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

[RoseMarie1]

SO CUTE BEE!!!!! Can't wait to see the others.

 

[Beekissed]

Note the feathered legs and the outsized middle toe...that's his papa, Fat Cochin's stamp. He too has the feathered legs and that very long middle toe. They also have his large head and small body as well. Those Cochin genes must be pretty strong...I think all but one chick had some kind of feathering on the legs.

 

[RoseMarie1]

All 8 hatched out in this nest but the last one took an extra day and it looks like he is too weak and his feet too curled and weak to make it. If you go by the noise he makes, the thing has some very strong lungs! He's been peeping his head off continually since hatching and hasn't taken a rest yet. The rest of the tiny flock up there do not like him and are making a point of stepping on him...sort of like when a flock all pick on one bird because it's sick or a loner. They know something is wrong, even at that young age. He'll be dead by morning but since he doesn't appear to be in any pain, I'm not culling him at this time. He'll just sleep away. Right now he is worming his way all over that brooder, so he can crawl or worm along just fine. He's a tough one...he could surprise me but I doubt it.

oh man I sure hope he makes it. WOW that was a good hatch. Bee do you give vitamins and electrolytes to yours in their water after they hatch out? That might just give him the ump he needs or she needs whichever it is. Tickled pink you had a good hatch!

 

[Cowpoke]

My cream legbars started hatching yesterday. Out of 6 eggs 4 of them made it to lock down. One was out yesterday morning. One out this morning. One nearly out this evening. One peeping but no pip. I don't think this one will make it.

So I have one pullet and one cockerel. Hoping the third one is another pullet.

Good Luck with the remaining hatch!

 

[Cowpoke]

Put the last chick in the brooder but I know he won't last the night. His feet are curled and he cannot stand...too long in that egg. He cheeps continually and will not rest. When I placed him in the brooder all the other chicks ran over and stood on him, walked on him and the RIRs even picked at him a little. I guess that is how a chick flock shows aggression. Even the duckling ran over and stood and walked on him.

I placed him under the brooder heating pad frame but he keeps worming his way out, they run over and step on him, I put him back, he comes out, they step...well...you get the picture.

I guess this is what they are talking about when they say they don't allow 23 day incubation because it usually results in trouble...I'll keep that in mind for the next time.

No, I'm not going to keep him inside and separate them...this is his natural life and he is not in any pain. He acts the same when he is alone as he does out in the brooder, so he might as well be with his own kind while he goes through his short life.

Took video of the chicks in the brooder....I'll see if it's any good and if not, I'll take another so you can see them all together and running to and fro.

I'm sorry to hear about the caboose acting that way.

 

[Beekissed]

oh man I sure hope he makes it. WOW that was a good hatch. Bee do you give vitamins and electrolytes to yours in their water after they hatch out? That might just give him the ump he needs or she needs whichever it is. Tickled pink you had a good hatch!

No..the most I've ever given chicks is ACV in the water. My theory is, if he needs vitamins to thrive, right out of the gate, we've got problems. The nutrition in that egg yolk should be sufficient and his own genetics should be sufficient and if it is not, then no amount of vitamins is going to make him a strong bird.

 

[RoseMarie1]

It's a hard thing to kill a young animal.

oh yes it is! Just dread having to do that with a purple passion. I know the times probably a comin' but I sure dread it. chills.

 

[Beekissed]

I'm sorry to hear about the caboose acting that way.

I'm not too surprised...he took too long to hatch and sat there a night and a day with a big ol' open pip and the interior getting dry. His eye was dried shut on that side by the time he got out but a drop of normal saline helped it right away. He reminds me of Hootie, in a way, because they both had those curled toes and weak legs when they came out and took a long time to get to their feet.

 

[Cowpoke]

I'm not too surprised...he took too long to hatch and sat there a night and a day with a big ol' open pip and the interior getting dry. His eye was dried shut on that side by the time he got out but a drop of normal saline helped it right away. He reminds me of Hootie, in a way, because they both had those curled toes and weak legs when they came out and took a long time to get to their feet.

Well he might just surprise us by tomorrow....with those strong of lungs! Good call.

 

[Cowpoke]

Just popping in to say I am still around.. I know some folks were wondering. No baby. No labor..

Keep doing what y'all are doing. I'm reading!

Thanks for the update......maybe tomorrow! I'm praying and wishing for ya'll to have the Best delivery.