5th Annual BYC New Year's Day 2014 Hatch-A-Long

[Lacy Blues]

Yes, I believe a little 'mood' lighting is in order for my chooks as well...

Oh I like that! That's too cute not to steal!

Same here, especially with mallards. It may have been the strain I had, but they always hatched out on day 25-26. If I hatch any ducks for the hatch-a-long, they'll be khaki campbells. Undecided what chicken breed to put in. I have lavender orpingtons in the bator now and due to hatch in 5 days. But I'd like to start a campine or vorwerk flock. Very hard to find hatching eggs for those breeds at any time of the year!

Where do you live Avlana? My daughter raises Campines.

 

[msladyhawke]

Squeeeee!!  e :yiipchick   The lady with the Lav Orps will have eggs available and is fine with me picking them up rather than shipping.  So it looks like I'll have some of those to put in for the hatch-a-long.  

Yay! Very good news for you! Lav Orps are gorgeous!

 

[Scottyhorse]

Post number 483 of this thread has the diagram I used. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/8510/chic-chick-bator-updated/480

You'll have to have wire strippers or similar to cut off the outer coating of the wire, exposing the metal inside. It's that metal that you wrap around your terminals.

Remember that for still air incubators, the temp has to be a little higher- 102, I think, but you should look it up. Good luck with your project!

Thank you thank you thank you! Is it really as simple as the diagram makes it look? I could totally do that

I'll need to do some reading on the temp. I started on the incubator today. Got the window cut and in place, and found the bulb and light fixture I will be using. Is 60 watts ok? It's a fairly large box, and in the basement. Sorry for all the questions, never made an incubator before!

 

[carriebain]

Can I join? I have marans eggs coming December 7th! This will be my first hatch ever! Hovabator 2362

 

[Avlana]

Where do you live Avlana? My daughter raises Campines.

I live in PA, just outside of Harrisburg.

 

[Gardeningmama]

Can I join? I have marans eggs coming December 7th! This will be my first hatch ever! Hovabator 2362

You sure can join! Totally jealous of you having your very first hatch ...you just can't replace the feeling of the first time. The excitement, anxiety, 1st time candling, it's the best experience ever! Just beware of the ensuing addiction,lol!

 

[Whoops]

I want to join, but I have just ordered the incubator. I am not sure it will get here in time to order eggs for Dec 11. It would be my very first hatch.

 

[carriebain]

Thank you! I am excited and nervous at the same time! I already have the incubator plugged in and playing with humidity levels! Tips and pointers welcomed!

 

[chiqita]

WEIGH your Marans eggs to make sure they are loosing the right amount of weight. Marans eggs don't ship well. The inner membrane stretch and the chicks can get to big to turn. It is a tough egg for your first time. But you can learn a lot on Marans eggs.

 

[carriebain]

When should I weigh them and how do I know they are the correct weight?