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One cute chickie....why did the others die?

17 years ago

As you know this is my first go-round hatching from my flock. So far we have had 3 dead chicks, all with shells broken part of the way, like they were trying to hatch. I removed them from their shells for inspection, two seemed very healthy and ready, and one seemed like maybe the egg was accidently broken too early. Why would they die though?

Yesterday morning a very small silkie bantam egg had a little beak popping out, and I just happened to hear peeping. I watched it for a loooong while, and eventually it stopped peeping and looked lifeless. I have heard you are not supposed to help them out, but I figured since the others died in the shell, I'd see what the outcome was. So I pulled the shell off but left it attatched, and let it stretch and dry out under heat lamp. After a while he livened up a bit. Momma hen detatched him, and after resting up and drinking a small bit of sugar water, he crawled under her. He is literally no bigger than a cotton ball, and looks exactly like one. Cutest thing I've ever seen! He doesnt seem to care that he has two moms...just more warmth for him. Today he is exploring more, and looking very well.

There are 5 eggs left, but I cant see anyone else trying to come out. I candled them, got rid of a rotton one, but the others look and feel occupied still.

How long do I wait before I give up on them....or how long will momma hens wait?

And why did the others go full term and die halfway out of their shells, but the tiniest little bugger of all survived?

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Comments (6)

GennyM
17 years ago
I've heard that if a baby ostrich doesn't hatch out of the eggs fast enough after it starts to break the shell then the shell will harden and the baby won't be able to et out and will eventually die.. I wonder if that happens with chickens, too??

When my baby ducks were hatching I peeled off just a little of the eggs where their head was to encourage them to try to get out. They all 12 hatched out ok and were healthy.

What color is your little guy, what kind is he?

Genny...
victoria1
Original Author
17 years ago
Maybe thats what happened. I am new to hatching....I dunno I heard you are not supposed to help them for some reason but I was not about to see another one die halfway out. I wonder if they were under too much stress, etc.

The chick is a white silkie bantam, so he is a ball of white fluff, the size of a cotton ball. He is about 36 hours old and up and walking and eating now. Boy is he teenie though! He sits between his two moms like he knows hes special!
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GennyM
17 years ago
aahhh! he sounds adorable, I'm glad he is doing ok!
victoria1
Original Author
17 years ago
Well it sure is a good thing I decided to keep the eggs a bit longer....I was pleasantly suprised to find another cotton ball yesterday! At least now cotton ball #1 has a sibling in there with him. There are a couple of eggs left, so I will give it another day or two, just in case.
GennyM
17 years ago
Wow, that's great news! It's good he has a little frined now. I'd give the other eggs a little longer too, you might have some more hatch soon!
victoria1
Original Author
17 years ago
You were right....two more hatched last night! Yet another silkie bantam, and a yellow fuzzball with pink skin. Haven't figured out what kind yet. Thats four total. Ok, 2 eggs left that look promising....we shall see! Note to self: do not create different hatching dates among the same batch, again.

I still wonder why the first 3 died....?

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