Recent content by Yardmom

The 3 Silkies who shared a nest were joined by a 4th. They successfully hatched 4 chicks (out of 6) this weekend. One yellow with darker head spot. One with dark stripes. One with reddish lighter colored stripes. The forth is black and white similar to mottled chick color, but a bit...

Place the chicks where she can see them, but not touch. If she seems calm create a hole where chicks can go in and out but the hen can't. If that is not possible put clutter, so the chicks can hide from the hen if needed. It might not take long before she tolerates the chicks in her space.

If you were able to see and now it's dark without an air cell then unfortunately that sounds like a bad egg.

One possibility is that the eggs are not loosing enough moisture during incubation. This would cause the air sacks to not be large enough for the hatching progress. I personally would keep the humidity between 30-50 the first 21 days. If all the eggs are from the same duck genetics could also...

What is your humidity the first 21 days? Where are the eggs from? What type of ducks?

The weights are affected by the amount of moisture each egg is loosing. No veins is an indicator that the developing chick died. At almost 2 weeks you should be able to see the chicks moving inside the eggs. As far as the egg you can't see into, is it because the egg shell is to hard to see...

I think you probably understand that any duckling with Cayuga and Buff is mixed breed. They are definitely colorful ducklings. The color variety is great. I have gotten blue ducks in my mixed flock. Sometimes my ducklings look nothing like the parents. Good luck in your studying of the...

If the starter you are using is typically used for chicks it likely needs more niacin. Look over comments from Miss Lydia.

Starter is fine to feed to all chickens. I don't know about organic feeds, but here it is easier nonmedicated food than medicated.

I have not had any problems due to chicks eating layer. The Problem would be a build up overtime, so I personally don't worry about chicks getting some layer feed here and there. One bag shouldn't be a problem.

Lower ranking hens can sometimes be harsher to new comers than those higher in the pecking order. That being said your chicks will learn to escape from her if you leave them to it. Keep the fence with the hole and show them how to escape. Add more places to hide and let them go in and out of...

Many people put chicks in with older hens as soon as they do not require heat. Your chick does not need heat, but you need to make sure it doesn't get to warm. With a single chick you do need to be cautious when placing it with your older pullers as they might consider it an intruder. What...

Do you want the chicken to hatch the chicken eggs? If so remove all eggs not developing and use fencing to keep the duck away. The light from a cell phone when it is dark can help you figure out which eggs are developing. If you don't want chicks remove all the eggs and block off the nest.

At what age do you plan to take the chicks? The mom would likely ween by 6 weeks. If you are planning on pulling them when tiny make sure she is up moving around with them before removal?

Blue Silkie cross in standard coop has 4 chicks over a month old. Leghorn cross has 3 chicks about a month old. Small dark grey with white has neck issue.