As you all know my first pair had a failed clutch of 5 eggs. But I had a second pair sitting on another set of 5 eggs. To my absolute delight, early this afternoon I heard this tiny little churp coming from the nest box and looked in to see the most precious little thing. Well I put the kids down for a nap and just went to the nest box again to see if the parents have been feeding the baby and got the shock of my life..... THERE WAS A SECOND BABY ALREADY!!! Is it common for two chicks to hatch within just hours of each other in the same day??????

 

Here's a picture.

 

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n400/ch...5a/DSCN4773.jpg

Congratulations, I can't answer your breeding question I know someone will though :rip:

Congratulations. It is quite common for the first 2 chicks to be born close together because often the hen doesn't start incubating the first egg until the second egg is laid

Congratulations. It is quite common for the first 2 chicks to be born close together because often the hen doesn't start incubating the first egg until the second egg is laid

okay, thanks guys. Either way I guess it was a pleasant surprise!!!

Congratulations. It is quite common for the first 2 chicks to be born close together because often the hen doesn't start incubating the first egg until the second egg is laid

okay, thanks guys. Either way I guess it was a pleasant surprise!!!

One other question I guess would be... should I expect another hatchling EVERY OTHER DAY now? And how often is too often to check on them? I don't want to scare off mom by looking in too much, but I'm excited for one and two I'm like a new mother all over again, just wanted to check all the time to make sure nothing has happened to them????

Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you. Neville is right... and as to when to expect the next one... it's hard to tell. Most likely, every second day, but you never really know. Once bubs arrive, I ALWAYS check morning and night, as this way you have hopefully able to avoid problems if they arise. When doing so, I tap softly on the door and then open it. She'll get used to you doing this and shouldn't mind to much. Also, make sure you remove the empty shells (if you haven't done already) as they can get stuck on the other eggs and make it hard for them to hatch.

Congratulations on your bubs!!!

Congrats Mate .. WHOOO HOOOO!

 

Yes every other Day - But you know what they say Nothing goes as planed ...

 

with the little newborns I like to check 3 times a day incase mum has issues feeding them and etc

Congrats Mate .. WHOOO HOOOO!

 

Yes every other Day - But you know what they say Nothing goes as planed ...

 

with the little newborns I like to check 3 times a day incase mum has issues feeding them and etc

 

Thanks. I am excited. The two hatchlings are doing well, mom is doing a wonderful job. I think if anything I might only get one more out of the three remaining eggs. One looks DIS, the other one looks like it might not be fertile at all and the last one is very solid with a clean line around the "air pocket". I try not to peek too much, but I am checking at least 3 times a day. One thing I wanted to ask is do the babies tend to cry out alot more at night or is it just that the house has quieted down and I notice it more?? Last night we were just sitting watching TV and I was nervous cause they were crying alot. I was expecting to find one or both of them dead this morning but they were both alive and well. I went and got the stuff needed for hand feeding just in case, but they seem to be doing well now.

 

I couldn't have done it without all the help from this site. Now if the other pair would just get busy.... that would be nice.

When the babies get older they get LOUDER!!!

 

It could be that the house is quieter and you can hear them more clearer -

okay, so as you know two chicks hatched on the same day (the 12th). I have had NOTHING happen since, so today i candled the remaining eggs and it looks like one is not fertile (just totally clear). Another one has a "floating mass" in it, maybe DIS??? and both of these eggs seem to be dark compared to the last egg which is pretty much white. I candled that egg and it looks like the bub has broken through into the air sack. I can see a wing, I think. I listened for pecking and churping and I can't hear anything and there are no cracks in the egg or pushed out marks.... SHOULD I HELP or LEAVE IT ALONE???? And if I know the other two eggs are not fertile at this point should I just get rid of them now or wait ???

Edited September 16, 200816 yr by chrissy0705

It dosen't hurt to leave the infertile eggs if you want.

