Setting eggs today, 6-30-12...anyone else want to join in the fun???

[InTheJungle]

please forgive my n00biness coming out here, but I've been browsing through many of the threads and I've notice a lot of the use of the word "lock down" what is this?

We've decided to expand our chicken run all the way around the hen house. so it will be 16ft by 8ft by just slightly over 6ft high. Thelma has become my baby now, light body deep rust colored head and neck. Louise, only when she wants something.

We finally named our Rooster, Reggie. or Reginald. it's so funny that when I got him just a few weeks ago the reds were larger than him and now he's twice the size they are. must be all the goodies we give them. maint diet, layena mixed in, grit, crushed oyster shells, dried meal worms, dried fruit, (they love raisins) and Pennington Ultra nut and fruit blend for wild birds. plus my 13 year old collects sweet/sour clover and fish shaped grass that they just love. and when we mow the yard, we put the bagger on the mower and dump about three bags of clippings in the run and the chickens and ducks just love it!

I woke up to another small egg on my kitchen table, they're getting darker but not much bigger. nothing at all like the first egg. I think we've got about 6? now I think? All in the incubator under the bed.

my 16 year old tries to get to the coop first for the egg, then makes my 13 year old change the two waterers. I do the food.

I wish I had my own little portable x-ray machine or fluoroscope so I could actually see inside the eggs instead of candling them. these brown shells are impossible! and I'm getting anxious!

 

[gvolkert]

Lockdown started - I am so nervous and excited. I have not seen any movement when I have candled the eggs but the air space has gotten larger and the chicks seem to be getting bigger. I do have a new problem though - I received some more eggs in the mail yesterday that were shipped on the 13th. Will they be OK if they di not go into the bator until Saturday?

 

[Cats Cradle]

Hi all!

Sorry for going MIA! I have been taking care of a sick chicken.

It all actually started on Saturday, when I went out to feed. I noticed there was a problem when I went to feed one grow out pen that currently houses a bunch of 6-7 week olds. All the chicks ran forward for the feed except 3. They sat hunched in the corner! Oh no! So, I brought the 3 in and looked everyone else in the pen over and decided one of the ones that had run forward also looked a little hunchy so I brought him in as well. Interestingly, all 4 chicks were the same breed and variety.

I decided I was dealing with cocci, so treated everyone with Corid. I set up a nice "ICU" right next to my desk. I was really happy to see the 4 chicks eating and drinking well. Saturday I felt all was going to be fine.

Sunday morning... all the chicks outside look fine, as do 3 of the 4 inside. One is sleepy... not good. And... of all the chicks it is my daughter's absolute favorite, Smudgie!!! So I spent much of Sunday caring for the chick. I'd put little bits of wet feed on her tongue and she'd swallow. In the afternoon she was a little better and went and took a few drinks voluntarily. But after that she continued to go downhill. I got up every couple of hours during the night to give her a little food and water.

By Monday morning, it was clear that I had continued to loose ground. Normally, I would have been one to let nature take its course as I do understand the importance of only breeding from the strongest. But, I know how attached my daughter is to Smudgie. So, in the early morning hours I researched an avian vet and called their office as soon as they opened. The vet looked at my very sick chick and was clearly not optimistic. But he taught me how to tube the chick and gave me some Albon.

When I got home it was time to do the next feeding. Let me tell you... it is very scary sliding a tube down a chicks neck and then pushing the plunger on the syringe to push the food in!!! I was VERY aware of the fact that if I was in the lungs by mistake I would kill the chick!!! Fortunately, I was in the right place and the feeding was successful! After the first time it has gotten easier, but each time I still pray I've done it right!

It's now just after noon on Tuesday, and Smudge is still with us! She still wants to sleep most of the time, but is more alert whenever we handle her. She still hasn't shown any desire to eat or drink on her own. However... she has made two improvements! I no longer see any blood in her stools, and her crop is speeding up! The limiting factor on how much food I can feed her is how long it takes for the crop to empty so I can put more in. So hopefully she'll start getting some energy today as I feed her more!

