I have a egg due to hatch. Yesterday afternoon I noticed the first crack and another small one this morning in the shell but it stll hasn't hatched. There are peeps from the egg, should I leave it or does it need help? My others didn't take this long to hatch from first crack.

I would help it....its taking far too long and the chick may well die in the attempt to free itself.

thanks Kaz, I got it out nice and healthy but mum abandoned the eggs last night and i was hoping once it hatched she would show interest but now wont go near the box and is sitting as far away as possible

I hope you have a foster parent

Hi Nadene, Is mum feeding new chick or do you have to hand rear? Good luck either way. It's seems to be a" funny season" this time. l.o.l.

Hi Robyn, No it's just me. I'm trying my best. I couldn't believe Iv'e just ordered a incubator that can be used as a brooder but it hasn't turned up yet. So this is how I'm keeping it warm with a mini heat bag, the sleeve of a warm baby jumper and a stuffed dog (not ideal but it seems to be working). At least i can take it with me, it slept next to me last night and is with me now at the computer. I was lucky I already had some neocare.

 

 

 

 

Finger and toes crossed. It seems happy, healthy and loud so far.

 

I hope all is well with your birds

Hope little one thrives for you Nadene, are you trying to hatch out rest of eggs? looking at your picture you can see them. How long before they are due?I hope your incubator turns up asap.fingers crossed.

 

 

Just found a couple of splayed legs in nest, Mum is heavy spangle, I think that's the problem older chicks are splayed, so far 4 little ones (including Anzac / aka "digger") seem okay

maybe because the bigger ones are stopping her sitting so tight.

 

Out with pipe cleaners, I tried little hair rings but hen pulls them off.

I'm just using the eggs to prop it up like it would in the box, they were addled. I think the problem was she layed the eggs and then went into a heavy moult. The box is full of feathers and she has pin feathers all over. It's been tough, I think this crazy weather has something to do with everything happening.

 

Sorry about the splayed legs I hope you can fix them.

Well done Nadene !!!!!

Devastated to say the baby died today It aspirated. Feeling very sad and guilty that I should have done something different

Edited May 6, 201213 yr by Nadene

So sorry you lost the little one Nadene. You did all you could in an urgent situation. It's all a learning exercise isn't it.