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ok, operation rescue the silkie eggs... mehgalegs, norks et al... i need your help re hatching these aggs.

6 replies

RuffleTheAnimal · 30/07/2008 13:39

so the 'broody' hen is no longer broody it would seem. shes having none of it. what do i do to keep them alive for now? i have an aga... [bloody clueless]

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OldGregg · 30/07/2008 14:08

How many days has she been sitting?

How long has she been off the eggs? If she's back on within an hour they'll probably be OK (it's supposed to be 30 minutes but as it's an emergency...!).

If it's longer than that you could keep them on the aga whilst you switch on an incubator. If you don't have an incy then I there isn't much hope. If she's been sitting for over 2 weeks, it might be worth leaving them on the back of the aga, perhaps with a damp cloth over the top for moisture. You needn't turn them if they're over 2 weeks either.

(Tis norks btw)!

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OldGregg · 30/07/2008 14:37

Did I see on mehga's thread that she only sat down this morning? If she was on for less than an hour they probably didn't heat up enough to get going.

Put them back in a cool place whilst you sort out an incubator, the eggs will need to be turned over once a day until they go in the incy.

The hatched chicks can be kept in any sort of box as long as there is room for a heat source, a bit of space away from the heat, and a little drinker & chick feeder. Mine went in a hard shell paddling pool until they were big enough to try jumping out, then they went in a small cheap coop. I have some others in a rabbit hutch!

Good luck!

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RuffleTheAnimal · 30/07/2008 17:01

agh! why didnt i read this...

right, no they didnt warm up at all... so i have just put them into a fabric lined basket, with a damp teatowel under them for moisture and spare aga covers tucked on top to keep em cosy, to warm em up. i figured they needed to be warm... i plan to turn once a day... will this work? or should i get an incy?
have made steps to clearing out an old stable in the barn for purposes of incubating and housing chicks... dp will roll eyes and protest, mind (wink])

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RuffleTheAnimal · 30/07/2008 17:03

they are beginning to warm but arent really yet ... do i keep em cool? or warm? agh

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RuffleTheAnimal · 30/07/2008 19:03

k. they are warm now. v warm... hope they arent cooking in there [oo-er alarmed face]!

'broody' hen appears to be over it. just my luck!
will see if she sits on tomorrows eggs then try a switch and leave her in the cube nest, since thats where she seems happy...

in the meantime, im still clearing stable and ordering and incy...

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RuffleTheAnimal · 31/07/2008 23:35

Peg is back sitting on the eggs, after they spent a night on the aga in their moist basket. no idea if they have even made it this far, but i guess only time will tell, eh? in the meantime, i guess i just keep extracting the new eggs as they are laid (easily told apart as theyre browner and bigger)