South Carolina

[Lroach711]

Well, the power outage last week must have killed my hatch

. I had no pips, no nothing. On a positive note though, tonight was the night I was planning on taking the duck eggs away from my broody hen..well the duck eggs apparently had different plans. As soon as I lifted her up I heard peeping and saw that at least one egg has pipped. So, I didn't have a choice other than to just leave them with her. I have NO idea what to do in the morning as far as the ducklings go. She's in one of those large metal nesting boxes and is in one of the top nests. I don't think the babies could get out of the nest, but I'm scared to death they're going to somehow get out and fall to their death. I'm tempted to get some chicken wire and cover the nest hole tomorrow morning just in case. Otherwise I'm going to worry ALL day long whether or not they're ok.

So even though I had another bad luck, no good, awful hatch, it looks like my broody incubator worked! (I guess mother nature is pretty fail proof!) Hopefully I can figure out a way to keep the babies and broody safe through tomorrow and all will be well! I'm still so suprised that they've started hatching early!!

 

[dixiebeast]

I vote for the wire...peace of mind is important!!

Well, the power outage last week must have killed my hatch

. I had no pips, no nothing. On a positive note though, tonight was the night I was planning on taking the duck eggs away from my broody hen..well the duck eggs apparently had different plans. As soon as I lifted her up I heard peeping and saw that at least one egg has pipped. So, I didn't have a choice other than to just leave them with her. I have NO idea what to do in the morning as far as the ducklings go. She's in one of those large metal nesting boxes and is in one of the top nests. I don't think the babies could get out of the nest, but I'm scared to death they're going to somehow get out and fall to their death. I'm tempted to get some chicken wire and cover the nest hole tomorrow morning just in case. Otherwise I'm going to worry ALL day long whether or not they're ok.

So even though I had another bad luck, no good, awful hatch, it looks like my broody incubator worked! (I guess mother nature is pretty fail proof!) Hopefully I can figure out a way to keep the babies and broody safe through tomorrow and all will be well! I'm still so suprised that they've started hatching early!!

 

[Southern Bee Lady]

Many thanks... for some reason I thought Mary may have some (Southernbeelady) but I may be mistaken. I have 12+ eggs coming and just wanted to know if there was anone else closer that may have them.

Sorry Gavin, I don't have any. I have B/B/S orpingtons, silkies and guineas.

 

[Southern Bee Lady]

Samantha Congrats on your little aliens hatching. LOL To look at them, you would never expect them to grow up to be so beautiful.

 

[Patsy29332]

Ok so some of you know from FB but thought I would share...I was at Nikkis and we were looking at a bluebird nest that mom had not been seen at ( cat around) and eggs were knocked out of(not broke) .I tried to get her to hatch them and somehow they came home with me!! 2 broke on the ride home but 3 went in my bator...found they have an 11 day incubation which was today...2 have hatched and the last is pipped!! Feeding was sketchy at first but we seem to be in a groove now and they are pooping nice!! well as nice as poop can be! I see it as a sign they are eating well and right! Here are our lil martians...Guineas have nothing on these babies!!

That and they and you are so awesome...LOL...why do the back of their heads remind me of Tom and make me laugh sooo hard??? ROFLMBO!!! Great job Sam!!! Such cute babies and if anyone can save and nurture them...you are their best chance!!! Beautiful li'l Bluebird chicks!!!

 

[Southern Bee Lady]

Lauren be sure to give the eggs in the bator a couple or three extra days. Mine hatched on time but I have had late hatches on eggs that were a little low on temp. I actually had a silkie hatch last week that was 3 days late. I have opened eggs that I thought were not going to hatch (like 2 days late)and was getting ready to toss... and they would be alive. Unfortunately after I opened them, they did not survive to hatch.

 

[Patsy29332]

Well, the power outage last week must have killed my hatch

. I had no pips, no nothing. On a positive note though, tonight was the night I was planning on taking the duck eggs away from my broody hen..well the duck eggs apparently had different plans. As soon as I lifted her up I heard peeping and saw that at least one egg has pipped. So, I didn't have a choice other than to just leave them with her. I have NO idea what to do in the morning as far as the ducklings go. She's in one of those large metal nesting boxes and is in one of the top nests. I don't think the babies could get out of the nest, but I'm scared to death they're going to somehow get out and fall to their death. I'm tempted to get some chicken wire and cover the nest hole tomorrow morning just in case. Otherwise I'm going to worry ALL day long whether or not they're ok.

So even though I had another bad luck, no good, awful hatch, it looks like my broody incubator worked! (I guess mother nature is pretty fail proof!) Hopefully I can figure out a way to keep the babies and broody safe through tomorrow and all will be well! I'm still so suprised that they've started hatching early!!

I would vote for wire or take the chicks and put in a brooder or something/whatever...I have only had one broody hen here so maybe others can add advice but...my one hatch from my broody took her chooks to the ground on the second day and ended up leaving one behind which may have hatched late...luckily I was home to help the late hatcher to the ground...I will never know how she got the other two on the ground from 3 feet up...(my DD DixieBeast actually saw a hen pick one up and move it under it's wing) Good luck with the little ones!!!

 

[Moonchild]

This is Awesome!!! And I think you are doing everything right!!!! After the first week u will be golden!!! and they will be blue!

Ok so some of you know from FB but thought I would share...I was at Nikkis and we were looking at a bluebird nest that mom had not been seen at ( cat around) and eggs were knocked out of(not broke) .I tried to get her to hatch them and somehow they came home with me!! 2 broke on the ride home but 3 went in my bator...found they have an 11 day incubation which was today...2 have hatched and the last is pipped!! Feeding was sketchy at first but we seem to be in a groove now and they are pooping nice!! well as nice as poop can be! I see it as a sign they are eating well and right! Here are our lil martians...Guineas have nothing on these babies!!

 

[Moonchild]

One of my babies decided to sleep with the broody hen and I don't think she minds...Mrs.Lyles and Padma(and 5eggs under her)

 

[Lroach711]

I vote for the wire...peace of mind is important!!

I think that's what I'm going to try...DH kept saying but what if she needs to get out?? I was like well I guess she'll just have to wait til one of us gets home! I'm gonna worry either way, but at least If I put the wire up I have a little less to worry about!