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I keep murdering my chicks!! - Page 2

post #11 of 23
5/21/12 at 7:25pm

Don't beat yourself up. I just wasted a whole bunch of eggs during lockdown because the humidity soared to 86% unchecked. I opened mine up too and found them all swimming in "ectoplasma". It's aggravating, but it's a learning experience. hugs.gif

Chickens, I need more chickens.... and ducks too, yeah some ducks too!

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Chickens, I need more chickens.... and ducks too, yeah some ducks too!

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post #12 of 23
5/21/12 at 7:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommissan View Post

Don't beat yourself up. I just wasted a whole bunch of eggs during lockdown because the humidity soared to 86% unchecked. I opened mine up too and found them all swimming in "ectoplasma". It's aggravating, but it's a learning experience. hugs.gif

Thank you for the kind words.  I hate losing babies.  I have some eggs to steal from my broodies and another batch in the LG due for lockdown in 7 days.  Hopefully it will be a better 2 weeks!

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post #13 of 23
5/21/12 at 7:38pm

Soon, you shall be a "master" at hatching! 

 

Can't wait to hear how it goes. I bought a cheap pen type thermometer/hygrometer. It really helped.... when I checked it....hmm.png

Chickens, I need more chickens.... and ducks too, yeah some ducks too!

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Chickens, I need more chickens.... and ducks too, yeah some ducks too!

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post #14 of 23
5/21/12 at 7:39pm

Some folks add only a little bit of water at lockdown because as soon as the first chick hatches, humidity goes up on its own. I recommend a hygrometer.

I live with my partner and our daughter in the foothills of NC. We LOVE our critters!
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I live with my partner and our daughter in the foothills of NC. We LOVE our critters!
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post #15 of 23
5/21/12 at 7:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nurse_turtle View Post

I recommend using the hovabator at an incubator and the LG as the hatcher. I use dry incubation as well. It sounds like your doing everything right. I would get a dial type hygrometer and calibrate your thermometer. There are several threads here that describe how to do this.

I think I will use this advice, to be on the safer side for the next ones.  I will swap them out as the LG takes less water over all.  Here we go again!

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post #16 of 23
5/21/12 at 7:52pm

May have been mentioned and I missed it But what about too dry incubation.If your doing it in a heated house air can be very dry.Causing super dry conditions in the Inc...Just a Thought...cva34

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post #17 of 23
5/21/12 at 8:00pm
Thread Starter 

I live in Michigan and I am pretty sure there is some humidity, I just don't have added sources.  My heat is not on in the house and chips go stale overnight so I am thinking it must not be too low.

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post #18 of 23
5/21/12 at 9:02pm

Have you been keeping track of their aircells? On day 7 I candle and trace the airsac with a pencil. On day 14 I candle and trace around the new line of airsac. On day 18 check again then you have an idea if its where it needs to be.

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post #19 of 23
5/22/12 at 9:08am
Thread Starter 

Actually I am not familiar with what the air sac should look like but I am going to start checking that.  I was reading about other poultry eggs and marking the air sac so I will do this with my chicken eggs while candling.  

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post #20 of 23
5/22/12 at 9:11am

I have a heck of a time hatching as well, I've set my incubator 3 times with more then 2 dozen eggs each time and have only successfully hatched 3 eggs :(

 

Right now I have two broody hens and still have yet to have one of their eggs hatch. 

www.youtube.com/stoneschickens

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hatch-cam-2012


Keeping tabs on my five favorite birds and favorite bunnies.

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www.youtube.com/stoneschickens

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hatch-cam-2012


Keeping tabs on my five favorite birds and favorite bunnies.

Reply
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