Classroom Incubating Project - HELP!

AmyLynn2374 said:

Have never heard of pcv. Intersting.

If you followed the manual's instructions and had that many hatch, maybe you should play the lottery...lol Most times those instructions lead to either drowned chicks (because of high humidity) or late hatches, (because of incorrect temps-pertaining to still air incubators.) I often rant about those things. I'm glad you defied the norm. Your system seemed to work for you, but if you are interested, this is my method: http://letsraisechickens.weebly.com...anuals-understanding-and-controlling-humidity

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Thank you! I do feel very lucky. I don't think I want to risk that again though. I will be reading up on your methods Thank You so very much.

My kids are still very excited and we had a talk this morning about how the life cycle includes life and death. I am glad though that they were not witness to what remained.

My 4 year old daughter wants me to keep the incubator at home now to hatch her own chicks. I had brought her to my class to see the new babies and she was excited that these she could hold these up close. With our hens she would watch from afar but we don't normally mess with the mama and her babies.

It may be a fun project for us to attempt at home with a small batch after I do all my research.

EMV1017 said:

Thank you! I do feel very lucky. I don't think I want to risk that again though. I will be reading up on your methods Thank You so very much.

My kids are still very excited and we had a talk this morning about how the life cycle includes life and death. I am glad though that they were not witness to what remained.

My 4 year old daughter wants me to keep the incubator at home now to hatch her own chicks. I had brought her to my class to see the new babies and she was excited that these she could hold these up close. With our hens she would watch from afar but we don't normally mess with the mama and her babies.

It may be a fun project for us to attempt at home with a small batch after I do all my research.

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It is awesome and sooo addicting. My 31 are in the brooder, I have yet to finish off their coops and my mind keeps thinking about the next hatch (which I am trying to hold off until after the 4th of July...lol We will be using our own eggs for the first time!!) lol Doing one at home will give you practice for the next class hatch.

lazy gardener said:

Walnut, did you use a regular pineapple from the grocery store? Recipe please!

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I go fruit-crazy in summer and go down to the commercial produce warehouses in the city, and buy cases of limes, lemons, and pineapples to make fruit drinks. Instead of tossing all the pineapple skins on the compost pile, I thoroughly washed the pineapples before skinning them, and cut off the tops. I took the rinds from a couple of pineapples, cut them into pieces, packed them in a big jar, added a little ale yeast (which activates at room temperatures), and added water to cover. I then capped the jar (half gallon mason) with a plastic mason jar lid with a hole drilled in it to fit my grommet and air lock from my brewing bucket. If you don't have brewing supplies, securely fasten fine muslin over the top to keep fruit flies out.

In a couple of days you will start to see it bubble. Then it will get yellow and cloudy. Be sure that the fruit remains covered with water so it doesn't get moldy. Finally it will turn more clear and no bubbles, with sediment at the bottom. Pour off as much clear wort as you can to a clean jar, leaving the yeast and skins to toss on the compost pile. Cover the jar with a clean cloth and return to a spot out of direct sunlight. Depending on room temps, it will take from weeks to months to develop the vinegar tang. Once it does, it's ready for use and can be capped. Check for pressure from residual yeast, or refrigerate to kill the yeast. The acidity will most likely be much greater than 5%, so use sparingly or dilute at time of use to an appropriate "tang" (like if making sushi rice or marinade).

Making ACV was the same but I just crushed windfall apples after washing, and tossed them in the jar.

Mother of vinegar formed on my ACV but not the pineapple vinegar.

WalnutHill said:

I go fruit-crazy in summer and go down to the commercial produce warehouses in the city, and buy cases of limes, lemons, and pineapples to make fruit drinks. Instead of tossing all the pineapple skins on the compost pile, I thoroughly washed the pineapples before skinning them, and cut off the tops. I took the rinds from a couple of pineapples, cut them into pieces, packed them in a big jar, added a little ale yeast (which activates at room temperatures), and added water to cover. I then capped the jar (half gallon mason) with a plastic mason jar lid with a hole drilled in it to fit my grommet and air lock from my brewing bucket. If you don't have brewing supplies, securely fasten fine muslin over the top to keep fruit flies out.

In a couple of days you will start to see it bubble. Then it will get yellow and cloudy. Be sure that the fruit remains covered with water so it doesn't get moldy. Finally it will turn more clear and no bubbles, with sediment at the bottom. Pour off as much clear wort as you can to a clean jar, leaving the yeast and skins to toss on the compost pile. Cover the jar with a clean cloth and return to a spot out of direct sunlight. Depending on room temps, it will take from weeks to months to develop the vinegar tang. Once it does, it's ready for use and can be capped. Check for pressure from residual yeast, or refrigerate to kill the yeast. The acidity will most likely be much greater than 5%, so use sparingly or dilute at time of use to an appropriate "tang" (like if making sushi rice or marinade).

Making ACV was the same but I just crushed windfall apples after washing, and tossed them in the jar.

Mother of vinegar formed on my ACV but not the pineapple vinegar.

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This is very interesting! I also buy a lot of fruit and didn't think of making my own vinegar. Currently I can fruits and jams and make my own marinades but have never attempted this. Thanks for the idea! We usually just toss fruit pieces into the compost bin or let our chickens snack on them.