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trystinnI am sitting here listening to the new chicks chirp away happily in their incubator. Three adorable little chicks greeted me when I got home tonight, two who look to have been out for ours and another still emerging from the 1/2 shell. Update: She's free and clear now!
There's additional pips and one with a sort of zipper zigzag going all the way around the egg, I expect that chick to make its appearance soon. Its hard to tell from the outside, but it looks like it may be the Frizzle eggs hatching right now.
For those curious about chicken genetics (and really, who isn't?) only 1/2 the Frizzle eggs will turn out to have Frizzled feathers, the rest will be Smoothly feathered but carry the Frizz gene.
Needless to say, this is big stuff around here. Gracie is besides herself with joy, she's been supervising and guarding the incubator, pushing me away since last night.
She knew. When I doubted, she knew. She's been restlessly walking back and forth between me and the incubator, giving me her "Mamma, there's chickies in there!" look. She's quite concerned.
Eggs belong in incubators, chicks belong in brooders. Silly Mamma, don't I know that? For those of you who don't know, having a Border Collie is a lot like living with a Hall Monitor. I keep promising her that they will be moved into the cozy brooder just as soon as they completely dry off. She's not reassured by that. She's more anxious about them than I am, and that takes some doing. I'm neurotic as all get out. That's my design, my incubator build, I would have hated to fail them. *sigh*
Unfortunately, as much as I may really want to pop those little fuzzy-wuzzies into the brooder, I need them in there. The sound of the chicks chirping motivates the others to begin hatching. They cheer each other on towards birth, something I find profoundly beautiful. Listen in:
Update: I probably set my back injury back a few days, but I have the brooder set up and toasting up to 99 or so. Once its warmed up and ready, we'll tuck the chicks in there to make room in the incubator and allow the more mature chicks to drink and eat.
There's additional pips and one with a sort of zipper zigzag going all the way around the egg, I expect that chick to make its appearance soon. Its hard to tell from the outside, but it looks like it may be the Frizzle eggs hatching right now.
For those curious about chicken genetics (and really, who isn't?) only 1/2 the Frizzle eggs will turn out to have Frizzled feathers, the rest will be Smoothly feathered but carry the Frizz gene.
Needless to say, this is big stuff around here. Gracie is besides herself with joy, she's been supervising and guarding the incubator, pushing me away since last night.
She knew. When I doubted, she knew. She's been restlessly walking back and forth between me and the incubator, giving me her "Mamma, there's chickies in there!" look. She's quite concerned.
Eggs belong in incubators, chicks belong in brooders. Silly Mamma, don't I know that? For those of you who don't know, having a Border Collie is a lot like living with a Hall Monitor. I keep promising her that they will be moved into the cozy brooder just as soon as they completely dry off. She's not reassured by that. She's more anxious about them than I am, and that takes some doing. I'm neurotic as all get out. That's my design, my incubator build, I would have hated to fail them. *sigh*
Unfortunately, as much as I may really want to pop those little fuzzy-wuzzies into the brooder, I need them in there. The sound of the chicks chirping motivates the others to begin hatching. They cheer each other on towards birth, something I find profoundly beautiful. Listen in:
Update: I probably set my back injury back a few days, but I have the brooder set up and toasting up to 99 or so. Once its warmed up and ready, we'll tuck the chicks in there to make room in the incubator and allow the more mature chicks to drink and eat.
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Date: 2010-11-02 03:33 am (UTC)The idea of them cheering their siblings towards birth is so warming. Love it.
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Date: 2010-11-02 12:53 pm (UTC)Don't you find it interesting that we both have hounds and herding dogs?
Welcome to the world, little chickies! (I feel like an honorary grandma!)
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Date: 2010-11-02 06:34 pm (UTC)Consider yourself Grandma, we'll get you on the holiday card list (once I get your mailing address, hint).
Got another one this morning, loading pics to the 'Net now.
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Date: 2010-11-02 03:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-02 06:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-04 12:24 pm (UTC)Wonderful post with lots of clickie piccies.