Thanks to all on this. I now have a heavy heart. The third eggs I said I thought there was a baby in started to hatch last night and the mum riped off the part of the shell the baby had pushed off. The only thing is, this baby doesn't seem like it was ready. It is very small and seems "less developed" then the other two that have hatched. I left it be with mum all last night and all day today. I came home and the bub still was not fed. It looked weak and had very little movement. I pulled it out, warmed it up with my hands and breathe and my husband and I mixed up a batch of hand rearing formula and fed it once. We have placed it back with the mum and other chick (whom by the way are at least 3 or 4 times larger) and I'm hoping the mum will feed her too. If she does not feed her, how often do I need to feed a one day old chick and can I leave her in the nest box with mum if she doesn't feed her. Do I keep putting her back after she eats so as she gains strength she will be noticed and mum will feed her down the road???

Sorry to hear about this littler battler. I have no experience with hand rearing, but from what I've heard it's very hard to raise them from hatching. In my last clutch I had a chick get stuck in the egg and it also died. I agree, it is very hard and upsetting. Biggest hugs to you. I hope someone can give you more advice. Good luck

Libby is the expert here - perhaps send her a PM

 

Hope he makes it ((((Hugs))))

Thank you for the best wishes, I'm doing my best. I'm not going to keep my hopes up, but it's been 24 hours and she is still alive so, GOD WILLING, she will make it. I have given her a second feeding now and if I can at least keep her going until she gains a bit of strength to fight for herself, I'll be happy. I will keep you updated. Thank you again.

Deb raised Roxy from hatching could ask her and Libby

 

Fingers crossed mate - Libby did a post on crop milk and how to make that would be worth a shot!!!

Hens will feed the eldest baby first! as well so make sure that mum and dad have plenty of soft food

to help feed her young easier

Edited September 18, 200816 yr by **Liv**
typo "milk"

Deb raised Roxy from hatching could ask her and Libby

 

Fingers crossed mate - Libby did a post on crop milk and how to make that would be worth a shot!!!

Hens will feed the eldest baby first! as well so make sure that mum and dad have plenty of soft food

to help feed her young easier

 

 

I did speak to Libby on a PM and she was a great help (including the article you mentioned). I have a question about the soft food. Can I do the hard boiled egg and yogurt as the soft food or is that not good to be fed to the newborn? Or do you mean soft foods like carrots and greens? And you mean put this food right in the nest box with mum, right???

Softfood should be offered to parents feeding babies but NOT in the nestbox.

Edited September 18, 200816 yr by KAZ

Soft food is everything you mentioned

grated carrots, finely chopped vegies, soaked bread, boiled eggs, soaked seed etc etc etc

Thank you. I will get all this prepared first thing in the morning and get it right into them. They had a small plate of greens yesterday. Thank you again... I don't feel alone in this.

Newly hatched babies need feeding every 1.5 to 2 hours

Well I'm disheartened to report, despite my efforts, my little bub did not make it. :hap:

 

I found him in the nest box pushed off to the side on his back, flat as a board, empty crop and cold as ice. I tried to do the cupped hand and warm breathing, but it was too late I couldn't get him back.

 

I just wanted to thank all you for your help and advice. I did my best, but sometimes "your best just ain't good enough"...

 

On a brighter note the other two bubs are doing just fine. So at this point, out of two clutches totalling 10 eggs (between two hens) I only got two healthy babies. Six of the ten weren't even fertile, one was DIS (very very early in development), one hatched and died, and two have hatched and are thriving!!! Thank you all for everything and all you're help.

Sorry to hear that mate....

 

But good to hear the others are doing great :budgiedance:

Sorry mate... big hugs xoxo Best of luck with the other two! :budgiedance:

For the future and if you are ever in the same siutation, try not to let the chick go past half a day without intervention and feeding...step in and feed, leaving the chick in the nest for warmth.

Its hard to say why these things happen too, sometimes the parents "know" and other times they discard a perfectly good chick.

Edited September 19, 200816 yr by KAZ