Peep, Crack! ~ Hello . . .

Twenty one days ago we placed the eggs we had been saving to hatch into the incubator. (see Crazy.) Lon thought he was hearing things when on Monday night he heard peeping in the laundry room. But not so, as a quick check of the incubator told us the time was getting near. Peeping could be heard through the shells signaling that the time we had been waiting for was upon us. Just as if you had rung the starting bell, they began to hatch like clock work. We saw 3 peck their way to the daylight yesterday. Eight more new faces greeted me this morning. Looking into the incubator's window I could see 4 more trying to break free. Lon was working an extra shift, so frequent calls were made between us to report the progress of our peeps. We were like anxious parents awaiting the birth of multiples. Waiting to see how many of what we were going to get. Whether Rhode Island Red chicks or Black Sex Link. There was even a different twist in that the Black Sex Link chicks are born with specific coloration's that lets you know how many pullets or cockerels you have, hence their name. The tote board changed throughout the day with each new chick making it's appearance into the world.

We had already placed the Freedom Rangers in the B&B brooder days ago. They were growing so fast that they would need to be moved to the floor area, to make room for the new arrivals. So in between hatching, I set up their feed, water and a heat lamp to continue keeping them warm until they fully feather out.

Placing the newly hatchlings in a brooder tub under a heat lamp till I had their comfy home set up just for them. We needed to clean out the large brooder box before putting the new ones in. They are susceptible to several illnesses when first born. Clean shavings is a must, along with sanitized feeder and waterers.

We are quite pleased with the hatch, gaining 33 out of the 43 eggs incubated, a good hatch rate. I hate to throw away eggs, but know that if they don't hatch soon. There are not viable chicks inside. I always wait till the last minute before deciding that they need to be tossed. We had only one to die after being born, not sure why.

Final count is 22 Rhode Island Reds and a tie between the Black Sex Links, with 5 future hens and 5 future roosters. You can probably guess the fate of the roosters, as they can't reproduce themselves. Black Sex Link chicks are made from breeding 2 different breeds of chickens. Having to be mated as such to continue their species.

Enjoying the sounds of cracking & peeping,

Deborah