Chip, chip, cheep!

Today is day 21 of incubation. The theoretical 'hatching day' for chicks.  In reality we started hatching at day 18 and chicks have been emerging at regular intervals ever since.  As I type we have chicks in the process of emerging from their shells. It is such a long slow process so on advice I am trying not to look too often! Easier said than done.  I know some people make a point of going out on hatching day so they don't get too impatient. 

Something I didnt know before: When the chicks begin to hatch they still have the yolk attached to them.  They need to absorb it before they hatch completely.  One of the reasons why you shouldn't try to help a chick out of the egg.  It will come out when it is ready. 

Some of the early chicks were getting just a bit too impatient and rowdy after being in the incubator for 36 hours and were pecking at each other and the emerging chicks, so I took a risk and took them out.  So far so good and both the chicks in the brooder and eggs and chicks still in the incubator are doing well. The chicks in the brooder have now had a drink, have started eating and are much happier, having settled in under the heat lamp.  Not long and the rest will be joining them!