first attempt at hatching

well, we went ahead and hatched some chicks, but it has not been the happy event we hoped for (although, from what I have read, this seems typical for a first hatching).

From 12 eggs (mix of Bantams - L. Sussex, Buff Orpington and Pekins) we had 8 hatch, 3 light sussex, 2 Buffs and 3 pekins.

3 light sussex all had to be dispatched, as all very sickly.

and just when I thought things were looking up, as the last 5 seemed to be thriving, one pekin has got a bad knee joint (is this also called the hock?). It can't put any weight on it and it looks a bit swollen, it sort of hops around the brooder. In all other respects it is fine, quite strong and still eating/drinking.  It seems odd as it was fine 2 days ago....I don't know if I am being cruel to let it carry on, or if it just needs time to get better.

Any advice much appreciated, it is one thing to dispatch an obviously sick and almost lifeless thing, than one that except for this "injury" seems healthy. 



thanks  Colette x

Sorry your first hatching has been so fraught and you're right, seems to happen to a lot of us. Mine was horrible. I only had a 3 egg incubator and they all died in shell. I cried for a whole day!

As to the chick with a funny hock, I seem to remember someone (think it was Ruff) having a similar problem and it was a slipped tendon. If this is the case it needs replacing sooner rather than later. Sorry not to be more help. Will have a look round to see if I can find it. Ruff is probably drowning his sorrows as his pigs went to the butcher today!

I had ACHILLES TENDON OUT OF THE GROOVE on one of my chicks.
http://www.peafowl.org/ARTICLES/1/


Pigs did not go as they would not load.    Trying again on Monday.