Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[LolaCola]

So, out if 12 brought eggs, I had just 3 left. Just candled them, and I think they have gone too unless I'm wrong, as this is my first hatch, they have moon shaped light areas that don't move and I can't see a heart beat anymore.

 

I candled them at 7 days and they were fine.

 

Now I think I have to Start again

[Purplemaniacs]

Oh no

 

What day had you got to? Have you switched the incy off now?

 

Chrissie

[LolaCola]

Got to day 13, I suppose it's for the best, wouldn't want to end up with a single chick and chances are the would have been male, and wouldn't have been able to keep them

 

I'm not giving up though! I will hatch some silkies! ........I hope

 

Emptied the incy, still have the poor eggs on the side, my daughter wants to open one, to see how far it's developed,

I'm not sure, it's all a bit upsetting, this has proved to me I would never make a good farmer!

[Purplemaniacs]

DD's boyfriend S who is more knowledgable about hatching than I am was keen to open the egg that had died when we candled ours at day 10, I wasn't keen and DD defintely wasn't but he did and I have to say I thought it was amazing, I thought it would smell but it didn't S has had expereince of reptiles not chooks but knew what he was looking for when he candled the eggs but now I know what to expect.

 

I suppose it depends on how old your daughter is and how she copes with things

 

Having read about hatching eggs on the forum it seems it is vital to find a reliable supplier of eggs. I have hatched twice now, once with eggs from an expert omleteer and then eggs from my friend after she had lost girls to the fox, she had the resulting chicks back to increase her flock.

 

And I have just put some more eggs in the incy, I will start a new post about those. Took some boys back and came home with some eggs

 

Don't give up, just be careful about where you get eggs from. Hatching is brilliant but also a worry at times.

 

Good luck

 

Chrissie

[mimi5]

Oh that's really sad!!! What an unfortunate first experience!!!! You did all you could with a bad lot, so don't blame yourself!!!!!

 

I don't know lots about hatching as I only hatched for the first time this year and I used broody hens, but might it be getting a bit late for hatching??Somebody here is bound to know better than me!!!! The weather is feeling a little autumnal morning and evening. Have you considered getting chicks or older growers??? Hatching can be a lottery (I had a chick die day 3, have no idea why ) and if you got chicks you wouldn't have to wait!!! Just a thought.

 

Best wishes whatever you decide!!!

[Purplemaniacs]

I don't know lots about hatching as I only hatched for the first time this year and I used broody hens, but might it be getting a bit late for hatching??Somebody here is bound to know better than me!!!!

I wondered that but I was reassured by a very expeienced omleteer that it was ok as the days would still be light enough for the chicks to grow strongly. Hence the eggs I got on Monday

 

Chrissie

[LolaCola]

Mimi, I was worried that that was the case, but it's reassuring I stil have time, only been trying to hatch since Easter

Does seem as though I'm fighting a losing battle here!

 

I have contacted the seller that sold me my hybrid chicks and incy that was supposed to send with eggs, and she is willing to send me some silkies eggs on Monday, but she seems to be avoiding my questions about her silkies, so I am a bit weary

 

It would be simpler to buy a couple of pullets, but financially, an option

 

We opened one egg, was amazing! But also so very sad, perfectly formed little chick, even had a few wisps of what looked like white fluff. Poor little thing my daughter (12) was very matter of fact about it all, but when my son (5) found out we cracked the egg, he thought we had killed it, and cried himself to sleep have managed to convince him it died because of the bad egg germs, so we had to bury it, and he named it Kevin. Makes you realise how fragile life is

 

On a brighter note, what are you hatching Chrissie? When are the due to hatch?

[Purplemaniacs]

On a brighter note, what are you hatching Chrissie? When are the due to hatch?

 

I have started a new post here

 

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=89457

 

Chrissie

[mimi5]

I am an N.N.E.B and being honest with children about death can be a good experience and helps children not to be fearful of it. Especially when parents can be there and explain. Well done for burying Kevin, life is precious, not matter how short.

 

I'm a nanny for 4 children and a little while back one of my pekin girls died at the weekend and I was telling everyone when I got to work. One of the boys was full of questions (they don't have any pets) his mum and dad were horrified as he was quiet blunt but I was happy to answer his questions and talk about my sadness!!!

 

Here's hoping you have more success this time!!!!! If you ever fancy hatching pekins I would happily send you some of my eggs!! So far the 4 I hatched were 100% and my friend Cheryl had 6 recently, which all hatched last weekend!!!!(just hoping she doesn't get too many boys!!!!! Out of my 4 ,3 were boys....beautiful boys though!!!! )

 

Keep us posted!!!

[LolaCola]

Thanks for the offer Mimi, so kind of you but I'm going to go with the silkie eggs the incy seller owes me, she is sending them on Monday. I've warned my son, that this is something that may happen again, not all the eggs will hatch and death is a unfortunate part of chicken keeping and he still wants to go ahead with it. You right Mimi, the earlier children learn about death, the better it is for them.

 

I think if this is successful, I'm going to try or pekins next year

I've got my hybrids for eggs, but would love a coop full of verious bantams, I'm well and truly addicted

[mimi5]

Oh You've definitely got a bad case of morehens!!!

 

But seriously all the best for your next hatch!!!!!! Let me know if you fancy pekin eggs next year!!!

 

Oh and please keep us posted......pics if your able "pretty please!"

[LolaCola]

Thanks Mimi, I like the idea of your super eggs

 

Will keep you posted, a little bunndle of fluff or two will make the past few weeks worth it, I promise photos IF I get some chicks this time AND If I figure out how to post photos Lol

 

I've just told DP I have it on very good authority I have an official condition that means he has to give in to my chicken demands

 

He said that's fine. As long as I give up any hopes of ducks and geese