Chucksandducks
In the Brooder
- Jun 4, 2021
- 6
- 12
- 44
I am a great believer in if I don't try they're going to die anyway, so what do I have to lose? Last Tuesday our baby momma became really listless, her wattle was almost white and she abandoned her 8 eggs. (She has since recovered with a little TLC) She was 16 days in. We don't have an incubator we always let the Mums hatch if possible but we do have a brooder. The eggs were stone cold and had been left for 18 hours. I warmed the brooder up and popped them under with a very rudimentary cardboard box arrangement to keep the heat in. The eggs were on an old piece of fleece jumper and a wet cloth in the corner for humidity. Then I prayed my heart out. On Friday egg 1 pipped. It was very weak so I did an assisted hatch. She died the next day. Then on Sunday 4 hatched whilst we were at Church! I looked after them until one of our other Mums (Violet) hatched just 1 egg on Wednesday, so we took her out quickly, took away the dud eggs and slipped in 4 babies! Good job chickens can't count! Unfortunately 1 more died but up to now we are good! Mum and babies are doing amazing! I would not recommend this to anyone, but desperate measures needed, a bit of common sense and I read everything there was to read and we've had chickens for 4 years so I did feel I might be able to help along with a lot of prayers and God's grace!
