Utah!

[Sphinx]

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry they're all doing so poorly. Do you think it's because there's no heat pack, or something else?

I'd be heartbroken to be losing them that fast.

 

[ElkMtnCove]

I'm so sorry to hear! I had the very problem last year but it was the PO's fault - a supervisor left them on THE DOCK in Feb! When I got my replacements they were nice and sent 1-2 of each breed I lost but the rest "for warmth" were roos or straight run banties (I'd lost a lot of quail antwerps). I offered to pay to get pullets I wanted as "for warmth" and it's possible -- but they require you to pay the shipping. Other than that, McMurray has been great to work with.

Sorry again, that cold stress is awful and I know how much it hurts to lose them. I swear I start bonding the second my orders placed...

Can you tell me what are Auracanas? They the purebred Americanas?

Ok, not so good news! I have lost baby after baby. I was up during the night trying to get the weak ones to drink, and I was feeding them egg mash, and wet mash from their own food.
I finally called the hatchery this morning when I saw that two more weren't going to make it, plus three more look like they will not make it. From there, I think the rest should be fine. But, she made an audible gasp, and said, sounds like you are having a straggled death rate. Wait until tomorrow, call us at any time, because they are guaranteed. I will be down to 14 chicks if these last three weak ones don't make it. I asked if they were having problems in the cold areas, and she said no. They watch the different region areas weather conditions...she was telling me because I had told her that I assumed that a heating pack would have been put in, but there wasn't one, and a lot of the babies were just standing there shivering. She asked me if I gave them any vitamins, I said yes, I have electrolytes, and she asks, you know you can wet down their mash and feed it to them, and I told her that I had done that, and I had made some egg yolk mash for them too. She said, oohh, yes that is good too. I told her I was up most of the night taking care of them. But, still losing some. That surprises me. I knew they were in shock yesterday, expected to lose some, but this is not normal. She agreed. So, will see what is up by tomorrow and call back.
Lisa, I'm not sure if I will have any Auracanas! I only have two, and I am working with them. One is stronger, and eating with the others, but not as much as I would like. The other is up at least, and is eating and drinking what I give it. I didn't order many of those, but I ordered 5 Silver Laced Wyondottes, and only have two strong ones, can see that one more isn't going to make it. Quite discouraging to say the least.

 

[ElkMtnCove]

Thanks for explaining Sphinx! May you hv the best of luck with your hatches.

Oh, so cute, thanks for sharing, MrsEmanual!!

Hello UtahChickenMom!!!!


Lockdown: When you incubate chickens, they are supposed to take 21 days to hatch (much like humans take 9 months, so give or take a bit). The first 18-19 days, they are supposed to be turned quite frequently, and it's sort of ok to take them out and candle them. In fact, some people claim that letting the eggs cool for 10 min or so each day is good for the chicks. The humidity should also be kept around 30-35%. The last 2-3 days, humidity should be bumped up to 70% or so. Also, the eggs should not be turned anymore, and you're not supposed to mess with them. They start shifting in the shell so that they can pip. If you take them out, it can make it harder for them to get into proper position. In addition, it can make the humidity drop, which makes for the chicks getting stuck in the shell.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Oh Cynthia, that is so sad. How awful to have to see them die slowly, awful for you to go through that!

I know you cannot ever know what is going to happen. I will just find out what you have left when everything settles down to see if there are any for sale. You have lots to choose from, and it looks like there are others on here too No worries about that part, I just hope you at least have enough make it to get the ones you want! After all that!! I wondered about the SLW I did not see many in the photos and I saw that you ordered more of those, it seems like you are having the toughest time getting your SLW girl! WE will hope for good luck with your lav's....those would be fun to have too I do not have any blue or lav chickens. I also am seriously debating putting 3 fertile eggs under my bantam. She needs something to do!
Sorry again to hear about this. Let us know what happens..

