Valentine's Day 1st Annual Hatch Along

[Ravynscroft]

I didn't realize i was set to participate in this thread or I would have jumped on board sooner. Here is my Dark Cornish surrogate. She unhappily allowed me to get pics of the 3 Pakistani Asil chicks shes brooding. 3 out of 14 eggs, but 9 eggs never started. I'm still happy and impressed with the results since she has an unheated crate and still managed to hatch some eggs in NE pa this time of year.

Go Broody!!! I agree, awesome she managed ANY with your weather there!

 

[taymar's flock]

The wait is killing me. It's a beautiful day outside, in the 70's, and I am inside just staring at the incubator. I still only have had one that has hatched and only three pips out of the remaining 10 eggs left. Its going to be a long day and night.

 

[wornoutmomto3]

Finally panic inducing news:

This is the first time I have put chicks under a broody. I selected three chicks and carefully placed them under a broody hen. The hen startled a little when I opened up her brooder box, but settled quickly. She was contentedly sitting on three sleeping chicks when I left them. Now I am in panic mode hoping she will fully except them as hers.

Now if you don't mind I am going to go curl up in a fetal position and fear for the lives of three tiny little chicks. And never do anything so crazy again. Next time, if she wants to be a mama so bad she will just have to hatch her own chicks.

PLEASE update..... all OK? or not?

One of the chicks died during the night. Not sure if mom rejected it or it just got separated from her, but it was laying in the far corner of the brooder-box. The other two chicks are happy and healthy and warm. Mama hen is still very skittish but she is taking care of the two chicks. DH says I should just let her raise those two and keep the rest in a brooder box inside. I am inclined to agree. I was so nervous I barely slept and woke with headache shortly before dawn.
Mama hen and her little brood are separated from the main flock for some bonding time. How long should I keep them away before making introductions? I was thinking a week or two, but I don't want to wait too long.

 

[DarthRooster]

Up to 11 out of 23. Now looks like I've got an australorp, another brahma, and a naked neck. 2 needed assistance as they pipped at the wrong end yesterday afternoon. Not sure what they are yet as they are very tired and weak. Still have 12 to go and 6 of those have pipped already! This heavy assorted order from Murray McMurray is killing me.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I keep my chicks in the brooder till they are strong , I introduced 4 chicks to a mom 2 weeks after everything went just fine. but the mom had strong desire to be a mom- i.e. bantam.




these ones were about a week old and I gave them to this mom. it worked out.

 

[LPeaslee]

Currently I have 2 BCMs and 7 OEs out.

 

[DarthRooster]

2 weak ones are coming around in the incubator. Another hatched and not sure what it is but it's having trouble walking. Legs are splayed but it looks like 1 foot is turned slightly. Any suggestions?

 

[Ravynscroft]

2 weak ones are coming around in the incubator. Another hatched and not sure what it is but it's having trouble walking. Legs are splayed but it looks like 1 foot is turned slightly. Any suggestions?

I use a bandaid to splint the splayed legs... the foot, well, depends on how it is turned... try the splint and see how that helps...
Wrap the bandaid like hobbles...

 

[ochochicas]

Quote: I made a little nest in a tuperware container where the chick stayed for about a day and a half until he could stand on his own. The nest was bowl shaped so his legs and behind fit in the little hole in the bottom and he had no choice other than stay upright.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

This incubator looks interesting. But really I should save my money for a cabinet hatcher to keep breeds apart or a better brooder set up.
http://www.coopsnmore.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1838