14 eggs in the incubator... due to hatch June 18.

[TripTrapMtnHomestead]

Is there a post already started somewhere for hatching buddies?!
This is my first time incubating. How important is the humidity? Should I go get a thermometer that reads humidity too? I've just been making sure it doesn't run out of water in the channels. When I candled last week ... all 14 were growing!! Getting ready to do it again today.
I was really hoping another of our hens would get broody so I could sneak them under her but so far no luck.

 

[TexChix2]

You will find every thing from high to dry on humidity recommendations on this forum. Too much humidity and the chick can drown in the shell (so I've heard), but you would see the incubator fogging up if it were too humid. If you read through all the posts on "Dry Hatch" they might give you better guidance. Your candling gives me reason to think that you've got everything set up just right. Humidistats are pretty cheap, however, and I, personally, think you can never have too many things to check in this addicting occupation. I have some marans eggs in incubator right now, but they were lost in the mail for a week, so I'm doubtful. But--I'm holding out hope for at least three . . .If any hatch, it will be on the 14th.

 

[cmom]

I have some Pheasant eggs and chicken eggs due to hatch on the 23rd.

 

[Balefire]

I have 12 BC Marans and 7 Ameraucana in my incubator. Lost 7 ameraucana eggs yesterday, they stop developing

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for the remaining eggs. They are due on the 17th.

 

[blkwdw]

Hi and welcome, I have 18 mixed peepers due to hatch on the 18th, I'm in with you!! haven't candled yet, will do so in a few days and keep you posted.

 

[anniesmom]

I have a batch due on the 14th. They are Ameraucanas and Lavender Orpingtons. I totally agree that you can't have too many things to check at least the temp. in the incubator. My first hatch in my brand new expensive incubator with preset digital read out gave me 0 out of 21 eggs. I assumed their temp. read out was correct - because they said so - and didn't check it with anything else. When checked after the failure the readings on other thermometers were 3 to 4 degrees less than the read out on the incubator. The eggs were too cold the whole time, not 99.5 like the incubator said. Live and learn. We have recalibrated it. All the other thermometers will probably read differently but taking an average should be pretty close. I'll know for sure in a week. All but two eggs were developing at 8 days.

 

[Love my Critters!]

I have 24 silkies eggs in the bator due the 18th! I candled yesterday and I think I lost about half of my batch. They came in the mail, so 50% is actually good. I swear, having to wait three whole weeks is killer! I am so excited. I really want these babies to hatch. I can not buy any silkies here where I live except from the hatcheries (which are not good quality). I've lost all but 1 one of my silkies to old age and a skunk last year. I really really hope I get some babies!!!!

 

[blkwdw]

Just candled and only two were clear, so hopefully will have 16 peeps in 10 days, this is addicting, I am already planning what to put in the next batch... I do like silkies.

 

[TripTrapMtnHomestead]

oh, fun! i'm glad to have some hatch buddies here. i'm getting excited for more chicks!!! our incubator chicks will be even more fun since they will be in the house with us! (we have a mama hen that just had 4 hatch naturally)
i hope every thing keeps going good. they all looked good when i candled 2 days ago.

talk to me about lock down?? does anyone have a good link on exactly what i am supposed to do? thanks!!!

 

[Razadia]

I've got 19 game chicken eggs due on the 15th. I lost 5 on 1st candling. 4 were infertile and one blood ringed. Suffered two 106 temp spikes in the same day and didn't lose any of the remaining 20 (started with 25) until today. I figured out what was causing the temp spikes. One of the cats had made herself at home on top of the bator. I freaked out and candled and had one bloodring. Made me sad since I had just candled last night and all was fine. I'm dry incubating in a hovabator 1602N. Still air with a home made turner.