I check the temps.

EIGHTY.

I was in absolute disbelief. I quickly looked for the source of the extreme temperature drop, and I saw that THE INCUBATOR WAS UNPLUGGED.

I immediately asked Hubby why on EARTH he thought he needed to unplug the incubator. "The temp went too high, honey, so I thought I would just unplug it." I asked him what the temp spiked up to, and he said... 102.

Oh, my sweet gentle Jesus... forgive me for the un-loving feelings I had in that moment.

I specifically gave him instructions yesterday, explaining what the numbers had to read, and what to do if he was uncertain about anything (find me). I said, anything below 97 or above 102, come find me so I can sort it out.

But no. He unplugs it.

And does not let me know.

Thankfully, it was only unplugged for a max of 45 mins. Of course, Hubby cannot remember exactly what time he unplugged it.

So, I had it back to 100 within a few minutes of adjusting it. I can see one or two rockers, which is depressing because last night at least a dozen were rocking.

Then, I go outside to take care of my big girls. And I see straight blood in little piles in the yard. Oh, my sweet big girls have cocci, and being in the UK, apparently I need a prescription for Sulmet to treat said cocci.

*bang sob bang sob bang sob*

This is me, alternating between shedding tears and banging my head against a wall.

I need a hug.

~Cherlyn

 

[Xero]

There, there

. All will be well. Take a deep breath and have a zen moment. The incubator babies should hopefully be alright and hopefully you can take care of the biggies. Don't be too mad at the hubs. Mine does dumb crap all the time when he thinks he is really helping. Usually I find it endearing. That particular mistake yours made might set me on edge though. I'm a bit overprotective with my hen's babies.

 

[Eggs4Sale]

DH

then

then

 

[Cherlyn]

*whimper* You are right. I told hubby it was ok, but I need to do more, like give him a hug and tell him that I forgive him. And from now on, I should clearly write my instructions out.

~Cherlyn

 

[Eggs4Sale]

Quote:
First make him clean up the incubator.

How did the hatching turn out?

 

[Dar]

the written instructions should read something like this..

Hunny
if you thing the bator is to hot.... step away from the bator...find me
if you think the bator is to cold.....step away from the bator...find me
if you think the humity is out of wack...step away from the bator...find me



I feel your pain. i dont have a bator i have silkies which is the next best thing and thats the instructions with DH, DD, DS step away from the silkie find me...

 

[lotzahenz]

Cher, I am sending you good hatching vibes. I have had eggs hatch in spite of some crazy things. And those quail, well, they tend to drown themselves, jump out of the brooder no matter how short you trim their wings or how tall the sides are! Silly little things. The Cocci can be cured, it's everywhere. Lets hope your tiny little babies stayed warm enough, and they usually do, and you get to watch them bop around like pop corn soon. Hubby's have no idea how important these things are to you sometimes, but that is a whole nother subject. Guess you'll have to tape the plug to the wall with warning labels in place, at the same time you tape the bator top to the bottom. I always put a note on top of mine in bright red ink. Just in case he forgets.

HenZ

 

[Xero]

A good apology and a hug works pretty well for mine.

Yeah, How are your eggs doing now that they are warmer?

 

[Cherlyn]

Thanks for the warm responses, all.

I feel better. I think a few are rocking very slightly - I am sure everything will turn out the way it should. As for the cocci, I am waiting until the vet opens (in 15 mins) and then I will call up to see about getting a prescription for all of the birds. Yikes! For now, I have my big girls (the obviously infected ones) locked in their coop/run, and my little girls are frolicking in the grass, giddy at being able to scratch without being pecked and chased.

~Cherlyn

 

[Cherlyn]

So, I took a black Sharpie marker, and wrote instructions for chickens, quail, and ducks on the incubator, lest there be any confusion.

Cannot wait until my silkies start laying and go broody!

~Cherlyn