Uh, is someone ready for lockdown a little early?

[Saigey]

I’m very sorry

It's hard, but it happens, and I'm so lucky to have 8 sweet little floofs! I would never have gotten this far without you and everyone else here! I learned a LOT and will type it all up eventually. The most interesting thing is that the ones that pipped/zipped on their own weren't necessarily the most robust! Many interesting facts learned!
So many pictures will be incoming, in the next few days, lol. Loki started laying again, and I may try and hatch a few in case anyone might want some in spring.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think there may be a hatching addiction going on here.
Where have I heard this before " I think I might hatch a few in case anyone might want some in spring"

 

[Saigey]

Finally! I got pictures of everyone!!! I had to try and interrupt a feeding frenzy, but we did it

 

[WVduckchick]

Adorable!

 

[Miss Lydia]

They sure are precious

 

[Saigey]

They sure are precious

I can't get over how different they are! Different length and color bills and feet!

 

[Miss Lydia]

It's amazing how on hatch can have so many different colors etc. How are they all doing?

 

[Saigey]

It's amazing how on hatch can have so many different colors etc. How are they all doing?

I don't know how I just saw this! My phone isn't great with alerts lately! Sorry for the delay! They are all eating and drinking (they eat a LOT!) and cheeping and making a lot of messiness and poops, lol. Chloe was worrying me a bit because every time they splashed in the water, her nose would get clogged and she would wheeze through the stopped up holes. We tried everything in the threads on this forum (seriously, it's the best resource imaginable) and only had temporary luck. The nasal aspirator actually seemed to be puffing up her little nose openings even worse and making it harder for air to get through. I got creative and tried gently massaging one side of her bill at a time with a warm, wet teabag from some peppermint herbal tea, and that seemed a bit less traumatic. She's doing well, though! Yesterday her feet peeled like crazy- it was like a snake shedding dry skin! I think it was just a sign that the nose ickiness is passing and she's getting better, because she's happily making a huge mess with everyone today. Willow and Zac are still the tiniest, but they both go through the eat, splash, play, preen cycle like everyone else, and are both very energetic, so I just have them in a smaller brooder so they don't have to fight for food and water. Loki is still laying eggs, but she has slowed down the process (I would, too! So many eggs!) and lays in the afternoon. She still has free choice calcium, the egg shells are healthy, and I'm giving her extra protein. I picked up some electrolytes and probiotics if she starts to seem sluggish. I haven't let the babies get in more than a few inches of warm water yet, but they're working up to it! I will post new pics at bath time! In the meantime, I have pics of Zac and Wilow and Chloe's nose

 

[Miss Lydia]

They are so dog gone precious

Are the holes open all the way on Chloe's nares? they are such tiny little things I can imagine how tiny those little nare holes are. I am glad to hear she is doing all things ducky today and enjoying life.

 

[Saigey]

They are so dog gone precious

Are the holes open all the way on Chloe's nares? they are such tiny little things I can imagine how tiny those little nare holes are. I am glad to hear she is doing all things ducky today and enjoying life.

They are indeed open, and basically microscopic. I don't know how water gets stopped up in there, but I can't see anything in there. She's as happy as can be, she just gets nervous at bath time (even though it's too shallow for anybody to drown in). She tries to clear her nose out, but somehow it doesn't clear all the way and she gets water stuck in there. Still no lung clicking (I am overly careful about waterlogging these little peeps) so hopefully it will clear up soon. They are just doing their thing! Mommy Loki has noticed them, and is actually kind of freaked out by them. Poor Downey has seen so much in his 2 years, nothing surprises him anymore . I have the holes on the sides of the brooder covered in the evenings, just fyi, lol. It's about 80 degrees during the day right now and the thermostat controls the temperature in the OTHER room, making this entire room a brooder when the sun is coming in the windows! Also, it doesn't matter where I move the light or how big of a brooder they're in, they all lump together in a cuddle pile