Tis Time for a March 2020 Hatch-a-long!

[CluckNDoodle]

There’s one chick that keeps opening it’s beak and like looking up. Is that something that needs attention or normal? I’ve put its beak in water but it’s not thirsty

They can aspirate easily so I would move it away from the water if it seems weak. Is it panting? Does it have a way to get away from the heat source?

 

[hysop]

They can aspirate easily so I would move it away from the water if it seems weak. Is it panting? Does it have a way to get away from the heat source?

It moves itself away from the water. I moved the brooder a little farther from the heat lamp and they’ve dispersed evenly around the brooder. I’ll keep an eye on that chick. Maybe it was that they were too close to the lamp. Thank you!

 

[CluckNDoodle]

It moves itself away from the water. I moved the brooder a little farther from the heat lamp and they’ve dispersed evenly around the brooder. I’ll keep an eye on that chick. Maybe it was that they were too close to the lamp. Thank you!

You're welcome, I hope that was it!

 

[hysop]

Nine chicks hatched so far. They are perfectly dispersed so I’m feeling confident they’ll be warm tonight and not hot to the point of exhaustion. Thanks for that tip. I knew that too, but I figured they needed extra heat since they were newly hatched babies. Now I know! Good night! Hope to wake up to more chicks. If not, I’ll be candling.
Edited to add: should I remove the water for tonight and give it to them tomorrow morning? They don’t seem to be drinking it and I don’t want to wake up to a tragedy.

 

[FortCluck]

One of my eggs is rolling around like crazy I sat there for ten minutes watching it. Now I hope my husband wakes me up at 4 am to tell me there are bantams in the incubator.

Someone asked me if the chicks can get out of the baskets I put in my bator... I don't think I answered, but I doubt they can because they'll be tiny wee little things. I'm afraid I'll break them

 

[julskinka]

Nine chicks hatched so far. They are perfectly dispersed so I’m feeling confident they’ll be warm tonight and not hot to the point of exhaustion. Thanks for that tip. I knew that too, but I figured they needed extra heat since they were newly hatched babies. Now I know! Good night! Hope to wake up to more chicks. If not, I’ll be candling.
Edited to add: should I remove the water for tonight and give it to them tomorrow morning? They don’t seem to be drinking it and I don’t want to wake up to a tragedy.
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I don't think they need any food or water for the first 24 hours or so, so the safer choice would probably be to take the water out overnight. I prefer a nipple waterer for the first week or two for this reason.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Nine chicks hatched so far. They are perfectly dispersed so I’m feeling confident they’ll be warm tonight and not hot to the point of exhaustion. Thanks for that tip. I knew that too, but I figured they needed extra heat since they were newly hatched babies. Now I know! Good night! Hope to wake up to more chicks. If not, I’ll be candling.
Edited to add: should I remove the water for tonight and give it to them tomorrow morning? They don’t seem to be drinking it and I don’t want to wake up to a tragedy.
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I usually leave the water with my chicks but they won't actually need it so since you have some concerns about one of your peeps I would take it out for the night.

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

Nine chicks hatched so far. They are perfectly dispersed so I’m feeling confident they’ll be warm tonight and not hot to the point of exhaustion. Thanks for that tip. I knew that too, but I figured they needed extra heat since they were newly hatched babies. Now I know! Good night! Hope to wake up to more chicks. If not, I’ll be candling.
Edited to add: should I remove the water for tonight and give it to them tomorrow morning? They don’t seem to be drinking it and I don’t want to wake up to a tragedy.
View attachment 2041378

Putting cleaned (sanitized type cleaned) rocks in the water to where there’s no space between them will keep the little ones from falling asleep in the water.

SO glad I put rocks in for the first batch we hatched. One of the chicks was asleep with its head on a rock. So if anyone says that doesn’t work... wrong! Normally after a couple days they aren’t as zombieish? I guess that’s a way to put it! They won’t be as bad about walking around sleeping on everything and in weird positions.

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

I like the nipple waterer idea...

Have yet to try one, but curious how hard it is to set up?

 

[baby-blue]

I like the nipple waterer idea...

Have yet to try one, but curious how hard it is to set up?

I use a simple rodent water bottle for babies if they don’t have a broody with them. Never had an issue and they’re cheap!