Last batch of hatching result and a cross beak chick

Every batch of hatchings is full of surprises. I have the best hatch rate so far – 36 out of 48 fertile eggs (75%).  Actually it should have been 37 but one died within 48 hours of hatching.  This is the 3^rd and last batch of the season.  Ironic that I somewhat ‘neglected’ them this time.  I didn’t do the 2^nd candling on time.  And I didn’t help in hatching at all yet I have the best hatch rate so far.  I let nature take its course completely.  I really feel for the weak ones that cannot hatch themselves.  There was one that died while it was almost out of the shell.  I wish I helped crack the egg but I think it was best I didn’t because it would have been a weak chicken in the end. 

Just because I love statistics, I have to show my hatch rate analysis :)

Line
A	Eggs set	48
B	Not fertile	0
C	Dead at first candling	1
D	Dead at second candling	2
E	Full-term, failed to pip	4
F	Pipped, failed to hatch	5
G	Total lost = B+C+D+E+F	12
H	Total hatched = A-G	36
I	Percent hatched = H x 100/A	75
J	Percent of fertiles hatched = H x 100 / (A-B)	75

Unfortunately, one chick has cross beak (or scissor beak) and has only 1 eye (his right side). I noticed it the moment it came out of its shell.  Based on what I’ve read on the internet, it is a genetic deformity.  I wanted to cull it right away because it can be passed down to future generations but I just can’t.  It seems to be able to eat and drink and preens on its own.  But it's unsightly and looks freaky.  Here's the video and a few pics.

Sweaty – our chicken cat

Our first born chick hatched 36 hours too early desperate for his mother. It would chirp incessantly unless I was there.  I didn’t know what to do.  I was at a loss because I could not be at its side all the time but when I wasn’t there it would just chirp looking for me. 

So I hired a babysitter in a form of a [drum roll…] cat who seemed only too anxious to baby sit the newly hatched chick, and no, not for the reason you’re thinking.  You see he had been abandoned as a very young kitten when his then pregnant mother was dropped off at the side of the road and shortly after he was born, the mother was killed by a coyote.  

He (Sweaty) was alone but we had chickens in the backyard and within a short time he was sleeping with the chickens.  I think he grew to think of them as his parents.  As a matter of fact, he became so used to being around chickens that my husband caught him pecking at the ground with his head bobbing up and down as you would see a chicken. Although Sweaty to this day will eat mice and frogs and all sorts of bugs, he still considers chickens his brothers and sisters.  The chicks love his big bushy tail!

Enjoy the videos below.

Cute chicks and one that needs physical therapy

The chicks that hatched last weekend are growing fast. Each one has its own personality already.  Here’s just a few pics of them. These were taken when they were just one day old.

One side of its nose is black and the other side isn’t.

Unfortunately, in every hatch there’s always a weak one.  This particular chick has a splayed leg.  Luckily it’s not severe.  I noticed it when it was around 3 days old.  Its left leg does not have the strength to support itself upright that it sways slightly sideways.  Untreated it may cause more discomfort and will become permanently unable to walk.  So I went search online to find ways to treat this.

At first I tried using a straw with rubber band inserted through it just like this video I took.  But I noticed it prevents the chick from moving its legs closer together because the straw is stiff.

So I tried using a band-aid which is much better because it allows more freedom in the leg movement.  So far he/she is progressing well and is able to walk and run in the brooder.  I just hope that the recovery will go smoothly.

Now I’m becoming a PPT (Poultry Physical Therapist) haha.

On another note here’s a video of my flock while I was feeding them some scrambled eggs and tofu (yes you heard that right). They're always expecting some treats!

Training Louie to put away trash....

Training Louie to put away trash....enjoy!