Our introduction to keeping chickens, the high's, the lows and pics of our journey.

[Wrightsx4]

Aww- after knowing the other chick had died and the reason, I would've done the same thing. You helped it find its way out. I hope you come home to two fluffy chirping chicks.

 

[ozexpat]

you did the right thing.

may you be blessed with a hen that lays a thousand eggs

 

[Bens-Hens]

I just finished reading your whole thread. Very informative and learned a lot. Thank you for putting it up for everyone to read. Good luck with your new chicks. I hope they make it ok. I will be checking back to see how they do. 

Thanks Henless. I appreciate the acknowledgment. We have come so far from those first days, and are very happy to share our experience.

I know how hard it is to sit on your hands. At least now they have a chance.

Yeah, I thought it could go either way but after seeing the first eggtopsy results I had to give it a go.

Thanks for the thought.

Aww- after knowing the other chick had died and the reason, I would've done the same thing. You helped it find its way out. I hope you come home to two fluffy chirping chicks.

Thanks Pam, I am still at work but Alicua just got home and called with an update

you did the right thing. 

may you be blessed with a hen that lays a thousand eggs

Cheers Oz, would be fantastic if ine if them is a little miss, even better if two if them are

So, I am at work trying to do my thing. I rang Alicia when I left and gave her an update as per my last post. She just called after coming home to return the favour. I swear we are too invested in these chickens hahaha

Great news, both are alive and doing well. Not dry yet, but second chick seems stronger in the legs than the first, but both active, eyes open and doing the 'I just hatched' dance/power naps.

I am nearly done here then I can head home and get the brooder nice and warm

 

[Bens-Hens]

Got home, the two little ones looked in pretty good shape.

Got some Betadine onto the navel of the first chick. They were nearly dry, the stuff that looks slicked over is dry and firm, just not fluffy.

The brooder was up to temp so we moved them under the heat, (did my best to ignore the spur bumps on one of them). They have had lots of naps but some exploring too. I have been tried to encourage the sweet water but they don't seem keen yet.





See how they go from here!

 

[joannefiddler]

Got home, the two little ones looked in pretty good shape.

Got some Betadine onto the navel of the first chick. They were nearly dry, the stuff that looks slicked over is dry and firm, just not fluffy.

The brooder was up to temp so we moved them under the heat, (did my best to ignore the spur bumps on one of them). They have had lots of naps but some exploring too. I have been tried to encourage the sweet water but they don't seem keen yet.





See how they go from here!

YAY! YAY! They are adorable Ben. Well done. I second Oz's pronouncement 1000 eggs....not too much to ask!

 

[Bens-Hens]

Thanks ladies and gents.

Wouldn't believe it, but tonight when I went to close up the main run, I found a SIlver Pencilled Wyandotte that won't get off the nest. She must have heard me talking about broody machines lol.
Is it possible to streamline her hatch and give her some Coronation Sussex chicks at about a week old? Is that too risky?

 

[Wrightsx4]

They have plenty of room to explore! Glad they're doing well
Shipped eggs can be so frustrating. The ones that hatch though have already proven to be strong. I've been reading Oz's story (great read!) and I'm amazed those eggs travelled so far with him and yet had so many hatch. I think it proves the postal service does something to our egg boxes that they wouldn't incurred during normal travel. Of my shipped eggs -and only counting eggs that arrived unbroken - I've hatched 1/12, 0/4, 7/7(broody Betty - maybe she could hatch a golf ball?). My own eggs - 100% hatch. Eggs I drove to pick up and transport - 11/12 with no sign of fertility in the 12th. I'm thinking Betty knows something me and my incubator do not.

 

[Wrightsx4]

Thanks ladies and gents.

Wouldn't believe it, but tonight when I went to close up the main run, I found a SIlver Pencilled Wyandotte that won't get off the nest. She must have heard me talking about broody machines lol.
Is it possible to streamline her hatch and give her some Coronation Sussex chicks at about a week old? Is that too risky?

Going by what I've read, so please listen to anyone with actual experience, they say that th's younger the better for having them be accepted. I'd give her two or three days to prove her intent and get settled (in a ground level nest) then sneak them under her at night. Then watch her all night...because I'd be a nervous wreck. It would be so much easier to let her raise them within the flock! You wouldn't have to worry about a transition. Betty took care of everything for me - easiest chicks I never raised.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Thanks Pam. WOuld be great to just let her do all the work. Worst comes to worst I may be forced to find those Plymouth Rocks and slip them under her lol

I can separate them if needed, but I want to make sure it works, and they are not rejected. It's a real short cut lol.

I just started another thread asking the masses, so keen to see what comes back from them in the Raising Chicks section.

 

[Wrightsx4]

Some reading material https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/496101/broody-hen-thread/0_10
This thread answered most of my questions and eased my mind going into my first broody hatch. I remember some examples of people doing exactly what youre thinking to do.