DIY Brooder

This chick brooder was very easy to make. The hardest part was cutting the hole in the top. I used a box cutter to do it, I'm sure there has ti be a easier way but that's what I had. I used hubby's cordless drill to put several holes just big enough for a zip tie to fit through (I won't lie, I got lucky with the first bit I grabbed) I cut a piece of plastic poultry fencing a little bigger than the hole. I attached it to the lid with the zip ties.
I think this will be perfect for the quail when they hatch.
No more escapees :-)
Kitty made a big brooder for the Silkies, they are now 6 weeks old and have most of their feathers. They have so much room now.  It's still a bit cold here so they aren't going outside just yet.

The Longest Week

The chicks should hatch this coming Saturday!
Just 4 of the 12 are growing. (I did break 1 egg)  The 4 seem to be doing well, it's difficult to see much now when candling because the embryos are getting so big.
Wednesday is "lock down" day. The humidity will be increased, no more turning the eggs and no more candling. The chicks will begin to move to the wide end of the egg where the air sack is, and they will start pip.
The picture of the egg in the dish is from one that was fertilized but did not keep developing. I think it stoped around day 2 or 3.
The other picture is from today day 16.