Hope that everyone is having a good day and enjoyed the sunshine today!
We are at day 20 of our test incubation with the 4 eggs and I must say that it has been exciting today. I woke about 5 am this am and realized that there wasn't enough light coming from the kitchen where the incuabator is. Hurried out to see that the light bulb had burnt out and the temp had dropped to 68 degrees and on top of that 1 chick was hatched out and laying in the basket still wet....
Woke up my DH and we quickly started working to correct the problems. Our DD also woke up and came to see what was happening-sent her to get a light bulb and then opened up the bator to fix the problem. Looking at the chick we weren't sure if it would make it-I picked it up and it was wet and cold to the touch but it was slowly breathing and peeping a bit. Knowing that we needed to get it warm quickly, sent our DD for the hair dryer and started to warm the chick up with that carefully-once it started feeling the heat it started moving in my hand and peeping. At this point we weren't sure it would make it but knew we had to try our hardest as our 4 year old has told us that these are his chicks(his sister has hers and his brother is getting his in 2 weeks
We also used the hair dryer to rewarm the heat sink so that the incubator would get up to heat quicker. We got the incubator up to temp and put the chick back into the basket so it could stay warm and finish drying off-at this point the chick's eyes were still closed but within a half hour it was moving more and slowly opening its eyes. This chick is yellow with some light blue coloring throughout its body.
By this time all 3 kids are standing and looking into the incuabtor watching not only this chick but the 2nd egg that has pipped and working on making a bigger hole. To see their faces especially the 4 year old's was priceless. I think that my DH and I both had our fingers crossed that the chick would make it(my kids do have a good understanding about animals not making it as we have had to say good bye to a few foster dogs that were to sick to make it and a rabbit).
So in between eating breakfast and getting ready for school(yep sent them out the door to catch the bus
and work, we watched the 2nd egg break it's shell and unzip itself-of course just as they needed to walk out for the bus it hatched so they were able to watch it come out of the egg. This chick is dark in color with some white mixed in. What a neat process to observe. They also have watched a hen lay a egg!
We have the 3rd egg with a small pip and can't see anything on the 4th egg yet. I told my DH that we needed a mirror under the bakset to watch underneath-that was were the 2nd egg was working to breakout!
So both chicks are dried out and taking a nap while waiting for the other 2 eggs to hopefully hatch.
So Terry O feel free to come and check it out
Do a search on Wi. hatcheries there's alot out there. One is Purely Poultry in your area. Tyler is on here when he has time he's another one that doesn't sleep. A lot of good people and info here. We all try to help one another with our problems and share our celebrations too. They have helped me many many times. Like I said good people! Come on Louise see this through to the end! Peep Peep Peep! It wasn't the eggs fordmommy it was me typing. Bet she spends the night watching and listening.
