The Hatch That BYC Built (aka Frieda vs. the Brinsea!) (Warning--pic heavy)

[AmyPaperlady]

So... catching up here... did Frieda hatch any?

(Went back a few posts but couldn't see a mention of her.)

I had forgotten that there was a leak above the nest box she had chosen, and there was a rainstorm that soaked her, the nest, and the eggs. The chilling broke her broodiness. This was the middle of Day 21 (my incubation days started at 3pm). I candled the eggs and put what fit and looked like they had a chamce into the incubator, after they came up to room temp. One of those hatched.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

I should've brooded the chicks indoors for a week or so (or at least a couple of days) before I moved the heating pad outside. I think maybe only 1 was eating. I do remember reading that a chick isn't dead until it's warm and dead, so I have 2 back in the incubator right now. One chick is completely missing. I don't know how. While the remaining chick is running around strong, I don't think it's quite up to scratching hard enough to accidently bury anything. Would a rat be capable of eating/carrying away a few-days-old chick?

I know there's a learning curve, I'm just sorry that it was so steep for these little ones.

How long should I keep the 2 chicks in the incubator to see if they revive?

Breaking the news to my daughters is something I'm not looking forward to.

 

[lazy gardener]

Yes, a rat will carry chicks off. If you're using chicken wire, a weasel can also get in and kill your entire flock, including adults. They'll kill a whole flock in one night just for fun. Sorry you've had such a rough time of it.

 

[ronott1]

I should've brooded the chicks indoors for a week or so (or at least a couple of days) before I moved the heating pad outside. I think maybe only 1 was eating. I do remember reading that a chick isn't dead until it's warm and dead, so I have 2 back in the incubator right now. One chick is completely missing. I don't know how. While the remaining chick is running around strong, I don't think it's quite up to scratching hard enough to accidently bury anything. Would a rat be capable of eating/carrying away a few-days-old chick?

I know there's a learning curve, I'm just sorry that it was so steep for these little ones.

How long should I keep the 2 chicks in the incubator to see if they revive?

Breaking the news to my daughters is something I'm not looking forward

It is best to keep them inside until they are 6 weeks old. Where you live it is always 60ish degrees. The chicks need to be above 90 at first.

I am sorry you are having so many problems!

Feel free to send me a pm if you need help or advice on stuff. Some on BYC do not like it when I caution people against using non traditional methods for chicken stuff.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

I use 1/2" hardware cloth, but I've seen small rat droppings in the coop, and the getting-to-know-you pen, being fully enclosed inside the coop, is merely chicken and chick proof

 

[AmyPaperlady]

Quote:
The chicks I got last spring went out with the heating pad after 2 weeks inside (I got them at the feedstore about an hour after they got them). Temperature-wise, it's about the same now as then--maybe 5-10 degrees cooler at night. I really think they just weren't eating, as they are rather thin, but with nice, plump, hydrated-looking toes.

 

[ronott1]

The chicks I got last spring went out with the heating pad after 2 weeks inside (I got them at the feedstore about an hour after they got them). Temperature-wise, it's about the same now as then--maybe 5-10 degrees cooler at night. I really think they just weren't eating, as they are rather thin, but with nice, plump, hydrated-looking toes.

Go get normal brooding equipment and brood them in the house.

I do not think rats got them. I had rats in my garage last year and they did not bother the chicks.

I use premier and brinsea heat plates in a plastic tub at first. They go out to the garage later.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

Quote:
Well, all I know is that I'd had 4 chicks out there, and now there are 3--one mobile, and two not.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Well, all I know is that I'd had 4 chicks out there, and now there are 3--one mobile, and two not.

 

[Ren2014]

I should've brooded the chicks indoors for a week or so (or at least a couple of days) before I moved the heating pad outside. I think maybe only 1 was eating. I do remember reading that a chick isn't dead until it's warm and dead, so I have 2 back in the incubator right now. One chick is completely missing. I don't know how. While the remaining chick is running around strong, I don't think it's quite up to scratching hard enough to accidently bury anything. Would a rat be capable of eating/carrying away a few-days-old chick?

I know there's a learning curve, I'm just sorry that it was so steep for these little ones.

How long should I keep the 2 chicks in the incubator to see if they revive?

Breaking the news to my daughters is something I'm not looking forward to.

hugs for you and your daughters