Thread formerly known as Hatch day is today

[JazminesZoo]

Oh how I wish I would have started with a smaller bator......

 

[dominicsaturday]

When do I take the chicks out of the bator?

There are six in there now and 9 eggs left. Getting a little crowded in a small cooler. They are mostly dry. Not puffy, but not wet either. Will they be fine to go into the brood box I set up?

 

[JazminesZoo]

When they are dry I put them in a brooder with a light, bedding, and food n water

 

[dominicsaturday]

When they are dry I put them in a brooder with a light, bedding, and food n water

So if they're not fully puffed up, don't put them in yet? Some have been in the incubator for 10 hours. Others have only been in for 5 or 6 hours.

 

[JazminesZoo]

So if they're not fully puffed up, don't put them in yet? Some have been in the incubator for 10 hours. Others have only been in for 5 or 6 hours.

I would put them in as long as they are not "wet"

 

[Marty1876]

Hi Dominicsaturday

Glad the hatch is working out so well. I guess I would go ahead and take out everyone who's an hour or two or older, quickly all at once, if you still have eggs your hoping to match. Don't lose all the humidity, or the other eggs will have a harder time of it. With a small bator, you must be sensitive to the humidity issues. Maybe trade the baby ducks out and put in a warm wet sponge to quickly renew the humidity.

Got pics?

 

[dominicsaturday]

Are you my mother?!

My golden retriever helping out with the ducklings. She was so excited haha.

This little guy was having a hell of a time. I've been trying to keep him moist so he doesn't get shrink wrapped.

Resting ducklings. The one by himself is the one who came out first with cord still attached. He is doing fine now, just a little weak.

 

[psue]

Are you my mother?!

My golden retriever helping out with the ducklings. She was so excited haha.

This little guy was having a hell of a time. I've been trying to keep him moist so he doesn't get shrink wrapped.

Resting ducklings. The one by himself is the one who came out first with cord still attached. He is doing fine now, just a little weak.

 

[dominicsaturday]

It's looking like I'm gonna have 11 total ducklings!

1 little guy pipped his shell and everything, but didn't make it through the night.

So far, 6 in the brooder. 4 in the incubator drying off. 1 still hatching. 3 eggs that look like they never pipped.

I'd say that's not bad at all for a styrofoam cooler with varying temp/humidity levels. Painstaking process, but worthwhile nevertheless. If only their mama could see them.

Now she gets to watch 11 ducklings from ducky heaven ... darn coyotes.

There will be more pictures to come, once everyone is out!

-Dominic

 

[JazminesZoo]

My golden retriever helping out with the ducklings. She was so excited haha.

I would caption this photo ..... "LUNCH!"