Only one chick hatching from incubator

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
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Anonymous

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Hi,

After my introduction last night I have some news. It looks like one of my 6 eggs is going to hatch - but the other 5 dont look like they will. Any tips for what I should do with just one chick? Can I keep it in the incubator on its own? And how long can I keep it in there?

Many thanks
 
Until it's fully fluffed up or even up to about 12 hours is OK.
Put a small soft toy into the brooder box with it, under the heat lamp for it to have some 'company' or u can use a traditional mop head for it to cuddle into.
I am hopeful for you that more of your eggs will hatch as there is usually an early one or two. This has happened on my last two hatching this year and both early chicks have not had any probs.

One further thing - when your next one hatches, give it time to dry off as the older one will try and peck the shiny wet bits of feather and also it will chill really easily.
GL
 
Yes, probably just the start of the hatch = hopefully you will get some more.

Let us know what happens - I hope the chick doesn't end up being called Solo!

Tim
 
Hello all.

Thanks for tips GL and Tim. Despite my hopes, unfortunately all the other eggs were infertile. I candled them again tonight and they were clear so I gambled and broke open one of them and it was clear. So I broke the rest of them and they were all clear. Oh well - I've now got one little chick who is shouting really loud looking for his mum and I guess another chick - I bet he will be called Solo then Tim!! Have put in something for him to cuddle and have put in a few chick crumbs and some water. He's had some crumbs but no water yet - is that normal? When will he have a drink?

Will start collecting eggs from my hen again today and try again.

Thanks again for tips.
 
Chicks can take a little while to start drinking. You can hold their beaks under the water for a second or two. They will open their beaks and drink a very small amount. This shows them where the water is. Having said that though, I don't normally do this If I have lots of chicks as they seem to get the message soon enough and will see the others drinking.

Shame about the other eggs - but good detective work - I always think it's important to have a reasonable idea of why eggs don't hatch so you can make adjustments the next time you incubate if necessary, or in your case, tell your cockerel to get a move on :lol:

Tim
 
I use a saucer and sprinkle some chick crumbs in the water they go and have a look and peck and find the water works everytime for me. :D
 
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