Hatching in May

[Bettacreek]

Honestly, in my experience, I've found that you have better success with helping chicks hatch SOONER rather than later. If I see one struggling, I don't wait, I get in there and help it. I've done this with everything down to button quail, and I've never had a weak chick hatch... All survived to adulthood and were just as strong and healthy as the natural hatchers. After hatching for awhile, you learn when chicks just aren't going to make it out on their own, and you start stepping in sooner, and end up with much better results.

 

[Cindlady2]

I have not actually seen it, but I was told by an "old pro" that sometimes a hen will help a chick by pecking at the shell a bit. So if you incubate... your the helpful hen.

 

[rhoda_bruce]

I don't mind helping, but my first concern is for the bloodvessels I'll be tearing into. If I see they still haven't all be absorbed into the chick, I stop, wet the chick and put them back to cook a little longer. I have pulled out a few real quick, blood and all, but forgot why I was doing it. If I think I need to do that, I might save them, just like I might not.
DS did my outside chores yesterday and told me I lost another chick. I will be doing my feeding in just a second and putting the keets with the chicks. I only helped one keet. Thinking the goslings should start peeping now.

 

[Avalon1984]

Funny you should say that! I haven't lost any birds int he last few months except for May, I lost 3 to various causes. I don't know when they were hatched though. Very interesting!

 

[rhoda_bruce]

I have had to hear about it most of my life and now I think my mother has my son convinced that nothing is to hatch in May. He is trying to convince me that everything little will die. His French pronouncement of the words are perfect, so I know he has been to see his grandparents. I can't avoid a May hatch. I have to put the eggs in, when I have them. Sorry if I lose a few. No hatch in May, means I have to just eat all the eggs in April. I'm not saying "No" to goose and guinea eggs. Thats too valueable a hatch.