Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Emerging from the Eggs
Once the hatch begins, it's best not to disturb the process. At this point, keep the humid-
ity as high as possible in the incubator. Nearly all of the eggs should hatch within a few
hours of each other. In the wild, the mother oversees the hatching and quickly leaves the
nest with the entire brood in tow to lessen the risk of predation. During the hatch you
wil be able to see if your incubator was heating evenly and at the correct temperature: If
all the eggs hatch together, then your incubator is working great; if the hatch is spread
out, it indicates problems.
Wait until the hatch is complete, and then give the new arrivals 12 to 24 hours to dry
off and gain strength. You can then remove them to the brooding facility.
Remember that game birds are more active and harder to handle than domesticated
breeds. As a general rule, they do not bond with humans as easily as do domesticated
breeds. There are exceptions to this, and of course waterfowl adapt to people much faster
than do their dryland cousins.
Take care when holding and transferring these babies; holding them is not easy, as
they will want to jump. Transfer the babies to the brooder as quickly as possible. I usu-
ally gather and cup them in my hand, transferring that way.
Cup the baby firmly but softly in your hand when transferring it to the brooder.
WHAT CAUSES CANNIBALISM
AND FEATHER PICKING?
CAUSES OF FEATHER PICKING
Temperature too high, creating nervous, stressed birds
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