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

[gimmie birdies]

Yeh, maybe I will try putting coconut oil on it...

and more was hanging out.

 

[gmjarvi]

I actually typed up a huge ramble while I was trying to decide what I would do if it were me and I realized it wasn't helpful at all, LOL!
So, collecting my thoughts, I'll try to help you make a decision based on my experience.
- Keeping the membrane moist is important.
- Coconut oil will work but it will need to be reapplied more often because if allowed to dry completely it will actually harden the membrane.
- Antibiotic ointment/neosporin as long as it doesn't have pain reliever would be what I would try because it doesn't sounds like it hardens and it lasts a very long time but I haven't actually used it first hand yet.
- When something is applied to the membrane it will then be translucent and if you find that enough of the blood vessels have receded you may actually feel comfortable enough to make the internal pip if you can see the beak.
- Make sure yo wash your hands before handling, use rubbing alcohol to clean any tools you might use, and be very gentle when touching the membrane because even a q-tip can rupture blood vessels if they're still very full.

I hope that is helpful. My brain is all over the place today. lol

This is very helpful, thank you!!

Yeah thats okay first time mother behaviour I think. Its abit scarey for them but once they work out its not coming out to eat them they are usually okay! Cows, horses, cats and dogs even freak out alittle when they have babies first time, so I imagine for a chicken thats been sitting on a rock for 20 days and then that rock is suddenly making noises and moving then opening up... I'd probably peck it too.

I mean I definitely freaked out a little when my son was born so I can relate. I promise I didnt peck him, though.

 

[Muscovy Wunda]

Definetely! Even when you know its coming its daunting

 

[Mylied]

Fricking Adore decided she only wanted two chicks. She's off the nest with the 2 and left behind one freshly hatched, several pipped, all cold. I moved them to the incubator except the hatched one. I have that one on me. She used to be a great broody. The last few times, not so much. I wonder if it's her age. She's probably around 5 years old.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I had 2 one year old broodies last year, they each hatched out chicks then got bored caring for them and went back to sitting on eggs, leaving 2 groups of 2 week olds to fend for themselves, 2 old hens who had never cared for chicks or hatched chicks took over the care of those babies.


I just checked the chicks and the BO chick who hatched late last night had ended up on her back and could not flip over, because she is so fat. When I looked down at her she looked up at me like... "This is my reality now. I will lay on my back the rest of my life." I turned her back over, and she just kinda went.."oh."

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Fricking Adore decided she only wanted two chicks. She's off the nest with the 2 and left behind one freshly hatched, several pipped, all cold. I moved them to the incubator except the hatched one. I have that one on me. She used to be a great broody. The last few times, not so much. I wonder if it's her age. She's probably around 5 years old.

Oh no! At least you caught it! I hope they still hatch ok!

 

[gimmie birdies]

I want to name one of my chicks "Adore"!

 

[baby-blue]

Dropping in with some good news - we have two internal pips!!

I had to candle every single egg in the hatcher today since the glass on the top fell through. The temp got down to 84 degrees F and I about lost it. I thought they all had died, but thankfully, we only lost two. Two have pipped internally and are very active. The rest are still chilling out in lockdown. This wait is killing me but I’m so excited to finally see these babies. I think we have up to 22 in lockdown in the hatcher now! That accounts for all of my chicken eggs due to hatch this time around. The duck eggs have a little over a week left, but I’m guessing they’ll be early, too. So excited!

 

[Mylied]

I want to name one of my chicks "Adore"!

She's named after a drag queen on RuPauls Drag Race. I named all my original showgirls after drag queens. My rooster is Jujubee, Juju for short. I only have the 2 left.

Adore always weans, or whatever call it in chickens, at 3 weeks. She's changed my views on brooding.

 

[gimmie birdies]

That is so great, I thought it was after the movie.

One more LO hatched! Smaller egg smaller chick.