Author Topic: My day today & Bamford to the rescue.- Now : HATCHING CHICKS (Read 7771 times)

Beewyched · « **Reply #15 on:** March 11, 2011, 07:55:48 pm »

I keep checking on the little cheepies every 1/2hour - no patience me

Never used the incubator method before - always let the hens do their thing, so no idea how long this process usually takes

princesspiggy · « **Reply #16 on:** March 11, 2011, 08:57:51 pm »

remember, lifting the lid to check reduces humidity an increases the risk of them drying in the egg. our best hatch rate is when they have been left alone completely.
lets do the pros and cons for assisting..
the ones wev had that pip themselves then seem to dry out, 90% of the time seem to have swollen bottoms then bleed alot. if we leave them, they die. any suggestions?

Beewyched · « **Reply #17 on:** March 11, 2011, 09:04:01 pm »

Oh dear

It's ok, I'm not fiddling - just peeking through the transparent casing

pikilily · « **Reply #18 on:** March 11, 2011, 09:04:43 pm »

I have helped a few out before...and seen that, bleeding, if I am not mistaken that is because the umbilicus (for want of a better term) has not shrivelled.

If i help nowadays it is only to clear the chicks head from membranes...ie to prevent drowning or suffocation. I think we need to open this up to more expert folk...will change the title to invite more comments.
Emma T

doganjo · « **Reply #19 on:** March 11, 2011, 09:06:37 pm »

Quote from: princesspiggy on March 11, 2011, 08:57:51 pm

remember, lifting the lid to check reduces humidity an increases the risk of them drying in the egg. our best hatch rate is when they have been left alone completely.
lets do the pros and cons for assisting..
the ones wev had that pip themselves then seem to dry out, 90% of the time seem to have swollen bottoms then bleed alot. if we leave them, they die. any suggestions?

I'm only guessing (an educated guess as I've hatched two lots of duck eggs with only about 50% success). I would think you need more water if they are hatching but are dry, perhaps the bottoms are sticking to the shell. I would help them, but be sure of the dates. I helped one of my ducklings out but it was too soon and it was still attached to the yolk sac - it died. Another of mine had pipped and there was a hole about an inch in diameter, it was late so I went to bed and reckoned it would be dry and fluffy when I came through in teh morning - it was dead too.
I agree, don't open the lid too much, the temperature will really drop. Hatching eggs is a very exciting pastime but can also be heartbreaking.