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

[bantambury]

Day four is early. I did not see development on day 4 but saw a bunch on day 6.

ok! but do fridge eggs take longer? if so will the chicks hatch a noon, or later since they would form later?

 

[MontanaDolphin]

Hi everyone...it was suggested I come join the fun here...I have eggs due to hatch Jan. 2nd...my first ever, and set to be a trial run on an old used incubator I bought years ago. Figured I'd screw up somehow, or something would go wrong, so I set 10 of my girls' eggs fertilized by my aggressive rooster...I felt that if none made it, that wouldn't be too bad because "they" say you shouldn't breed aggressive genes. If they do make it, I'll just eat the roos when they get big enough, and keep the pullets for egg laying, never hatching any of those eggs.

I'm on day 5, and although I've had issues with temperature and humidity, 9 of the 10 are growing. I see little kidney beans with black dots for an eyeball on each. I can also see them move...I couldn't believe it...it's like every time there's a heartbeat, it moves. Pretty cool

My flock consists of one 10 1/2 month old Barred Rock cockerel, two 10 1/2 month old Barred Rock pullets, and six 9 1/2 month old Commercial Black pullets (which are hatchery Barred Rock crosses). The eggs could be from any of the girls...I have no idea which pullet lays what egg!

Here's some pics I took today of 7 of the eggs. You can see the kidney bean and eyeball

 

[bantambury]

Here's some pics I took today of 7 of the eggs. You can see the kidney bean and eyeball

great picture! its very clear! you will have an excellent hatch!

 

[SoManyHats]

Okay, now I need some help! I set 38 eggs, sure that I'd get 2-3 chicks per dozen. But I know for sure I have 20 growing, and the rest are blue and dark brown and I can't see anything yet. I can't hatch that many chicks in my incubator - it's too small! Anybody have ideas on making a cheap hatcher or ideas for managing the hatch in a small bator?

 

[bantambury]

Okay, now I need some help! I set 38 eggs, sure that I'd get 2-3 chicks per dozen. But I know for sure I have 20 growing, and the rest are blue and dark brown and I can't see anything yet. I can't hatch that many chicks in my incubator - it's too small! Anybody have ideas on making a cheap hatcher or ideas for managing the hatch in a small bator?

yes!
here is the page of homemade incubators: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/homemade-chicken-egg-incubator-designs-pictures

here is the page for homemade brooders: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/homemade-chicken-brooder-designs-pictures


actually, i didn't have an incubator when i came to the problem where my hen crushed a piped egg inward.....so i took the egg into the brooder, and put lots of water in to make the 70% humidity, and i let the egg hatch in there! you could do that! i don't see why not, because as long as you have a good temp and humidity your good!

what i did to keep in the humidity was i put cardbrd blocking the sides of the brooder, so i had the heat and everything in. it really works! i think its an easy way to make the brooder into a good hatch place....

i think as long as you place the eggs into the brooder the day of the hatch you should be fine.....and hey! you would already have the chicks in the brooder! hahahahah

here is the egg and here is the rooster that hatched from it!

 

[ronott1]

ok! but do fridge eggs take longer? if so will the chicks hatch a noon, or later since they would form later?

The Trader Joes hatched on time. Some Breeds hatch early, some hatch on time and some hatch late. Usually the first one will pip and hatch early. Usually it is 24 hours from the first one to hatch to the last one to hatch.

I have had hatches that went on for more than three days though. All hatches are different and rarely hatch exactly to the 21 day standard.

 

[bantambury]

The Trader Joes hatched on time. Some Breeds hatch early, some hatch on time and some hatch late. Usually the first one will pip and hatch early. Usually it is 24 hours from the first one to hatch to the last one to hatch.

I have had hatches that went on for more than three days though. All hatches are different and rarely hatch exactly to the 21 day standard.

ok! awesome info! very helpful! thank you ron again!

 

[FeyRaine]

Has anyone ever had an egg get wedged into the egg holder of there turner?

I'm having that issue (LG incubator/turner) I'm almost certain it isn't oose or poo causing the issue,
I'm thinking the small end of this one egg is just exactly the size that it went it and got wedged to the point I'm afraid I'll crack it if I try to pull it out. It is just the weirdest problem...
and makes it impossible to candle since I can't get the egg out. The only thing I can think to do would be pull all the other eggs out for their safety, then lift the turner & try to push the stuck egg
from the under side. Anyone have a better idea??

 

[Wisher1000]

I had that happen a couple of times. Both times, the egg had been weeping and the stuff dried like glue. I used a q-tip and dabbed warm water around the edges to soften it and was able to get it out. I also took the egg next to it out and used my pinky to hook around and gently push up from underneath.

Good luck!

 

[ronott1]

Has anyone ever had an egg get wedged into the egg holder of there turner?

I'm having that issue (LG incubator/turner) I'm almost certain it isn't oose or poo causing the issue,
I'm thinking the small end of this one egg is just exactly the size that it went it and got wedged to the point I'm afraid I'll crack it if I try to pull it out. It is just the weirdest problem...
and makes it impossible to candle since I can't get the egg out. The only thing I can think to do would be pull all the other eggs out for their safety, then lift the turner & try to push the stuck egg
from the under side. Anyone have a better idea??

It has always bee a seeping egg.

I had that happen a couple of times. Both times, the egg had been weeping and the stuff dried like glue. I used a q-tip and dabbed warm water around the edges to soften it and was able to get it out. I also took the egg next to it out and used my pinky to hook around and gently push up from underneath.

Good luck!

Do this!