Set some eggs just now, due date 20th July.... anyone else setting just now? Hatch-Along

[epmchickens]

Yeah, the 4 I opened must be gone :-( I'm less sad about the ones from my own flock but I really want the shipped ones to hatch. They were expensive and I'm really excited to have them. They'd be my little flock of tolbunt polish.

 

[epmchickens]

Thanks gen9. I'll keep a really close watch on that one because it seems the most likely one to still be alive of the 4.

 

[Heidisgran]

Gen9 you just had a huge hatch that lasted all weekend but they were set the same time?

they don't move much just before they pip...hatching is hard work lol....I'm sure I speak for Gen9 and myself...we are waiting by the computer for updates! lol

and you are very welcome that's what this website is for so us crazy chicken fools can obsess together lol

 

[CAjerseychick]

Hey so similar boat over here== except the Broody started Fri or Sat (29th or 30th)-- one chick out yesterday and this AM another one is pipped (I think I heard it yesterday)-- the hen is pretty big-- sat all 24 days in a nest box shes aJersey Giant so I cant really see under her too well (there are 4 more eggs) and to make matters worse the nest box is the one crammed up under our porch ramp and so there is only a few inches of clearance (you can lift the lid to get your hand in to get the eggs thats about it)-- so visibility is limited.
Am leaving for work tommorrow- Th 10am - Sat evening (8pm ish).....Am wondering what to do? Take out the unhatched eggs before I go? Maybe I will hang a hamster water bottle in the nest box for the little peep (if momma stays in the nest til Sat it will need something right?).. Not sure what to do-- this is the inexperienced Broody that lost her first clutch 2nd week to another hen who hatched out the chicks and is raising them (they are 5 weeks old now)....

 

[epmchickens]

I'd say offer food and water for sure. Last year I had a mama who was letting her chicks go hungry because she wanted every last egg to hatch lol. She had it rough though, her hatch lasted a week!

 

[CAjerseychick]

I'd say offer food and water for sure. Last year I had a mama who was letting her chicks go hungry because she wanted every last egg to hatch lol. She had it rough though, her hatch lasted a week!

HHHmmm Maybe I will go into town today and get one of those Parakeet water bottles it might be easier for the baby to figure out, and I can just scatter some crumbles infront of mama....

 

[Gen9]

As you can see, this scared the crap out of me. If I had to do this over, I wouldn't have taken off the entire top of the shell. I would have partially zipped & then make a little incision into the inner membrane so more of its beak was exposed. Then either wait to see if it can do more on its own, or help it some more but waited longer... I don't know.. it survived the hatch but we put it down, I may never know if it would have turned out ok. Compared to the articles & threads, mine was in better shape (found this out later) I had 2 others die from cords (or prolapsed, I'm not sure). I just put down a hen with internal laying & might have to put down a roo that has cataracts in one eye.

 

[epmchickens]

I'm so sorry about your losses. The hen and babies and maybe roo too! Doesn't it seem like everything happens at once? The chick in that picture looks just like one of mine!

As you can see, this scared the crap out of me. If I had to do this over, I wouldn't have taken off the entire top of the shell. I would have partially zipped & then make a little incision into the inner membrane so more of its beak was exposed. Then either wait to see if it can do more on its own, or help it some more but waited longer... I don't know.. it survived the hatch but we put it down, I may never know if it would have turned out ok. Compared to the articles & threads, mine was in better shape (found this out later) I had 2 others die from cords (or prolapsed, I'm not sure). I just put down a hen with internal laying & might have to put down a roo that has cataracts in one eye.

 

[epmchickens]

Your membrane looks much better than mine though

 

[chickinthebator]

It's getting close! The 2 that have pipped are giving it a good go on day 20 (today)
So exciting
Day 21 tomorrow - pictures if they hatch tonight