Simulated Natural Nest Incubation~Experiment #1 So it begins....

[AmericanMom]

I posted this update in another thread but wanted to post here and take advantage of Bee's knowledge of broody hens...

The chicks she hatched are 4 days old, the other late to the party chicks hatched today, 3/4 are alive and two are up and running around. The third chick is doing a lot better with ever hour but still isn't up and around to well and doesn't hold its head up for long.. My plan had been to slip them under momma late tonight. She is separated from the flock for now and is doing great with the first four. My question is should I wait another day to make sure chick #3 is ok and put them all three under her together or if it shows marked improvement tonight just go ahead and put them under her tonight? Tomorrow the hens chicks will be 5 days old.

Oh and here is the chicks that hatched in my un natural incubator

Its just so darn cute... From my EE hen...




From my Acona Hens

 

[foxvalleyfarm]

I posted this update in another thread but wanted to post here and take advantage of Bee's knowledge of broody hens... The chicks she hatched are 4 days old, the other late to the party chicks hatched today, 3/4 are alive and two are up and running around. The third chick is doing a lot better with ever hour but still isn't up and around to well and doesn't hold its head up for long.. My plan had been to slip them under momma late tonight. She is separated from the flock for now and is doing great with the first four. My question is should I wait another day to make sure chick #3 is ok and put them all three under her together or if it shows marked improvement tonight just go ahead and put them under her tonight? Tomorrow the hens chicks will be 5 days old. Oh and here is the chicks that hatched in my un natural incubator e Its just so darn cute... From my EE hen... From my Acona Hens

I don't have an answer but OMG how cute are they?

 

[Beekissed]

I'd put all the healthy chicks back under her but I'd be really surprised if the sickly chick makes it. I'd hold off on putting that one under her unless it's full on its feet and ready to go.

 

[AmericanMom]

I'd put all the healthy chicks back under her but I'd be really surprised if the sickly chick makes it. I'd hold off on putting that one under her unless it's full on its feet and ready to go.

Ok, so the two healthy ones tonight and just watch and see with the other..

I hope it makes it, none of the chicks I have ever hatched look like this one or the one that died... Hubby is almost of the mind our Blue Orpington got with the EE hens

 

[ocap]

A couple of the eggs have a dark, sloshy look to them that they didn't have before....and I can't really see a chick moving any longer. Is it safe to say those chicks have died? I did the 14 day candle last night and all air cells are at the appropriate size, it seems. All the eggs but the two mentioned have good chick movement in them.

What causes the death of a chick at that late stage? Bacteria?

If these are indeed bad, that will take me down to 16 good eggs in this hatch.

I am at the end of day 22 with this hatch. 33 eggs 15 chicks alive, I never candled, if Bee's 16 hatch........her hatch numbers/rate will be better than my $700 incubator. I have four thermometers, none agree. The "best" thermometer is still only suppose to be accurate to plus or minus 1.8*F at 100*F. I had to help two chicks that had zipped but were stuck.

Late stage death, I have no idea.

John

 

[RoseMarie1]

I posted this update in another thread but wanted to post here and take advantage of Bee's knowledge of broody hens...

The chicks she hatched are 4 days old, the other late to the party chicks hatched today, 3/4 are alive and two are up and running around. The third chick is doing a lot better with ever hour but still isn't up and around to well and doesn't hold its head up for long.. My plan had been to slip them under momma late tonight. She is separated from the flock for now and is doing great with the first four. My question is should I wait another day to make sure chick #3 is ok and put them all three under her together or if it shows marked improvement tonight just go ahead and put them under her tonight? Tomorrow the hens chicks will be 5 days old.

Oh and here is the chicks that hatched in my un natural incubator

Its just so darn cute... From my EE hen...




From my Acona Hens

aweeee sooo sweet

 

[RoseMarie1]

I'd wait and see...sometimes day 14 they are not moving quite so much. I have had several who were moving day 10 then not moving day 14 but hatched.

yeah that's what I was thinking to about waiting. I'd toss it if you get a smell, but you probably know that already. You can actually smell them.

 

[Cowpoke]

Woke up this morning to two chicks hatched, dried and fluffy!

Congratulations Lacy Blues!

Hang in there!

 

[Cowpoke]

I'd put all the healthy chicks back under her but I'd be really surprised if the sickly chick makes it. I'd hold off on putting that one under her unless it's full on its feet and ready to go.

X 2 ......Wait until it is healthy.

 

[AmericanMom]

X 2 ......Wait until it is healthy.

I don't think it will make it... It just cannot hold its head up at all and lurches itself around, it barely opens its eyes and shudders every now and again...

Waiting for DH to finish fixing my dryer and then we will both look at it and decide...