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

[SoManyHats]

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

It is that simple! But not easy for me - I'm a but clumsy and get distracted easily. :/
I don't know about the bulb wattage. I used 45, but my incubator is small and you will also be maintaining higher temps. When you get it running, you'll want to run it for a few days to make sure the temp is stable. You may need to change the bulb during that process.

 

[SoManyHats]

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.

I just finished my first hatch. 7 out of my 12 eggs were Marans. 5 were early quitters, but three I didn't even realize because they were too dark to candle. But out of the 12 I set, I ended up with two Marans chicks. They're so cute! But, yeah, I definitely learned a lot!

 

[ronott1]

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!

Campines are very nice. I know some people with them. Do you have a source of eggs?

 

[Scottyhorse]

It is that simple! But not easy for me - I'm a but clumsy and get distracted easily.

I don't know about the bulb wattage. I used 45, but my incubator is small and you will also be maintaining higher temps. When you get it running, you'll want to run it for a few days to make sure the temp is stable. You may need to change the bulb during that process.

I will definitely make sure to run it a few days before I put eggs in there. Glad to hear it is that simple! If all else fails, I'll have my dad do it ;D
I'm really tempted to order some eggs... But I'm not sure... Should I, or should I not? Hmm..

 

[ronott1]

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

I have added you to the list of participants!

 

[ronott1]

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.

At this time of the year the incubator should get here in plenty of time. The first hatch is practice anyway, so inexpensive eggs are best.

Trader Joes and Whole foods sell fertile eggs that will hatch. If you cannot get hatching eggs from someone local, pick up a doze or two of the freshest Fertile eggs you can find.

Trader Joes Fertile eggs hatch out White Leghorns.

 

[carriebain]

Yay! Thank you!

 

[ronott1]

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

Look up the details, but there is no correct weight. You are looking for the correct percentage of weight loss. You do not have to weigh all of the eggs--just a sample of them. You are really checking to make sure that the humidity is correct.

Another option is to use an air cell chart. With a strong candler, you can see the air cell in Marans. I use a Brinsea Ova View High intensity and can see inside Marans eggs.





Air Cell Chart

 

[carriebain]

Look up the details, but there is no correct weight. You are looking for the correct percentage of weight loss. You do not have to weigh all of the eggs--just a sample of them. You are really checking to make sure that the humidity is correct. Another option is to use an air cell chart. With a strong candler, you can see the air cell in Marans. I use a Brinsea Ova View High intensity and can see inside Marans eggs. Air Cell Chart

Good info! I was going to do a 25-35 percent humidity day 1-18 then bump it up 65-70 days 19-21 does that sound about right?

 

[ronott1]

Good info! I was going to do a 25-35 percent humidity day 1-18 then bump it up 65-70 days 19-21 does that sound about right?

Yes, 30% is what I set mine at and it work great at that humidity level.