 

[the-bird-man]

so sorry for your loss cynthia

if any of you want a generator, harbor freight has small ones for about $100, it will not run too much but it will run heat lamps and incubators. they often stick a add in the sunday paper with the comics and it has a 20% off coupon so you can save more. one of the major reason i do not heat my coop is if the power goes out my girls would freeze and i did not want to take the risk. my girls are doing well with out the heat but they also are full grown and not chicks

 

[slvrphoenix]

Well the wife and I just went into the IFA in Hyde Park and order are chicks. The wife got her SLW I am getting a couple of Phoenixes , and the little monster other wise known as the daughter got her old english red pyles. That is to bad Cynthia. Where did you order them from them.

 

[Cynthia12]

My New Hampshire's are doing great. I do have two very active little Silver Laced Wyondottes..I have two Orpingtons doing well, the Sussex are doing well..the brown leghorn, the white A. the yellow EE, another EE.
Got them from McMurry, they are going to work with me, but not sure how..sounds like Elk has done this before. I've never had this happen like this before.
birdman, we have a generator. When the power goes out, I like using the car or truck..plug it in there if it's been a while since the power went off, or, if I have some in lock down, and the power is out a couple of mins..out they go to get plugged into the lighter. Works great.
I am going to erase those pictures. Too sad to see, they look so good there, but when I look back, I can see a few that are leaning a bit too much on their back legs, trying to balance. I'll let you know what they say.
At least I'm getting my SLW, which I actually got one from a friend, but I will replace her with my new baby, and I get my Speckled Sussex, and I get my brown leghorn and a NH. Those NH's are strong little bug a boos! I am trying to decide on which Am. or EE to keep. That white one and the yellow one have been the strongest since the beginning.

 

[ElkMtnCove]

Cynthia,

If you need to keep all your lav babies I totally understand. I could just try my luck w/McMurray. Last round was the brown layers but years before I've had blue and even pink.

Again, so sorry about your babies. Wait the total amount of time McMurray gives you. I still lost some up to a week later (and of course was doing all the right things). I think they can get over the shipping shock but add that chill and it's a hard battle for the little dudes.

My New Hampshire's are doing great. I do have two very active little Silver Laced Wyondottes..I have two Orpingtons doing well, the Sussex are doing well..the brown leghorn, the white A. the yellow EE, another EE.
Got them from McMurry, they are going to work with me, but not sure how..sounds like Elk has done this before. I've never had this happen like this before.
birdman, we have a generator. When the power goes out, I like using the car or truck..plug it in there if it's been a while since the power went off, or, if I have some in lock down, and the power is out a couple of mins..out they go to get plugged into the lighter. Works great.
I am going to erase those pictures. Too sad to see, they look so good there, but when I look back, I can see a few that are leaning a bit too much on their back legs, trying to balance. I'll let you know what they say.
At least I'm getting my SLW, which I actually got one from a friend, but I will replace her with my new baby, and I get my Speckled Sussex, and I get my brown leghorn and a NH. Those NH's are strong little bug a boos! I am trying to decide on which Am. or EE to keep. That white one and the yellow one have been the strongest since the beginning.

 

[RedIII]

Cynthia, sorry to hear about your babies having such a tough time. Poor things! You know, I know it's very small compensation, but if for some reason you have a problem with the SLW and they keel over or something (goodness forbid) I could give you a couple of eggs from my SLW hen, once I'm dead certain they are fertile. She's in with my EE roo, so they would be mutts, but......hey, it's something if all else fails, right? Just thought I'd offer......

I couldn't see anything about this, but Lisa, is your little pullet still hanging in there?

Alright everyone, I'm about to call a gentleman in hopes of picking up two lovely ladies to keep Jerry company - one Cochin and one Brahma. I guess we'll see what goes down with that. I'd love a couple of broody girls that won't peck that little guy apart like the last bunch was doing.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Red I hope the new company works out for Jerry! And my bantam is gone. My DH did the deed. She just was not right She was shaking and becoming more miserable, it was not going to get better. I could not get anything out of her, it was just a huge hard mass. Ugh the part of chickens I do not like at all! So Rest in Peace little "FeeBee".

Hey your SLW/EE crosses could be really cute, have you ever hatched any or tried that before?