4th Annual BYC NYD Hatch-a-long

[SilkieSensation]

Sad to say, my optimism took a bit of a beating when I got up to find my temp at 102.1 this morning *sigh*. Working now at stabizing...and reminding myself that I have done my best by this hatch. I cooled down as quickly as I could, which means temporarily diminishing desired humidity level, so it really worked in my favor I don't have a bunch of pips yet.

No matter the outcome, I know there will be life a-plenty in the new year, and I am grateful to have made contact with WVstruttin' in the next county through this forum, who has silkies

I had to have surgery in the middle of the hatch...weird how I missed my eggs sitting near me when I was in the hospital. That's probably a bit daft

Temp of 102.1 is NOT a major issue & should not have been opened to cool, especially during lockdown. If it rises again by only that small amount simply nudge the thermostat down a hair & wait. Such a small temp rise will only speed development, not harm the babies, especially this far into the process.

Thanks for the quick response. 2nd pip, just hatched. Humidity up to 52%.

Question: At what humidity level should I take emergency, spray bottle action? (great idea!!!)

I really need to move my incubator out of my bedroom.

Mine actually hatch pretty well anywhere above 40% but everyone has different results. 52% should be pretty good & will rise more as more babies pip. I try not to let mine go over 60% for chicks because they never dry & I have a lot of babies drown in the shell. Just keep an eye on them & as long as everyone keeps making progress leave them to their business.

 

[tadpole98]

oy
we have two chikcs out, and id say in about 30 seconds we will have three
its 6 lol and im tired. been up all night waititng for a chick to hatch that finally did around 4 in the morning

 

[SilkieSensation]

oy
we have two chikcs out, and id say in about 30 seconds we will have three
its 6 lol and im tired. been up all night waititng for a chick to hatch that finally did around 4 in the morning

Go get some sleep. They will hatch whether you watch them or not.

 

[tadpole98]

Quote:

but its too entertaining to watch- and hey, i dont have anything better to do

 

[michaelf]

Good morning everyone! Have a good day! Back to work I go:/ good luck on all the chicks hatching. It is fun to watch and read what is going on.

 

[SilkieSensation]

but its too entertaining to watch- and hey, i dont have anything better to do

But sleep deprived means "grumpy." Your family & friends will thank you for getting some sleep.

 

[tadpole98]

Quote: nah, not with chicks around!

 

[Selah]

But sleep deprived means "grumpy." Your family & friends will thank you for getting some sleep.

^^Amen!^^

 

[tadpole98]

one that has zipped all the way around is stuck.
he didnt zip the white stuff (cant remember what that thin film is lol)
he needs to hurry and figure out how ot do it lol

 

[Kismet]

Quick question ... Instead of putting paper towels down over my bator wire, i put that rubber mat stuff that people use in their drawers. Someone recommended it and it sounded like a good idea at the time - the eggs don't roll around as easy and it should provide good footing for the peeps, and it has holes for circulation of air and humidity. Sounds ok, ya? Or, maybe not. It is emitting a really strong rubbery smell and now I'm concerned that this might hurt my hatchlings before or after they hatch (if they hatch). Do you think I should be worried? I didn't think twice about it until my husband said I was probably slowly poisoning them with the rubber mat smell

eek!

Shelley, I have the same stuff in mine...I don't notice a smell at this point...I know a lot of people use it but I am not 100% sure about fumes and possible damage to the chicks..can you let me know what people tell you in case I miss the answer and if it is bad I will pull mine out.


I had put that rubber matting in my hatcher while I was warming it up and getting it ready for lockdown. I noticed it smelled a little, but my real concern was that it was affecting the humidity because it blocked the water wells so much. I ended up taking it out and I'm hatching on the 1/4" hardware cloth. At least I hope I'm hatching - I had three pips when I went to bed last night, and I have three pips this morning. No progress. Thank goodness for Sally Sunshine's post about not panicking and not touching anything as long as they have air to breathe - it is so-o-o tempting to go in and hurry things along.