Very first hatch complete [with pics] - Jersey Giants

[Wynette]

A close friend has done all my hatching until now; this is my very first "own" hatch. I purchased eggs from BYC's okcarla. I've always wanted Jersey Giants! Carla sent 10 eggs, and 8 of the 10 hatched! I got 4 blue, 3 black, and even a splash - what I was crossing my fingers most for!! Excellent rate for shipped eggs + first hatch! One that didn't hatch pipped but did not hatch, and the other never pipped but did develop almost all the way. So, fertility and shipping were excellent on Carla's part! Thanks, Carla!!

Here are my little cuties!

 

[sara]

Congrats on your hatch! You did good!

 

[Heidi]

They are adorable!!! Congrats on your new babies.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Congrats to you Wynette! They are absolutely adorable and what a great success story for a first hatch and shipped eggs!

HOORAY!

 

[bantamman13]

Those are some great looking little chicks,there is nothing like the feeling of hatching your own birds out. Good luck with them keep us posted

 

[Wynette]

Thanks, all! I felt prepared, having learned so much on BYC. It was still nerve-wracking when I was several hours into day 21 with no pips yet. I finally took a nap to try to get myself to stop looking, and 2 hrs. later I had one hatched, a pip, and a zip! Hurry up and...WAIT!

Hopefully, 2009 will go well. Last year (as some of you know) I battled several bad illnesses in my flocks. Hopefully I took enough precautions and made enough changes in handling my birds that it will be better this year. I also vaccinated these guys for Marek's. That was intesting, and more nerve wracking than beginning day 21 without pips, but we made it through! Poor DH, having to hold the tiny chicks while I poked them with a needle! He was beside himself!

 

[oldchickenman]

what bator were you useing

 

[Wynette]

I bought a "scratch & dent" (slightly used) Brinsea Octagon 20. It's small, and I found it held temp and humidity extremely well. I'm very pleased with it, but I've never used anything else so have nothing to compare it to!!

 

[okcarla]

Wynette that is absolutely AWESOME!

I'm amazed they did so well!

You obviously know how to hatch chicks right. Thank goodness for BYC.

I know I've sure learned a lot since I've joined, and I've definitely enjoyed the positive experience with you and everyone else I've had the chance to visit with on the forum.

 

[banter]

I am jealous! I don't have good luck hatching in cold weather and feel I need to wait until at least March. They are beautiful and so healthy looking!