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

[Saronne]

It's hatch day today and since last nite I've heard 'cheeping' coming from the incubator! (Can you tell I'm new at this? ) This morning, I peered carefully through the plastic incubator top and could see 3 eggs with tiny cracks (17 eggs in incubator). I get the feeling their 'coming out' could take a long time and I must be patient. Am I right?

I've read lots and lots and know not to interfere, etc. but anymore general advice is welcome. I'm soooo excited - It feels like Christmas!

 

Update: First one hatched - very noisy little thing! 5 others have 'pipped' is that the right word to use when you see the first little crack in the egg??

Edited August 23, 2009 by Guest

[Redwing]

Thats ace, congratulations

 

The pipping and unzipping process can take 24 hours but you will probably have some out by tea time

 

Avoid opening the lid too many times as you say

 

The first one to hatch will raise the humidity nicely, leave them in there till they are dry and then remove them, if you get one that is really clanging about in there then you can take them out earlier but it will take a while to fluff up which can't be good for it. I always think that the activity of the hatched ones is good motivation for the unhatched ones but have taken a few out early because they were causing problems

 

if space is tight wait for a few to hatch then quckly whip out the empty shells as they will allow more room for others to hatch

 

Pull up a chair and watch the show

[Saronne]

Thanks, Tasha

 

Question:

Someone said that if I opened the lid to retrieve any fully hatched 'fluffy' chicks it would interfere with the humidity levels and compromise the 'still-zipped.' Is there any truth in that?

 

Saronne x

[Redwing]

I believe there is yes, the membrane in the egg can dry out quite quickly and if it gets leathery the chick will have a hard time breaking through, thats why waiting a while to recover a few at a time is better, some people wait for all the eggs to hatch before taking the chicks out but I feel this could be a bit impractical as the first hatched chicks get really active

 

When the chick hatches it can survive for a day at least with no food and water so don't be worried if you do choose to leave them all in there

 

Personally I have opened the lid during a hatch a few times to take chicks and broken shells out but I wouldnt open the top un-necessarily

[Saronne]

The hatch is going well...after a slow start, they're now coming out PDQ.

 

11 safely out and another 3 are gradually unzipping as I type (17 eggs in total). Tasha, I took your advice and removed some eggshells after the 7th chick hatched (they were clattering around like ping-pong balls! ) I see what you mean about active chicks, sounds like they're tap-dancing or playing table tennis!

 

Saronne x

[Lewis]

Great news

 

 

Where are the photos?

[Saronne]

Will do when they're out of the incubator (probably this evening). The plastic lid is blue, so visibility isn't great...

 

 

Saronne x

[Raina]

Congrats on the

 

can't wait for pics

[Saronne]

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/garethness/3852045601/in/set-72157622005661127/

 

Meet the new babies!

[tom123]

They are soooo cute What breed are they all?

 

Good Luck

Tom

[Saronne]

Thanks, Tom

 

The little yellow one is some sort of white bantam, and there are some Legbars and Columbines. I know Columbines are hybrids, but can you autosex them like the Legbars?

 

 

Saronne

[Lewis]

Awwwwwwwwwwwww

 

I don't think you can autosex them, may be wrong though

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Gooooorgeouuuuus

 

I want some more babies

 

Sha x

[Griffin]

As far as I know all of the commercial hybrids are autosexing, thus enabling the disposal of the non-profit making boys at a day old.

 

They're all very cute

[Snowy]

Adorable!!!!

[Saronne]

Thanks everyone.

 

Number 12 hatched and is still in the incubator. It's dragging half its shell around with the umbilical cord attached (a bit like a ball and chain! ) the chick is otherwise strong and I see no blood, protrusions, etc. Will the cord just dry up and break away from the shell on its own? I will not interfere unless someone more experienced says I should....help!

 

 

Saronne x

[Lewis]

Not really sure what to suggest

You're probably right to leave it well alone to dry up

[WitchHazel]

What gorgeous chicks! Well done you!

[Saronne]

Thank you!

 

 

Saronne xx