Encore les abandonnes!

[roitelet]

Another history to keep you interested!

Broody he sitting on 10 eggs Day 22 one hatched Day 23 one more egg pipping. No progress on Day 24 ie today. Mum had taken the first chick out and the eggs were cold so I removed the remaining 9 eggs. Two were infertile and the others were live and now sitting in yet another home made heat box like Vickys and my fingers are crossed!!!!!!!

[Suechooks]

Bonne chance roitelet!

[Glutton4...]

Oh, blimey! I can't stand the suspense!

Fingers crossed for you...

[Nicos]

Good grief...another clutch over 21 days!!!

Good luck gal!

[roitelet]

Quick update........Now they have warmed up there is movement and chirping from all of them.

[Glutton4...]

Have ya got the Camera charged?

[roitelet]

More news.......Still chirping but no one out yet. Camera at the ready!!!!!

[Suechooks]

You'll get up in the morning and they'll all be there! Sleep well!!!!

[roitelet]

One came out of its shell late last night. The rest are all still alive but not out yet. Lots of cheeping still so I am hopefull. Even reheated their hotwater bottle BEFORE I made the tea this morning

[Glutton4...]

Fingers crossed for you!

[roitelet]

5 are out now with help 1 is still trying and one has died.

[Nicos]

Pity about the dead one- but well done you!!!!

[roitelet]

All 6 out now. Will post some pics later when they are all 'washed and brushed up'

[roitelet]

Well the 6 are all still here. 4 seem fine and very noisy but 2 are having problems standing. One, a little blond one is in isolation. Last night I thought it was not long for this world so put it in a seperate box with heat and quite expected it to be gone this morning but it is still here. The darkest one in the picture is also having problems. I shall wait and see what happens but don't hold out much hope for these two. However 4 out of seven is good I think given the rough ride they have had.

If I can get it to work the second pic is of the first one out and the first is them this morning.

Just a question, how long do I need to keep the heat on for them as I am not going to put them back with Mum?

[RichmondHens]

They need to have heat until they are fully feathered, usually about 6 weeks but may be less if they feather up quickly. You can probably get away with leaving the heat off during the day once they get to about four weeks or so. Reduce the heat slightly every couple of days by raising the lamp slightly higher. You will know if they are too cold and need more heat as they will bunch together, if too hot they will spread out as far from the lamp as they can get.

If the chicks are cheeping very loudly they are distressed about something, so you will need to keep a close eye on them. Happy chicks potter, sleep, potter a bit more, and don't make a huge amount of noise. Have they started to feed and drink?