 

[Cats Cradle]

And finally here is a picture of the entire run...I have a large dog kennel on the other side of my yard that many chickens still like to sleep in. Its more secure than this area, so I am planning to relocate it join it to this chicken area (eventually!) The baby enclosure is over by the wood fence under the green.

Thank you for sharing your set up! You've done a great job!!!

Too bad you're not close to me... I'm just barely outside of northern VA.

 

[Kanga77510]

Hang in there, Smudgie! You can do it.

I've been listening at Chip's pen for sounds of peeping. Haven't heard anything yet. The due date is officially Thurs. so we'll see what happens. Last time we hatched from the vet's eggs we had a 80% hatch rate. Not too shabby. I'm hoping we get more this time, as we've learned what to improve.

 

[Cats Cradle]

hi i set 6 serama eggs on the 28 hope all goes well for you they are shiped eggs and only 2 wer firtile (
4 day to go cant wait to see my hopefull chicks ohh ye it my first hatch to so realy buzzed cant wait oh i said that once all redy lol
have fun)

Welcome joff and

Good luch with your first hatch!!! My bantam eggs ususally start pipping on day 19, which is today for you! Do you have a pip yet?

 

[Cats Cradle]

On a happy note, I added a second sun conure egg to the incubator, and the first IS showing signs of life!!!!! keeping my fingers crossed!!! I got $400 for the last one i sold.

Hmmm... I've sold chicks before, but I only got $3.00. I think I'm in the wrong species!!!

Of course... you probably can't fee range conures. And my son already complains how many bantam eggs it takes to make an omelet, so I guess I'll stick with chickens!

 

[gvolkert]

I think I have a pip!!!! It seems a bit early as today is only day 19 as of Noon. How long before the zip? I am getting more and more nervous and also excited. Thanks to everyone who is currently hatch for being hatching buddies. It has really help me a lot.

 

[Cats Cradle]

please forgive my n00biness coming out here, but I've been browsing through many of the threads and I've notice a lot of the use of the word "lock down" what is this?

"Lockdown" refers to leaving the incubator closed from day 18 until hatch is complete. The reason is to keep the humidity high. Everytime you open your incubator, there is a sudden drop in humidity and temp. During most of incubation, briefly opening the incubator is no big deal. In fact, if you are hand turning eggs you have to open several times a day and it doesn't cause a problem. But, at hatching time lower humidity drys out the membranes which can become stuck to the chick and then the chick can't hatch. Also, the combination of temp and humidity dropping can "shrink wrap" the membranes onto the chick, which again can prevent the chick from hatching.

Some literally don't open their incubators at all during lockdown. From what I've read here, I think a lot of people do open on occasion. I think if you pay close attion to minimizing the temp drop and humidity loss then you can reduce the risk to the rest of your hatch. As you gain experience, you'll find what works for you. I know I can open the lid to my incubator just enough to get my hand in a couple of times during a large hatch. But, I live in a humid cimate. Someone in a dryer climate might not have the same results. My advice... don't open unless you really need to!

I wish I had my own little portable x-ray machine or fluoroscope so I could actually see inside the eggs instead of candling them. these brown shells are impossible! and I'm getting anxious!

A bright flashlight works pretty well. Of course, the darker the shells the less you can see, but I can still see plenty in my brown eggs from my production reds. Look for those small LED flashlights they have just about everywhere. The really bright ones! They don't cost much and work well when they have good batteries. Try shining it in from various angles and I'll bet you'll see something! You can even practice with some store bought white eggs. You should be able to easily find an airsack (in the big end) on those. Then try to find one in one of your brown eggs.

 

[Cats Cradle]

I think I have a pip!!!! It seems a bit early as today is only day 19 as of Noon. How long before the zip? I am getting more and more nervous and also excited. Thanks to everyone who is currently hatch for being hatching buddies. It has really help me a lot.

HORRAY!!!! A pip!!!

Every chick is different. Some are quite quick, others go 24 hours or more. Now that your chick has pipped it will rest and it is doing the very important job of absorbing the rest of its yolk. So give it the time it needs!!!

As far as your shipped eggs, they will benefit from some time to sit upright and settle after their trip. Since your chicks have started hatching, you may not have to wait all the way til Saturday. Of course, the obvious solution is you NEED two incubators!!!