A little reminder of the boys.

[di]

I'm now really starting to think that some higher force has really made it's mind up that we shouldn't be hatching...it seems every time we try,whether broody or incubator we face biggie probs
Last night the thermostat went on the innci...I noticed the temp was over 40
I've almost accepted that the remaining eggs aren't going to hatch but feel we've got to do our best.We've propped the lid open a little and have managed to get the temp right and constant and I'm regularly checking the humidity.nly time shall tell,but there was definate signs of life last night.
I'm so close to saying never ever again......but then I look in the brooder and see two little black balls of magic looking up at me
I'll get the camera out later and get a couple of dry and fluffy pics to share.

[Nicos]

when are those due to hatch????

I'd have thought that eggs can cope with being warmer for a short time- bit like in the summer when the gals get off their clutches for a poop, drink , nosh and a stretch. I'm sure in the Med etc when air temps get into the high 40's the mom must recool the eggs when she gets back on the nest.
Fingers crossed it wasn't too hot for very long!

Piccies??..ooooo...yes please!

[di]

I just checked the humidity/temp and there's two pipping.....I feel sick!I know normally the best thing would be to just go out and forget about them,but having to check things constantly it's not easy to ignore them!

[organic]

It's a good job my girlfriend doesn't read this forum.

I'm pretty "whenever I've got the space" about chooks, but she wants some "now!"... this thread has got me wanting some "now" too - she'd be off to buy some on her next day off if she saw it!

Gonna have to step up the saving of pocket money for the "house/farm in the country fund".

Lovely pics.

[di]

Best I hurry up and tempt you with more pics then Organic!

[organic]

She'd agree, for sure.
Personally I'm torn between "no!" and "go for it" because they are lovely looking things (but then I think they are lovely things all the way from egg to adult [and beyond] - they never fail to make me smile).

Chicks though...? *melts*

[MaureenHall]

Oh just go for it Organic I can promise you you'll never look back and after a week of having them you'll wonder what took you so long

[organic]

Maureen - I guarantee I'll go for it at some point... space is an issue at the moment though.
As soon as I have the room I'll have chooks too.

Same reason I don't have a dog too.

[di]

Very sensible waiting for the space.....but just think what a wonderful pressie a little incubator and a few eggs would make....she'd love it....and it'd give you three weeks to clear a space and sort out a lovely home for them

Latest is that temp and humidity are still fine and the two pipped ones are still making pipping sounds and cheeping.Cracks don't seem any bigger but they didn't start long ago.
There was also another egg that had pipped but had oozed something and whatever it had oozed had dried out.I had a good listen to make sure it was dead before I started chipping away to investigate(the dried up gunk was a pretty big clue)
Anyway...it was exactly like the first one that died in that it's organs were on the outside
Both eggs were from either Dandelion or Marigold.Do you think it was to do with our lack of incubating skills or possibly that either D or M have some genetic fault that they passed down?

I'm thankfully out at a meeting this evening so it's Andi's turn to desperately will on the others with a constant stare!

[organic]

She'd like you!

It's not clear space that's the issue but actual space. We just don't have enough room to keep them at her place or mine and it's hard enough to get allotment space to grow food around here, let alone keep chooks on (and besides, I'd rather have them at home than on a plot that's 2 miles away if you fly a crow there and more like 2.5 by road).

That said, some day and incubator and some eggs (and a coop, of course) will make a great present!


Something about this thread brings up a mental image of a father-to-be pacing in the hallway in the maternity ward. No doubt I'll be like this when my first lot are hatching though.

[di]

The third is out...bit of an ugly lil thing
Bless it...it's this huge gangly thing....I'm sure it will fluff up lovely.
There's one more egg which has made a hole and is cheeping lots...more so now the ugly white one's making it known it's finally free.

[Nicos]

ugly????...hw can you call your babies ugly???

...good news that they're hatching though!!!!

[di]

It's got a cute face....just a huge body and legs that don't look like they actually belong to a chick
I'm not sure if it's got a splayed leg or it's more to do with the fact that it's only an hour or so old.....and has incredibly large feet to get used to
Do you know how soon you can tell?From what I've read,the sooner you treat the better.....I'll let it dry out properly before I worry.(cos as you can probably tell,I don't worry that much)

[Nicos]

splayed leg....

Spraddle Legs - PoultryHelp.com - Your Best Online Source for Poultry Raising Information

you and I should be asleep eh????

[di]

Cheers...I've been googling but didn't come across that one.It's having a little snooze at the mo.

asleep?...I was worried going to bed and the eggs overheating and waking up to ready roast chicks for brekkie