Tomorrow was supposed to be hatching day, but last night I heard the faint sound of chick peeps coming from the incubator. Not sure if I didn’t write down the correct date (I marked it down on the calendar after the fact because family was in and I forgot in the mayhem) or if I had the temps up higher than normal or what.
Regardless of the reasoning for the miscalculation, last night three eggs had pipped and were cheeping at me. This morning I woke up to the much louder peeping and three chicks. This afternoon has us up to twelve fuzzballs and three pipping. That is what it’s called when they just start breaking the shell, isn’t it?? Somebody please tell me if I’m wrong so I don’t go around making a fool of myself. As if that would take much effort on my part.
Not sure what I was thinking, could be that I haven’t been thinking, but I don’t even have the chick section of the barn cleaned out yet. I’ve got the feeders, waterers and feed all ready, but no place to put the chicks yet. Good thing I can keep them in the incubator for a little while longer while I get my butt outside and clean out their stall.
In the 103.6 degree heat.
At least I won’t have to keep a heat lamp on them during the day .
Although I may have to set up a swimming pool or miniature A/C unit for them.
Sooo cute! Hope all the others hatch out okay!
ReplyDeleteThey are so cute! We have a broody hen on 9 eggs and day 21 is Sunday. Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteLamb; thirteen fuzzed out, two pipping still, but lost one :(. It had pipped but didn't make it out of the shell. Bummer to have made it that far & then not make it. Still have two more that have poked holes in shells & four that I'm not sure of.
ReplyDeleteLeigh; good luck on your broody! I wish I didn't have to resort to the incubator, but my luck with broodies isn't the best.
Congrats on the new babies. You sure won't need heat for them, except at night? I have never raised them in this kind of weather.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind are they?
Our temps are near 100 for the next week so I'm hoping to keep the heat lamp on them only at night. If they start huddling together I'll turn it on during the day, but I doubt it will be needed. I've never raised chicks in the summer either so we'll see how it goes.
ReplyDeleteThey are a barnyard mix; rooster is a Black Australop (sp?) and the hens are Easter Eggers, Australop and Barred Rocks. All the chicks are either all black or black with white wing tips, white bums & white spot on their head, some have yellow legs, some have black legs.
They are adorable - at least you won't have to worry about cold drafts, although, at that age they don't take well to any drafts. Be sure to give them a small, secure space. Good luck with your little brood!
ReplyDelete