Started eggs today! 3/30/12! Hatchalong anyone????

[TarheelBirdy]

That's great!

 

[Sharksandguitars]

keep an eye on that pip, i had to extract a couple chicks... and I can tell you how to do it if need be. Both the ones I helped out are fine beautiful chicks now.

 

[TarheelBirdy]

I had to help one of the Dominiques I hatched last week, too. Worked out fine. Just have to get prepared and be careful.

 

[Sharksandguitars]

Found dead chick this morning in my outside pen Seems like peeps are losing silkies left and right lately...

 

[BroosterSpringsteen]

Sharks I'm so sorry! I feel like the early spring here is making predator issues so much worse this year.

The membrane on that pip was getting really dry, so I decided to help a a little. I helped a couple last year, and they turned out fine. The beak is sticking out of the hole, so I know the chick is hanging in there, and chirping like crazy! I pulled the egg out using a warm wet cloth, and carefully used tweezers to chip away at the opening. I saw a little blood, so I stopped and put the egg back in the bator. I'll check on it again in a couple of hours.

 

[BroosterSpringsteen]

An update... When I came back, the chick had made a nickel size hole in the egg, and it's head was sticking all the way out! So I helped a little again, this time only chipping a couple of small chips on one side of the hole. But it seemed to help, because 5 minutes later, she kicked herself free. She seems very weak though, and there is still a trace of yolk. I sure hope she makes it.

Normally I wait much longer to help, but I was alarmed that she was upside down, and clearly struggling.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

​

All mine are done hatching i had one pip then died i should of helped it last night but cant now another chick is dying it cant get off its side. But i have 11 heathy chicks out of 26 eggs which is still pretty bad. But my mcmurray chicks came in today so that made me feel better.

 

[BroosterSpringsteen]

That's not so bad. I hope the weak one makes it.

I started with 22 eggs. Only 6 made it to lockdown. So far only 2 have hatched, and the problem chick looks very questionable. She's still laying on her side, chirping a lot, and kicking, but she hasn't opened her eyes. The other 4 eggs are silent. I did candle one when I opened the incubator to intervene, and I'm pretty sure I saw some movement, but not totally sure. I have the worst luck with Maran eggs.

Btw, the chick that is running around my bator already has a comb. I've had this happen before with Wyandottes, and they always wind up being roos. My BF named him Bernadette. We might have to call him Bernie.

 

[Sharksandguitars]

still nada

 

[TarheelBirdy]

I'm sorry for y'alls losses. It's sad every time.

All five of mine are hatched and looking good. The last one hatched just a few minutes ago. I'm anxious to get my hatcher cleaned up and ready for lockdown tomorrow - I have guinea, pheasant and some more Barred Rock eggs to put in there!