Valentines Day Hatch-A-Long 2016

[JacksFarmNGardn]

Jacks, I'm so glad you got to experience a successful hatch. Just a little more than a day ago I was cringing at your suggestion you were going to assist after only 24 hours. I meant to post this link then, but decided it would be better for you to see for yourself.

Anyway, here is @Sally Sunshine
's Step by Step Guide to Assisted Hatching - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching (I don't know why the editor won't let me put links into posts anymore). As Sally says right up top; "Most new hatcher's assist too soon and too fast"...

I was up late the other night,googling how to assist hatch, and its so all over the place! I read that assistance would be needed after 18-24 hours,and other articles saying it can take to day 23-24 to hatch! I'm glad everything worked out. This was my second hatch,and probably learned more this time around! I set a goose egg a fam member gave me,and have been reading up on my new endeavor! Good luck on your hatches in a few days!ill still be following!

 

[NTBugtraq]

I don't have much hair to need a hair dryer! It was in the incubator for a fee hours. Seemed weak,as i found it on its back once,so after a few hours, its partially dry and i tried getting it to drink an electroltye water. The other chick is dry,but the fluff is still sticking to the chicks body. Any way to help that or just wait til they eventually preen themselves?

Leave it be, but keep it away from other chicks. One problem with early chicks is that they will peck at anything "different", so they might very well peck at the fluff sticking to the chick's body.

As for getting chicks to drink electrolyte water, you need syringes without needles. Instead of trying to convince them to drink, you give them a squirt when they open their beaks. If they are on their backs, they definitely need the electrolytes. Unfortunately, some will not come right even with such water...so, be vigilant.

 

[RonoKT]

I have left the incubator going with the last three eggs but I'm pretty sure they are done. I got two out twelve with 11 starting. I put eggs from two sources in and one source, all of the eggs where a big dirty. I know at least one was infected as I cracked open a foul green stink. I think bacreria ruined my hatch. I have bought some incubator disinfectant and am using it in the water of my other hatch (lock down last night) and will be sure to clean the "dirty" incubator very well. All good learning. I think I will try and collect eggs from the seller myself next time instead of through the post. I would be able to reject dirty eggs and also control the journey to my home much better. I don't like the bio security risk of visiting another flock though..

 

[TJordan]

I have left the incubator going with the last three eggs but I'm pretty sure they are done. I got two out twelve with 11 starting. I put eggs from two sources in and one source, all of the eggs where a big dirty. I know at least one was infected as I cracked open a foul green stink. I think bacreria ruined my hatch. I have bought some incubator disinfectant and am using it in the water of my other hatch (lock down last night) and will be sure to clean the "dirty" incubator very well. All good learning. I think I will try and collect eggs from the seller myself next time instead of through the post. I would be able to reject dirty eggs and also control the journey to my home much better. I don't like the bio security risk of visiting another flock though..

Sorry for your loss.

 

[RonoKT]

It's a shame but I am very much still learning so I shall view it as a lesson.

 

[TJordan]

It's a shame but I am very much still learning so I shall view it as a lesson.

I don't think you should ever stop learning. The day I stop learning is the day that my eyes close for the last time upon this world and opens upon the Kingdom of God.

 

[RonoKT]

I agree, learning should never stop, but I hope I can me making fewer "lessons" for myself soon! I opened the eggs, just the aircel end. All three dead in the shell, but there was quite a bit of liquid in there with them, so maybe they died a few days before lockdown. My aircells where a good size, so I'm not suspecting humidity trouble.

 

[TJordan]

I agree, learning should never stop, but I hope I can me making fewer "lessons" for myself soon! I opened the eggs, just the aircel end. All three dead in the shell, but there was quite a bit of liquid in there with them, so maybe they died a few days before lockdown. My aircells where a good size, so I'm not suspecting humidity trouble.

May of had to much humidity for some. If it's a still air it can differ depending on place in incubator.

 

[RonoKT]

It's a fan model, the aircells on the dead in shell chicks where big, same as the others that hatched v

 

[TJordan]

It's a fan model, the aircells on the dead in shell chicks where big, same as the others that hatched v

May of just been a problem with the chick then. Sorry for the unhatched. I lost most of my last hatch due to temp spikes and humidity I only hatched 12/30. The 12 I have are happy even if they have a case of pasty butt

. Washing chick butts. Never fun but at least I talked my husband into letting me get a few different chicks from the store to add a splash of color to my flock and eggs