OHio ~ Come on Buckeyes, let me know your out there!

[mlm Mike]

Mlmddh, you're right in Millersburg! You're practically a neighbor Howdy neighbor!

Yep, we've got just about exactly half hatched already, and at four p.m. it'll have been 21 days exactly so they're pretty much right on schedule. I'm hoping most of the rest will hatch as well, though I won't be surprised if I lose a few of the shipped ones. What have you got in the 'bator at your house?

Hi neighbor.

We have RC RIR, 6 are out and there are 4 more pipped.

 

[DDNONIN2016]

Yep, we had a major jailbreak last night LOL! Up to (I think) 6 LF barred cochins, 5 coronations, 3 silkies,1 serama, 2 marans and 2 mystery chicks all happily snoozing in the brooder. Lots more pips still to go!

I've been lazy about posting pics because getting them from my phone to my laptop is a pain, but I'll post a bunch after the hatch I haven't been playing much on the NYD hatch thread because it's too big -- I can't keep up! I like being able to keep up and read everybody's posts...

Wow !!! Thats fantastic. I've never seen LF barred cochins (have to go look those up now). What color are your silkies ?
I know what you mean about getting pics from phone to computer. I never have time Also been trying to keep up on the NYD hatch thread - *impossible*
Think I will just stay here often. That way if any of you have anything for sale at least its in Ohio LOL. Congrats on your hatch

 

[DDNONIN2016]

Hi neighbor.

We have RC RIR, 6 are out and there are 4 more pipped.

Congrats on your hatch !

 

[cluckitall]

Hi neighbor.

We have RC RIR, 6 are out and there are 4 more pipped.

Whee!! Congrats! It's always so exciting watching them hatch!

 

[cluckitall]

Wow !!! Thats fantastic. I've never seen LF barred cochins (have to go look those up now). What color are your silkies ?
I know what you mean about getting pics from phone to computer. I never have time Also been trying to keep up on the NYD hatch thread - *impossible*
Think I will just stay here often. That way if any of you have anything for sale at least its in Ohio LOL. Congrats on your hatch

So far all my silkies are white. I've got two splash eggs in there, but that's forlorn hopefulness on my part -- I could tell on the last candle they quit sometime during incubation. But what the heck, I left 'em in anyway.

The LF cochins are BIG! At least the barred ones I'm growing these out for broodies and breeders -- they're beautiful birds but according to my source only lay about 3 eggs a week. And they're too pretty to eat!

I'm working on my own "project" dual purpose bird, which started as a happy accident. I have a cuckoo marans roo (very big, handsome boy -- he's got two CM hens and also is head roo for my mixed flock) and a white rock hen who produces absolutely ENORMOUS eggs 4-6 days a week (avg. 4 now, in winter):



The egg size is fortunate because for whatever reason, these chicks are REALLY big and sturdy. I tried hatching out some of the CM/barred and partridge rock crosses, and had to assist all of them hatching -- they couldn't turn in the shells. The WR/CM cross cockerels got big and meaty fast, and I'm waiting to see how the pullets lay (hatched Aug. 21, should be laying just about anytime now). If the girls lay as well as their momma does, I'm going to hatch out some more


Another silkie just hatched! And I've got two more pips

I love hatch days!

 

[blessedchick]

WOW!!! So fun to hear about everyone's chickies making their grand appearances!!! I love hatching (Hatchaholics Anonymous anyone??)

I have 17 silkies in lockdown right now for a Friday/Saturday hatch. I'm testing out my new black pen, have a few of my partridge girls that I'm doing individual hatches on (trying to pin down who is throwing the greys in my parti pen) and a few from my splash pen - my little showgirl just started laying so I tossed hers in there for fun...PLUS I have 7 under a broody and I'm hoping that I have another broody when I get home tonight. Getting psyched for spring! And I can't wait to squeeze those fluffy butts!!!

 

[cluckitall]

Pictures, finally!!!

First: How to Know Your Hatch is Starting -- in One Easy Step!







My very first hatchling!!!







"Hi mommy!"





Please meet:

MR. FUZZY FEET!!!!



All the cochins are like that -- it's amazing!


My first hatchling, all dried out and moved to the brooder. Little teeny mille fleur d'Uccle!



A coronation sussex, looking very pert



My lone serama! (so far...) With an adorable white silkie from RBF right next to her



More coronations and cochin butts



Chick carpet!!! Every home should have one

Still about 20 eggs to go -- I see three pips at the moment, and one industriously rocking egg Plus the four that I left in there just in case that I was 99% certain hadn't developed, but what the heck, right? Plus there's six more eggs still in the turner (off), but theyre not due to hatch till Friday.

 

[DebFred]

Hey. It's me again, with a stupid question.....

Just dawned on me that when they hatch with out the Momma Hen sitting on them, that I have no idea what they eat. Not sure what I thought happened when the Momma Hen was sitting on them.

Can they eat chicken feed right from the start or what? How long do you have to keep them in the incubator?

Jeez....I thought I knew a lot about chickens. Or at least a working knowledge anyway....

Deb of DebFred

 

[babymakes6]

Do you have a broody hen, or incubator chicks?
Chicks absorb the yolk sac just before they hatch. It "feeds" them for up to 72 hours during which they do not need to eat anything. A broody should take care of her chicks and show them where to get food and water. Chicks learn by imitation.
If you have an incubator, when you move the chicks to a brooder with a heat lamp, put paper towels down first and scatter some chick crumble over it. The chicks will start pecking at it and realize it is to eat. After a day or two you can remove the paper towels and just leave a feed dish in for them. Also, when they first get put in the brooder, I like to put marbles or glass beads in the water. It gives them something shiny to peck at, but it also prevents them from drowning in the water. I usually take new chicks and dip their beaks in the water to show them what it is. Once a few figure it out, the rest will copy them.

 

[mlm Mike]

Hey. It's me again, with a stupid question.....

Just dawned on me that when they hatch with out the Momma Hen sitting on them, that I have no idea what they eat. Not sure what I thought happened when the Momma Hen was sitting on them.

Can they eat chicken feed right from the start or what? How long do you have to keep them in the incubator?

Jeez....I thought I knew a lot about chickens. Or at least a working knowledge anyway....

Deb of DebFred

Usually leave them in the incubator until all have hatched and are dry, or at least no pips. You should feed them chick starter.