6th Annual BYC New Year's Day 2015 Hatch-A-Long

[FuzzyHens]

It is always good to plan ahead!!

We need to hear more about the "couple of scenerios"!

Yes, What did you decide on for the Easter Hatchalong?

oh, the plotting and planning...

I'm currently hoping to hatch blue and splash bantam cochin. Assuming I get a couple of these through to a successful hatch, then I'll be going for either

black cochin bantams

brown red and lemon blue cochin bantams

or...work on the LF flock...BBS Copper Marans, CCL or Isbar...or a nice assortment of these.

If I don't do well on this hatch, then that black cochin bantam option will be BBS cochin bantams.

Where is that plotting finger tapping icon when you need it...

Have you starting plotting for the next HAL?

 

[FuzzyHens]

Well, I noticed the "only 10 more days" announcement a few pages back and realized I had better get busy candling!!!

It turns out my mother has never candled eggs! *gasp* So I bundled them up and hauled them to her house (she lives in the basement apartment of my house, lol)... and she was quite impressed! She even got to see one move.

Annnnnd.... 6 of 6 seem to be doing great!
Except that the aircells aren't growing much... time to decrease humidity.

congrats!!!

 

[shlac]

Now, for the NEXT HAL... I want show/breeder quality Dorkings, and Modern Game (bantams); and some recessive white Legbars. Then I am done acquiring breeds. SO if I can get my hands on any of those eggs, I'll be signing up for the first HAL I can find, lol.

 

[Cynthia12]

Our Troops and their Families.

I'm one of the families for one, will be two soon...enough..so thank you for thinking of the families too.

 

[blackgoat]

Hmmmm. So, some of my air cells are much smaller than others. The blue and green eggs' cells are too small for this far along. Should I reduce the humidity? I'm really worried about the saddle-shaped air cells, which appear really big. The humidity is around 50%.

Has anyone ever sanded their dark eggs before incubating? I read that that might help with the evaporation. It also seems like it would sand off the bloom. I know it's too late to sand now, but for future reference.

 

[NotAFarm]

Quote: How about a plotting hand rubbing icon....

The first HAL I will consider is the Easter one because I want my broodies to raise the chicks and it is too cold here before April to do it. I've missed the Easter Hatchalong when Easter fell in March because it is just too early for me. My flock consists of Icelandics and I will be getting some eggs this spring from a different breeder(s) to increase diversity in my flock.

.....until then, I'll watch the fun and enjoy the fluffy chick pics everyone here will be posting!

 

[blackgoat]

How about a plotting hand rubbing icon....

Or this ....
....
or maybe not...

 

[ronott1]

Well, I noticed the "only 10 more days" announcement a few pages back and realized I had better get busy candling!!!

It turns out my mother has never candled eggs! *gasp* So I bundled them up and hauled them to her house (she lives in the basement apartment of my house, lol)... and she was quite impressed! She even got to see one move.

Annnnnd.... 6 of 6 seem to be doing great!
Except that the aircells aren't growing much... time to decrease humidity.

Now, for the NEXT HAL... I want show/breeder quality Dorkings, and Modern Game (bantams); and some recessive white Legbars. Then I am done acquiring breeds.

SO if I can get my hands on any of those eggs, I'll be signing up for the first HAL I can find, lol.

What color dorkings are you looking for? I like the silver gray dorkings.

Hmmmm. So, some of my air cells are much smaller than others. The blue and green eggs' cells are too small for this far along. Should I reduce the humidity? I'm really worried about the saddle-shaped air cells, which appear really big. The humidity is around 50%.

Has anyone ever sanded their dark eggs before incubating? I read that that might help with the evaporation. It also seems like it would sand off the bloom. I know it's too late to sand now, but for future reference.

I would lower the humidity--to 35%.

Sanding is risky--Misting the eggs once a day from day 8 to 18 will do the same thing--cause the eggs to lose moisture. let the eggs dry before putting the top back on. This will also let you use the cool down cycle.

 

[Aliciahess]

Too many days left to wait. Where is the fast forward button??! We still have Christmas, then my Birthday! Then finally, CHICKS!

But I'm telling myself, next week this time, they will be in lock down. So, yay!

And I gave up on breaking my 2 broody hens in the barn. So I have them a bunch of bantam eggs I can blame it on 4-H and the kids this time.

Whoop whoop...can't believe it's next week already. When is it bday? Mine is the 31st...hoping for some bday babies.

I can share in the frustration. I ordered 12 Welsummer and 12 Black Copper Maran eggs. I could only see development in about five of the Welsummer eggs... and NONE in the Black Copper Maran eggs. I'm REALLY hoping its just because the shells are darker. I'm going to be seriously bummed out if they end up being clears. The other eggs in my incubator are all going strong, through.

I have dark eggs too...I'm going crazy. So concerned I'm not doing something right. Ahhh! Now excuse while on go run upstairs to check temp, turn and worry.
Mostly worried I'm not turning enough. Gone all day 620am-530/6pm.

 

[Aliciahess]

Thanks! That makes me feel a little better. I've had some tough luck with shipped eggs lately (I guess that's pretty common, though). I always hope for 50% at best. But now I am more hopeful that my Black Copper Maran eggs will surprise me.

I'm technically in Vancouver, WA but attend college in Portland and travel through there frequently. I love Oregon.

I'll have to look out for that particular glow the next time I candle!

I'm so happy know there are chicken people close to me.

All the way in Yacolt here.