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

[bantambury]

QUESTION FOR EVERYONE WHO CAN HELP:

i have 2 eggs from the fridge, the oldest laid on the third... I also got one today... Can i keep these sitting out using the book method until we all set the eggs? I need 4of my OE... Now i have 3... Should i wait till i get fresher eggs? Im planning on going to my breeders place and picking up 3 fresh others from him on the 10th....what should i do?

 

[BoereMeisie]

They may have too much butt fluff. Try trimming some of it with a pair of scissors. I do this with my Brahmas and I get 100% fertility.

Ummm... Okay... That should be an interesting mission... Poor things are going to be emotionally scarred though as they're a bit skittish

This is a common problem with Orpingtons.

Good to know, thanks!

Was this the same rooster they were with before you got them? If not maybe they don't respect him yet so don't want him messing with them.

Yes, same rooster but he might have been a low-ranking rooster since there was 1 rooster to two hens ratio where I got them from and they were randomly caught, so the hens were not caught with the rooster they would normally "hang" with... I suppose? If I look at my own established flock, some of my hens definitely favor a specific rooster and would have nothing to do with another one.

 

[SunnySkies]

We have a cutest chick contest for a Photo contest.

I am the only one running this Hatch a Long though. I can only do so much. 

You mean you aren't superman? Well....darn.... LOL

 

[faerieannette]

Still trying to work out getting eggs. Gonna clean the bator. I am going to go to trader joes, wegmans and a roots market grocery store and buy fertile eggs and see what happens!

 

[ronott1]

QUESTION FOR EVERYONE WHO CAN HELP:

i have 2 eggs from the fridge, the oldest laid on the third... I also got one today... Can i keep these sitting out using the book method until we all set the eggs? I need 4of my OE... Now i have 3... Should i wait till i get fresher eggs? Im planning on going to my breeders place and picking up 3 fresh others from him on the 10th....what should i do?

Eggs you collect are ok for 15 days. Hatch rated goes down after 10 days but you can still hatch eggs older than 15 days.

I would set all of the eggs on the 11th.

 

[FeyRaine]

We have a cutest chick contest for a Photo contest.

I am the only one running this Hatch a Long though. I can only do so much.

I'm thinking just do a random post # (I know you have one like that already) but it is pretty easy, pick a backup higher # in case the poster doesn't want the eggs of course.
But basically no voting, no judges, no clutter, just somebody will hit the lucky number and poof, contest winner, done deal.

<shrug> maybe not as thrilling as some more fancy contests but
personally aside from the already announced best hatch & cutest chick pic. I wouldn't mind at all if all additional contests were just random post # jackpots. We are gonna post up this thread big time soon enough.

Keeping the contests way more simple than last year feels like a good stress reducer for everyone

The fact that there ARE prizes is wonderful, big thanks to all those donating prizes!!!

 

[bantambury]

sorry guys!!! im asking so many questions!!!

but is is mandatory to stop turning the eggs 2 days before the hatch???

 

[bantambury]

Eggs you collect are ok for 15 days. Hatch rated goes down after 10 days but you can still hatch eggs older than 15 days.

I would set all of the eggs on the 11th.

ok thanks!!! so then ill probably collect all four eggs through the 6-10th, and just keep up the book thing....then also, I may just keep the three I have now....but I have no idea!!!

wow this is challenging!! haha



I may join tonight!!! looking over everything soon!!!

 

[fosterson]

sorry guys!!! im asking so many questions!!!

but is is mandatory to stop turning the eggs 2 days before the hatch???

Yes. It gives the developing chicks a chance to get into position and get ready to start pipping.

 

[faerieannette]

ok thanks!!! so then ill probably collect all four eggs through the 6-10th, and just keep up the book thing....then also, I may just keep the three I have now....but I have no idea!!!

wow this is challenging!! haha



I may join tonight!!! looking over everything soon!!!

whats the book thing?