Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[craftyhunnypie]

I am so very excited about these. The eggs have 7 days to go after tonight. At candling - 5 out of 6 were fertile. Hubby has wanted these for so long. After seeing some near Craven Arms, Shropshire. We already have a standard sized Ancona & she is totally nuts - always has been the comedy chook. We call her Annie or spotty dotty - others call her Flopsy because of her hilarious comb.

Oooo excitement!

Emma.x

[Purplemaniacs]

How exciting.

 

I hatched two in my mixed bantam hatch, one was a boy, he pecked me everytime I put water or food in their cage. The other one I am pretty sure is a girl, not sure if I will keep her as I have more bantams than I have room for, she is very pretty.

 

Chrissie

[craftyhunnypie]

The eggs stop turning tonight. It's day 18 at approximately 7pm. Egg number 3 has been wobbling already. I've hatched absolutely loads, but it still excites me. Sometimes gruesome, sometimes it makes you cry - but it is so very rewarding when a healthy little chick grows up to be a beautiful hen / cockerel.

Emma.x

[Redwing]

I love Ancona bantams, they are not as popular as they should be in the 'garden/pet' bird market but you always see good line ups at the shows. Lovely characterful and productive birds

[craftyhunnypie]

These are just for us - well hubby really - as he has always wanted some. The eggs haven't wobbled today - building up strength ready for hatch.

Emma.x

[craftyhunnypie]

I have a chick! It's still fluffing up, but it is so tiny & cute! 3 more eggs have pipped, 2 of which are making good progress.

I've named the chick Humbug!

Emma.x

[Purplemaniacs]

Great news, it is so exciting watching them hatch

 

Chrissie

[craftyhunnypie]

I'm absolutely thrilled! I had 5 out of 6 eggs fertile & I've got all 5 now hatched! All on their own, no messing & all peferfect feet, bottoms & navels! I am so pleased.

They are called...

Humbug, Magpie, Magic, Minstrel & Zebra. All a black & white theme.

I will get a group photo tomorrow of them all, as they are all very tired tonight.

Emma.x

[mollyripkim]

Oh Congrulations, glad they have hatched safely and look forward to seeing the pics.

[Mrs_B]

Ahh that's fantastic!

 

Can't wait to see the photos of the new arrivals

 

x

[craftyhunnypie]

Yesterday - just as I was about to go out. I noticed one chick had something hanging from it. It looked like a poo, so I picked it up & inspected. On further inspection it wasn't poo, but something hanging from its navel, but the chick still running round. It was pinky & we wondered what it was. Hubby said it looked like a sort of umbilical cord / remainder of the egg sack. It didn't look nice.

We thought perhaps it would dry up & drop off. So we went out.

When we came back, we found the poor little chick dead & its navel had totally erupted with lots of its inners hanging out. I have never experienced this before in hatching & I have hatched a lot! The other 4 chicks are fine. It truly upset me & I was quite down last night.

What could this have been? Under development? The eggs were not mine own, they were bought in & were good eggs, good fertility & good hatch rate. Sadly this little chickie wasn't meant to be.

Emma.x

[Purplemaniacs]

Oh dear I am sorry to hear that Emma, it must have been an awful shock. No wonder you were upset.

 

I know this happens sometimes but I thought it was from hatch did not know that it could happen afterwards.

 

Chicks are lovely and I did enjoy the experience but they are a worry.

 

One of my litle pekins died at about 9 weeks she was fine when I got home from school but when I went out a couple of hours later it was dead in the run, it was such a shock.

 

Enjoy your remaining chicks.

 

Chrissie

[craftyhunnypie]

After a few years of having chickens, hatching etc, we have come to realise that from one day to the next - you never know how many chickens you will have. They can be running around one day & in chook heaven the next.

But nothing would ever put me off hatching or keeping them. They give so much back - eggs & mainly entertainment.

Forget happy pills....get chickens!!!

Emma.x

[Mrs_B]

So sorry to hear about your chick - must have been so awful for you to experience

 

Hope your other little chooks are all OK and grow into healthy girls!

 

x