60 eggs in incubator and 5 under broody!!

[sunnie7]

I just set 60 eggs in a cabinet incubator, BLack Copper Marans, Lavender Orpingtons, Olive Eggers and mixed breeds! I’m so excited

My bantam Cochin that’s 3 years old also happened to go broody again yesterday, she’s in a separate coop with my other bantam Cochin hen. I’ve only incubated 3 times (between chickens and 2 guinea hatched) and I’ve never tried letting a hen hatch any so we (my kids and I) are really exited about that too! I’ll watch her closely and if she stops sitting hopefully I can get to them in time and put them in the incubator!
I do need some suggestions on how to separate this hatching tray. I was going to flip and extra upside down on top of it so there’s more room since I think it’s made for quail? I’m borrowing this from my neighbor, I’ve only hatched guineas in it so far. Any suggestions on how to separate the breeds when I move them down to the hatching tray? Cardboard with holes or try the small laundry garment bags?

Also anyone know if these holes stay open the entire time? I’m guessing yes so they get oxygen.

 

[LeoTheUnicorn]

Best of luck! I can't wait to see them

 

[sunnie7]

Best of luck! I can't wait to see them

Thank you Now 21 days of obsessing, hoping and praying!!!!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Following along to learn.

I hope you get a super good hatch rate!

 

[austrianalps13]

good luck and hope your hen stays on and your kids get to see natures way and mother hen. It truly is so much fun to watch.

 

[sunnie7]

Suggestions for in a week how to go about candling this many eggs?! Is there a good method to not take too long? Or should I not even try to do them all?

When you candle eggs under a broody do you do it when it’s dark outside? Do you remove one at a time? They are BCM eggs so they aren't going to be easy to see.

 

[sunnie7]

Day 18!!! I locked down 37 in the cabinet incubator and moved the 9 black copper Maran eggs into my other incubator. My husband helped me make dividers for the hatching tray. I got humidity up to between 65-70% in both incubators. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get the cabinets humidity up easily but I added a 9x13 pan with water and a couple small glass bowls with sponges.

My broody hen is doing good. She got pretty pale and I was worrying about her but I finally got her to eat some cat food mashed up and she’s looking better. We have had issues with auntie trying to take over sitting on her eggs so I had to boot auntie out of the coop!

 

[Chookwagn]

Whoohoo keep us updated!

I wish my bator could hold that many!

 

[sunnie7]

Whoohoo keep us updated!

I wish my bator could hold that many!

The cabinet one is my neighbors that I borrowed in the spring for guineas...I figured I’d make good use out of it while I still have it!!!

 

[Chookwagn]

The cabinet one is my neighbors that I borrowed in the spring for guineas...I figured I’d make good use out of it while I still have it!!!

Great idea!

Im on the hunt now for more Leghorn eggs to incubate