Author Topic: Incubator woes (Read 13100 times)

whitby_sam · « **Reply #45 on:** February 13, 2010, 05:47:37 pm »

I'm working on it...

whitby_sam · « **Reply #46 on:** February 13, 2010, 06:36:14 pm »

I've got 7 dry and fluffy chicks, one of them aproaching 24 hours old. Now I know they take in the yolk sack and have enough food for 48 hours but I feel they probably need a drink... Should I transfer the 7 that have hatched to my brooder thus giving the remaining eggs some space? Or should I put a shallow bowl of water in the incubator? Or should I wait another 24 hours?

jameslindsay · « **Reply #47 on:** February 13, 2010, 06:39:10 pm »

I have done both things before. I think removing them to the heat lamp gives the other eggs peace and allows the wee ones a chance to eat and drink.

shetlandpaul · « **Reply #48 on:** February 13, 2010, 06:49:30 pm »

yes do that.

whitby_sam · « **Reply #49 on:** February 13, 2010, 06:53:30 pm »

And then there were 8...

We're going to wait til the little one's gone to bed and then transfer whoever has hatched into the brooder for some food and drink... We've got the temp stable between 90 and 95F which is a little cooler than the incubator... Will this be ok?

jameslindsay · « **Reply #50 on:** February 13, 2010, 06:56:54 pm »

Remember if they are cold they will sit right under the builb and likewise if they are too warm they will move away from it. The heat is critical so keep an eye on them for the first while. My builb is a ceramic type one (if thats the right way to say), which is perfect for water fowl as it won't crack if water is splashed on it.

whitby_sam · « **Reply #51 on:** February 13, 2010, 07:02:42 pm »

Maybe I'll keep them in the incubator a little longer... I know they're fragile I don't want to lose any so probably best not to move them until I really have to...

There are another 4 eggs pipped and showing signs of life too!

shetlandpaul · « **Reply #52 on:** February 13, 2010, 08:13:00 pm »

just get them out at 24 hours and they will be fine. don't leave it to long they will make a right mess in tour incubator.

whitby_sam · « **Reply #53 on:** February 13, 2010, 09:14:25 pm »

10 now...

whitby_sam · « **Reply #54 on:** February 14, 2010, 09:53:22 am »

12 in the brooder, eating, drinking and running around... 1 still hatching and 2 with no sign of life.

13 out of 15 can't be bad for a first attempt!

All we need to do now is work out which are girls and which are boys.

Are cockerills worth much? They're from very good show quality stock...

Daisys Mum · « **Reply #55 on:** February 14, 2010, 11:12:38 am »

Fantastic thats great for a first attempt, hope you have lots of girls!!

whitby_sam · « **Reply #56 on:** February 14, 2010, 02:20:31 pm »

Me too! Unfortunately its hard to tell with Marans until they're a bit older.

whitby_sam · « **Reply #57 on:** February 14, 2010, 03:46:12 pm »

Pictures Here

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=149894&id=666177832&l=488af1d98d

whitby_sam · « **Reply #58 on:** February 17, 2010, 03:30:58 pm »

I now have less than 4 weeks to build the Duck House, build a new shed for all my existing chooks to live, Swap my cockerills and make a pond... Not too bad except I only have 1 day a week to myself LOL! The joys of fatherhood! I would like to think my 3 year old would be of huge help to me and make my long list of jobs so much easier...