The Poultry Keeper

Brahmagirl · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Devon, UK

Has anybody got any ideas what I should do for the best?

One of my new chicks (hatched this morning) has yolk sac protruding (about the size of a pea). Should I let it stay on in the incubator for a while (still 3 eggs to hatch) to see if it will get absorbed or should I despatch the chick? I can't seem to find any information about this.

I'd be grateful for any opinions.

Thanks, Jill.

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Hi Jill

I'd leave it in the incubator for a while longer

debcat · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 1:56 pm Post subject:

I'd leave it for a while,
I had a couple like this last year, both did fine

NannyP · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 1:57 pm Post subject:

It can stay in the Inc for up to 24 hours and this is probably the best place for it. I'm sure it'll be fine. Good Luck with the other 3 Very Happy

Brahmagirl · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Devon, UK

Thank you all for replying so quickly. He's just got another new buddy hatched! and 11 already in the brooder. Looks like it's going to 100% on this mixed bunch - which I only set to see if last year's new cockerels are fertile. They certainly are!

I'm way, way over the 50 birds now - if anyone is in Devon & would like some lovely new chicks......!

Thanks again, Jill

Knobby · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 2:17 pm Post subject:

Im no where near Devon, so get yer camera out and show us some chick pics please !!!! Very Happy

Brahmagirl · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Devon, UK

Doesn't look like there'll be any pics for a few days - as it seems that the camera has gone to Reading with OH to visit his Mum!

Knobby · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 4:03 pm Post subject:

No piccies !!! Shocked

Never mind.....keep us up to date on the little chookies progress ???

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

excellent news Brahmagirl ~ I'm with Knobby on this, please can we have pics as soon as you can?

NannyP · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:58 am Post subject:

How did the one with the unabsorbed yolk sac do? Confused

Brahmagirl · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Devon, UK

She's (I hope!) doing OK thanks NannyP. When I first put her in the brooder box the others pecked at the yellow colour for a bit and I thought it was going to be a disaster - but its changing to a blackish colour now (chick is black) so not so noticeable by the others - so I'm hoping it will gradually shrivel up and drop off. They are all doing really well (got 17 in the end) 2 had died in shell a few days before hatch was due. But not too bad as I had a job to stabilise the temp. in Oct.20 incubator this time (maybe due to colder time of year - we dont have central heating, just woodburners, so temps. in the house can vary quite a bit).

So moving on to 'problem of the day' now - fighting cockerels!! 2 fighting through wire yesterday before shutting in time - one suffered quite a bit of damage to his headgear - so had to wrap his head up in kitchen roll for a while & build a temporary coop in the kitchen last night! So I got a really early morning alarm call today (about 30 times!). He's up and raring to go again today but have shut him in an outside shed while I work out my next fencing move!

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I'm pleaed the chick is ok. There's never a dull moment for you, is there ~ good luck with the boys

NannyP · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 3:02 pm Post subject:

How many hens have you to share between cockerels?
It would seem a good idea to seperate for good, providing both with their own harem. Confused

Brahmagirl · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Devon, UK

I've got 7 cockerels - there are 4 large runs with 1 cockerel in each, each with his own group of ladies, and thats fine - but I am wanting to keep the other three boys (Barnevelders) as 'spares' in case of fox attack, illness, etc. (The aim being to have a good flock of Barnevelders from unrelated birds). So the 3 boys who are housed together are starting to get a bit frustrated now! They have a huge wired run with a 'no mans land of 3' between them and the next run to stop fighting with the (gorgeous) araucana cross cockerel who has ladies in the next run.

I have bought miles of that black ground cover stuff (to stop weeds growing) and painstakingly attached that to the wire so they cant see whats 'next door' but they still fly over and fight. Don't really want to clip wings - that will be a very last resort (I always feel that being able to fly may enable them to escape fox attack).

So, today I have cut loads of bamboo & have been out there for ages threading it onto the wire to make it look 'too high to fly'!!! I shall be testing it in a minute when I take out last nights 'scarface' & put him back in his run ready for bed!

We'll see......!!

NannyP · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 1:21 am Post subject:

Bet you they still find a way over Wink