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

[sandman221]

thanks for the help. just opened it up a little more. still alive an well so far. haven't mess with the second one yet

 

[BoereMeisie]

Best thing from pinterest. Ever.

I need a sign like this to put on my chair in the chicken yard

 

[Wunjo]

There user name on e-bay was 2010pigeon23 Heritage RIR, 100% hatch rate

TYVM It sounds like they know what they are doing as do you! Grats on 100%.

Found out they are in the state next to me.

 

[MarineCorpFarmr]

Dangit 770 posts behind lol. Been busy working at the new house and getting power out to the barn and prepping pens lol. The work never ends. But things at the new house are getting settled. The ultra-bator is up and running and holding temp and humidity. Just need eggs now brooder conversion starts next weekend. That should be a fun project. From one giant brooder to 10 seperate ones. Cant wait. -MCF

 

[sandman221]

lost one eggs that pipped wrong end, other one seems alright just a lil weak.. and 1 that hatched normal. no more pips as of yet. hope every one is having superb hatches

 

[Math]

My eggs went into lock down last night because I needed room to set a bunch of new eggs in the incubator that arrived in the mail yesterday ! (my Christmas present)

I may have to change my signature to "Addicted to Hatching" I have three sets going right now and am at full capacity.

Congratulations, but what will you do with your chicks?

 

[abmaddox1981]

Quick question, my humidity is hanging out around 68%. Is this oka for hatching? Usually I struggle just to get it to 65% and end up with a large amount fully formed but dead in the shell. I'm guessing those were shrink wrapped. So trying to avoid this. Do I need to get it over 70%?

 

[Pozees]

Carefully moved bator to top of dryer for lockdown (so I could SEE in there!)...
Filled both wells with hot water, put a piece of terrycloth on each side, with edges in the wells....
Put BIG sign under it, extending out the front - "DO NOT RUN DRYER - If you MUST use dryer, see me FIRST !!!"...
Terrycloth wicked water to the little (drain? overflow?) holes at the bottom...
My warning sign is now transferred to the top of the dryer.
*sigh*

LOL this sounds like something I would do - sorry, it isn't kind to laugh at someone else's misfortune, but it was so easy to see myself doing this! If you have room you may want to fill a glass bowl or some other vessel with terry cloths/towels and warmed clean water - not now, you have to do it before you put eggs in so you can get everything balanced, unless the eggs are in cartons or a tray, then everything usually stays put.

Good luck! How many/what did you set?

 

[SilkieSensation]

I need some advice!!! I think I need to move my broody and the babies out of the hen house/coop based on what I have read. I put pictures of my hen house/coop below. My coop also has 2 full grown turkeys (approx 50lbs) that live full time with the girls. I have a few questions on what to do that those of you who have much more experience than I do can hopefully answer... 1. Is it too late to move my broody to a secluded area? 2. Is my brooding box ok to put her in - It is made of 2 french doors (6ft x 2ftx4ft) Pic below 3. What type of bedding material do I use? Sawdust, shredded paper, bath towels, hay, straw 4. Will she reject the babies with just days to go if I move her now? She already kicked 1 egg out of the nest yesterday =( So many choices and I just want to do what is best for my babies!!! Nesting Box - 8 in drop to floor Hen House - approx 2 ft off the ground Brooding Box (Used for baby Chicks last spring) Thanks in advance for any advice!!

I would personally mover her out of the hen house now. The French door brooder is great and would be perfect for her and her chicks. I have personally seen what happens to peeping eggs and chicks if left in the main house, its not pretty to find pecked to death day old babies or babies pecked out of their shell before ready to hatch. Shaving are my preference for all brooders and coops. I hope you have a good hatch.

Your brooder is plenty big but make sure you have a way to cover the top. Momma may hop out if you don't. To move them, fill the bottom of a box with shavings, wait until night & slide eggs out from under her into the box, place her on top & close the box. Take her to the brooder & put the eggs in nest first, then place her on top. She should settle right back in as long as you keep everything as dark as possible. Chips work well for broody hens.

 

[Pozees]

Quick question, my humidity is hanging out around 68%. Is this oka for hatching? Usually I struggle just to get it to 65% and end up with a large amount fully formed but dead in the shell. I'm guessing those were shrink wrapped. So trying to avoid this. Do I need to get it over 70%?

I rarely get it higher than 65%, but (here at least) as long as I've got it at 55% or better before the first pip I don't have shrink wrapping. Once they start zipping and hatching the humidity spikes. Others almost certainly have varied experiences, as many have pointed out. The difference in hatching parameters vary from house to house, incubator to incubator, etc.