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

[Redhead Rae]

Not that I've seen, but I haven't gotten a good look recently.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Ok, update time.

We put together a brooder in the living room. With the hatch being so spread out I want to be able to keep an eye on any freshly hatched chicks for a little while. So we set this up.

The heater plate is a little big, but better too big than too small. The chicks like it. I have it set low at one end and higher at the other.

Chicken Surprise is doing well. Still looks really scraggly, but is happy, active and full of energy.

Our first hatcher, the little pullet. Is full of spunk and loves bossing the others around.

I think that both these boys had Dom/buff orps for mamas they both have really white legs and skin.

More good news, we have another pipped egg, #9. I also saw #10 bobbling around.

The chicks are really enjoying having more room.

 

[21hens-incharge]

May Chicken Surprise grow to be THE most beautiful hen!

 

[Redhead Rae]

May Chicken Surprise grow to be THE most beautiful hen!

Amen!

If it turns out to be a rooster though, I'll get to change its name to Mystery Meat.

 

[Redhead Rae]

So I just candled the remaining eggs, and I feel like only 6 of them are still viable. The 5 other eggs that were originally from the lower incubator, I hold no hope for. They are either late quitters or have funky stuff going on in them. The three from the top incubator that I hold no hope for look like late quitters.

Of the 6 that are still viable, there are two with pips. One of them (the one in the picture I posted earlier) pipped in he middle of the egg. I noticed that there was some blood around the hole. I did a partial assist on the side of the pip away from the and it is breech and it looks like it pecked through one of the egg veins to in its attempt to get through the shell. I'm letting it rest for a while and see what happens before I try assisting again.

 

[Chickassan]

Aww,i told you chicken suprise would be ok.

 

[WVduckchick]

So I just candled the remaining eggs, and I feel like only 6 of them are still viable. The 5 other eggs that were originally from the lower incubator, I hold no hope for. They are either late quitters or have funky stuff going on in them. The three from the top incubator that I hold no hope for look like late quitters.

Of the 6 that are still viable, there are two with pips. One of them (the one in the picture I posted earlier) pipped in he middle of the egg. I noticed that there was some blood around the hole. I did a partial assist on the side of the pip away from the and it is breech and it looks like it pecked through one of the egg veins to in its attempt to get through the shell. I'm letting it rest for a while and see what happens before I try assisting again.

So cute. Awesome setup for them too.

Mystery Meat....

 

[Redhead Rae]

We have two more babies!! That gives us a total of 6 so far. One pullet and one cockerel from the looks of it.

The cockerel was the one that I assisted earlier. You can see the blood staining on the shell where he pecked through his blood supply.

We actually had to cut the chick's umbilical because it was stuck to the shell and the poor little guy was frantically trying to kick away from the shell. I checked carefully before cutting that there were no red veins in the cord. The chick calmed down immediately after the cord was cut and relaxed.

 

[lazy gardener]

I'm a worrier by nature, so sue me.

That might make you worry even more!

Congrats on a successful hatch and on a successful assist!

 

[Redhead Rae]

That might make you worry even more!

Congrats on a successful hatch and on a successful assist!

Thanks, I was debating assisting and waiting to see what happened like I did with Chicken Surprise. The blood decided me. I think that would have killed the little guy if I waited. In fact, I think CS would have been better off for an earlier assist, so the shell wouldn't have gotten stuck. This little one is in much better shape than CS was. He already has his feet under him.