4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Pinkybijou]

Dora's one remaining egg has started pipping, I am SO excited! (if you remember, the other one cracked then disappeared last week after I put micropore tape on it) It isn't due to hatch until tomorrow, but when Dora popped off the nest today to scoff some rice I picked the egg up and sure enough there's a tiny little break towards the fat end of the egg which has been made from inside. I put the egg up to my ear and.... I heard a squeeky little 'peep!' and some tapping. I cannot bear the waiting!

 

Do you think it will be OK if it comes a day early? I have no experience of this at all and from stuff I've read I always thought they were 21 days exactly. Dora started sitting on it on Wednesday 28th at teatime, so it shouldn't be hatching until maybe this time tomorrow. Is it as exact as that? It is a very small egg, maybe that's why? Any thoughts would be welcome.

 

My chick feeder/drinker arrived in the post today and hopefully the chick crumbs will arrive tomorrow. I hope the little thing makes it, I know it's a tense time hatching. EXCITED!!!

Edited June 17, 2008 by Guest

[superjules]

It is exciting isn't it?! Hope it all goes ok.

 

We had an early chick. Sonic hatched a day early on a Tuesday, we had another hatch on the Thursday night but this caused the broodies to abandon the nest on the Friday to look after the chicks, leaving a cheeping egg, which nearly broke my heart. I tried to keep it warm in an intimate place while I made alternative arrangements but poor little "bra chick" didn't pip.

 

If you are lifting the broody to check the eggs, please bear in mind that this alters the humidity dramatically which can adversely affect your hatch.

[Pinkybijou]

We have a chick!!!!

 

Just went to see how Dora is, because Doris will be wanting to get into the Eglu for the night soon. I could hear loads of quiet little cheeping. I lifted Dora's wing and there lying all wet on the floor of the nest was a little black chick, cheeping and wriggling! I think it has literally just come out of its egg. I didn't know chicks ever came out black, it's beautiful I'm surprised it has come a day early too.

 

My dilemma now is when to let Doris in the Eglu. I'm sure Dora will protect her new baby from Doris if she gets too inquisitive, but it's still a worry. It will be Doris's bedtime in about an hour.

 

Also, when should I remove the rubber egg and Doris's infertile egg Dora has been sitting on? Oh, i'm all of a dither! How is it possible to get all jittery over one chick, when millions are born every day of the week?

 

Thanks superjules for your earlier advice, I have left Dora well alone all day since my last post. Sorry to hear about your poor little bra chick Still, you did your best.

[The Bantam of the Opera]

awwww! yay for you, i've got 7 little peepers right now, hatched over 3 days. congrats on your little ball of fluff!

 

sorry, i don't have any advice to give, my girl sleeps alone.

although, i took her eggs out after three days, she seemed to lose interest, but before that she would get very angry if you took her eggs away.

your hen may want her decoy eggs for another few days cause she thinks they are going to hatch.

 

good luck with chick!