2nd attempt with Marans Dec. 3 hatch anyone want to join? (oops dec.6)

[frenchblackcopper]

rh levels = relative humidity

 

[heymikey]

Have any of you tried a broody hen to set your Maran eggs? Say a cochin or silkie?

 

[marquisella]

I've been hatching Marans for 3 years, and until last year, had dismal hatches, even with a Sportsman.

Then I tried dry hatching, and have much better hatches now.

I also started putting the eggs in a styrofoam incubator for the last 3 days and the chicks practicially pop out of the shells.

Yes, I do get an occasional slow one, and have to help out, but my success rate is much higher. Trying to hatch in the Sportsman was impossible, I could never get the humidity over 50%. Now, I get it up to 80 the last 3 days and it works great. I also put my Wyandottes in with the Marans and they are hatching better than before.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Thank you Marquisella, I will get that humidity up!

 

[mahalo4]

Well here are my pics my 6 cochins 3 black/3blue then my Jersey giants BBS do you see the brown 1 it is a Jersey Giant also Maria says she gets about 1 in 200 that color but usually culls them just a wierd throw of color I am keeping since I am not showing it will go in my Coop of misfit chickens!!!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Adorable. I actually like the brown coloring on the jersey giant. It will be interesting to see how it feathers out. Congrats!

 

[kathyinmo]

Well, my hatch of Dec 3 and 4 ended up with 6 White Faced Black Spanish, and 3 little bitty buff colored babies from a mixture. Pictures from today.

 

[mstricer]

Mine went horrible again, I dont know what the problem is? I had my first pip on day 20, it pipped a big hole and didnt zip died 24 hrs later with beak showing. 2nd one day 20 also, I was vigalent about watching this one I watched it make the hole bigger then no progress so I helpped it and it is doing great. #3 this one was doing the same except for it only did a small hole on day 21 and appeared to be not going any farther so I help alittle put back in bator and let it alone. Checked later no progress even though it was working hard. At the resistence of the little voice in back of head I helped again Big mistake poor little guy was not done with yolk Oh mine what a mess. No Blood and it is actually still alive with one leg spralyed its drinking eating and working at standing on leg. Its bad to help out because you dont know what is going on inside egg. I dont think I would have any if I wont have helped. I currently have 5 more eggs in bator 2 that are rocking alittle. If anyone else is having issues with hatching BCM please post on here maybe if we all put our heads together we can figure out what we are doing wrong?

 

[lildinkem]

I only hatch large fowl. And using the dry method like marquisella says, yields the best and most reliable results. I hatched 6 of 7 eggs that developed of some Orps just yesterday. Humidity was near or around 50% to 60% temp rite near 99. Had one pip out at the bottom end of the egg. Still made it. When one has made little progress I will crack around the egg. To help the guy out. Usually it is only after 24 hours of him not gettin anywhere.