YO GEORGIANS! :)

[Coach C]

you can candle after about day four, but it's easier to tell around day 9 or 10. I'd seriously doubt she'll hatch 18, but leave them with her and candle after about a week and see what's happenin    

That's my plan now that I know what she is on. Thursday will be a week since she started. I figured 18 would be pushing it. Should I remove the ones that aren't developing at the week mark?

Just curious, what seems to be a good number for a hen to sit on? Does it depend on hen/egg size? Or is there really no "magic number"?

 

[katsdar]

If it were me I'd leave them, I had a banty/LF mix so she is small but bigger than a regular banty hatch 12, it just depends on the hen size, and she will kick out the duds, don't know how they know but they do

 

[Attila the Hen]

If it were me I'd leave them, I had a banty/LF mix so she is small but bigger than a regular banty hatch 12, it just depends on the hen size, and she will kick out the duds, don't know how they know but they do

They probably know from movement or noise? Perhaps not at an early stage. My hen, on the other hand, sat for 32 days on duds. I finally replaced two eggs with live chicks. She was thrilled.

 

[PapaChaz]

If it were me I'd leave them, I had a banty/LF mix so she is small but bigger than a regular banty hatch 12, it just depends on the hen size, and she will kick out the duds, don't know how they know but they do

I've never had a broody kick out the duds, in my past experiences, she'll sit on them until the chicks that hatch are a couple days old then, then give up on them and bury them in the nest. I'd imagine they can feel the chicks moving around inside the shells though, couldn't they?

 

[Flowerbh]

Luckily, right after I asked, I caught her off her nest. I marked all the ones that she is on. She has 18. I will check daily from here on out. Should I candle the 18 one night and see which are developing?

It has truly been a learning experience. Next time I will mark on day one!

Problem is, if she has been adding eggs daily, they are at all different stages of development. She will only sit on eggs for about two days after the first ones hatch. You will either have to incubate the others until hatch, or lose them. Next time, do as Papa said....marked the original ones (I put a big red heart on mine with a marker) and gather all the added ones every day. We all had to learn thru trial and error! You will enjoy all this more the second time around when you know what to expect. Just relax and let Mama Broody do her thing!

 

[Flowerbh]

Hey all

for those who are FB friends with me, y'all know we were on vacation out of state to a family reunion. I had my daughters, neither of which were able to go with us, stopping by every day tending to things, gathering eggs, making sure water was there, even though I know I have the big water system.....

anyway, when we got back last night it wasn't long before dark by the time I got to get around to check everything, and a few of my girls were already on the nest. My splash hen, which was hatched last sept, has become sick. Raspy breathing, very watery poo, very lethargic, messy messy bottom......

she's the only one like this, so I don't think it's a feed/water related thing. suggestions? other than the wormer and isolation which I've already done

Papa, almost everything that involves raspy breathing can be contagious. I would separate her right away. I don't think worming is the answer. She may need antibiotics. Google raspy breathing in chickens

 

[Flowerbh]

Ok everyone. I have chicks available!!!

Crested Cream Legbars
4 Lavender Ameraucanas
Olive Eggers
Easter Eggers
Fun mixed breeds

Let me know ASAP!

 

[ericinga]

Respiratory Infection going around!!

A friend of mine that had the gapeworm or so she thought kept trying to help them and in the end I called a vet at the University of Miss and found out that a respiratory infection that is going around and usually misdiagnosed is called Mycoplasma Gallisetpicum (hope I spelled that right) and can be carried from parent to egg to chick. The chicks she has that are sick came from Ladds and from 2 different breeds and 2 different batches about a month apart. He said chances are the breeders they are using all have it. They could get it from eating together or drinking together or maybe when one is eating something and the other grabs it out of their mouth. Which we have all seen!

Symptoms: They make a gasping noise, don't want to eat or drink and may have a discharge from the eyes or nose. Some may have one symptom and some may have all. Some chickens may not even show symptoms.

He said to give them Oxytetracycline for 3-4 days and if that doesn't seem to work after about a week go with Tylosin (which is expensive). Usually the Oxy does the job he said.. You may want to treat everyone if one has it because chances are other if not all have it as well.

NO I DID NOT GO TO HER HOUSE AND LOOK AT HER BIRDS!! I WANTED TO BUT I AM NOT SLOW!

I

 

[Flowerbh]

Respiratory Infection going around!!

A friend of mine that had the gapeworm or so she thought kept trying to help them and in the end I called a vet at the University of Miss and found out that a respiratory infection that is going around and usually misdiagnosed is called Mycoplasma Gallisetpicum (hope I spelled that right) and can be carried from parent to egg to chick. The chicks she has that are sick came from Ladds and from 2 different breeds and 2 different batches about a month apart. He said chances are the breeders they are using all have it. They could get it from eating together or drinking together or maybe when one is eating something and the other grabs it out of their mouth. Which we have all seen!

Symptoms: They make a gasping noise, don't want to eat or drink and may have a discharge from the eyes or nose. Some may have one symptom and some may have all. Some chickens may not even show symptoms.

He said to give them Oxytetracycline for 3-4 days and if that doesn't seem to work after about a week go with Tylosin (which is expensive). Usually the Oxy does the job he said.. You may want to treat everyone if one has it because chances are other if not all have it as well.

NO I DID NOT GO TO HER HOUSE AND LOOK AT HER BIRDS!! I WANTED TO BUT I AM NOT SLOW!

And, BTW, if can be caused by wild birds pooping in your chicken yard. Almost impossible to protect against. So, don't blame your daughters.

 

[PapaChaz]

Papa, almost everything that involves raspy breathing can be contagious. I would separate her right away. I don't think worming is the answer. She may need antibiotics. Google raspy breathing in chickens

yeah I separated her immediately upon realizing it. I'll be watching the rest of them also. Going today to see what antibiotics I can find OTC