Test Incubation: Due to hatch 12/19 (including eggtopsies **graphic pictures**)

[aart]

I know it is a bit early to be worrying about this, but I'm concerned we'll end up with one lonely chick. It isn't like chicks are easily bought this time of year.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Chicken Surprise (what I'm naming the yellow chick) is doing much better. No signs of life on the other eggs. I'm thinking I might candle them later today and look for late quitters.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

I vote to leave them alone. You're only *technically* a day late. I would leave them alone until 3 or 4 days late....

 

[Redhead Rae]

I'm planning on leaving the incubator running until at least Saturday. I'm thinking I'm going to start putting together an indoor brooder box for the two that have hatched and move them there tomorrow. I was planning on moving the chicks straight out to the outdoor brooder, but with only 2, and one of them struggling a bit, I think I need to wait a bit before evicting them from the house.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

I'm planning on leaving the incubator running until at least Saturday. I'm thinking I'm going to start putting together an indoor brooder box for the two that have hatched and move them there tomorrow. I was planning on moving the chicks straight out to the outdoor brooder, but with only 2, and one of them struggling a bit, I think I need to wait a bit before evicting them from the house.

Agreed sweetie!

 

[007Sean]

Checking back on this post. Happy you had 2 hatch! Dunno there might be some late, late hatchers, depending on the temp where they were in the bator. I'll check back later.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Here are some pictures of the Dominique cross chick. I think I have a pullet. So far no sign of a dot on the head (the fluff is still sticky in places, like the head, so I may need to get a toothbrush and "preen" the chick). The chicks I purposefully bred are supposed to be Black Sex links.

 

[aart]

Using just the tips of your finger(or nails) and twisting/spinning back and forth, without pulling, will break the gunk loose.

 

[Redhead Rae]

It's so odd how no chicks in either of my broody hatches were gunky and these two are.

 

[aart]

It's so odd how no chicks in either of my broody hatches were gunky and these two are.

Could be coincidence....or mama keeps temps and humidity perfectly balanced thru incubation.