7th Annual BYC New Year's Day 2016 Hatch-A-Long

[ronott1]

The thermometer that came with the incubator was almost always sitting at 99.5  I let it set for 4 days and made sure it was adjusted to that.  Using my hand held laser gun thermometer, the interior of the incubator reads nothing higher than 93'.  I have a digital thermometer to set inside, and while I can test that for humidity, I cannot confirm its accuracy with temperature.  Any ideas?

Laser thermometers are not super accurate. Use a thermometer that reads in tenths--so that you can see 9.5 for instance. There is a big diference between 99 and 99.5 and if the thermometer does not read in tenths, you can be anywere in the 99 range.

Verify and calibrate your digital thermometer.

I use a brinsea spot check--They are very accurate. Bama has one now and is having great hatches!

 

[prizepete]

huf. I had to wait to post about my candling last night because of how bad it is. out of the nine I had shipped to me (the ones that I was really upset about the way they where shipped) I have ONE Maybe. I payed 35$ for them plus shipping.

. out of the three that I got from my friend one was clear... the other two are developing and air cells look really good. Oh and the maybe has a completely rolling air cell. Not only that, one of the eggs started OOZING. Seriously?! I have had enough trouble with these eggs. Next hatch I am not going to do shipped eggs

 

[KYTinpusher]

@RavynFallen : most of my female isbars are from @KYTinpusher 's eggs. @KYTinpusher knows more about this breed than anyone imho.

Can't Ovate, but I agree... KYT is in my top 5 on BYC...

Awww shucks, you are too kind. You are making me blush.

So how many weeks do chicks need a heatclamp, and when are they considered fully feathered?

That depends on your set-up. If the chicks are in the house where the temps are warmer, or you are in an area that is warmer this time of year, they may only need the heat lamp for 4 or 5 weeks. They should be pretty much fully feathered by then. However, different breeds feather in at different rates. Just watch them and see when they are spending a large majority of time away from the heated area, including while sleeping.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Laser thermometers are not super accurate. Use a thermometer that reads in tenths--so that you can see 9.5 for instance. There is a big diference between 99 and 99.5 and if the thermometer does not read in tenths, you can be anywere in the 99 range.

Verify and calibrate your digital thermometer.

I use a brinsea spot check--They are very accurate. Bama has one now and is having great hatches!

Bama also junked his LG and upgraded to a Genesis...

 

[Ravynscroft]

Awww shucks, you are too kind. You are making me blush. That depends on your set-up. If the chicks are in the house where the temps are warmer, or you are in an area that is warmer this time of year, they may only need the heat lamp for 4 or 5 weeks. They should be pretty much fully feathered by then. However, different breeds feather in at different rates. Just watch them and see when they are spending a large majority of time away from the heated area, including while sleeping.

Your reputation precedes you...

 

[KYTinpusher]

Your reputation precedes you...

 

[Ravynscroft]

Stand up and be proud!!! I meant that in the most positive way!!

 

[OneMountainAcres]

I candled tonight of all the eggs that I could actually see into, only one looks like it might be a quitter but I'm not 100% sure so it's staying in. Most of them had excellent veining and lots of movement. I couldn't see into the Marans eggs at all so as long as they don't stink, they stay in lol.

 

[Pensmaster]

Thank you. Yes I've had air sacs totally destroyed before. I've not seen the drop off on the conveyor belt but I have had a former employee of a rather large shipping firm that told me what they did to packages marked Fragile. Let's just say he was rather shocked by my 30 second tirade on him for all of us that recieve Fragile marked boxes.
The box these eggs came in was smashed on the bottom.
I've never used the carton hatching method. What is the technique too get the egg slanted towards the sun. Is it an egg carton you are speaking of? I know to put x on largest spot of sac and keep it upward when laying in hatching incubator but hatching chicks mess that up in short order.

 

[BullChick]

I just set my new batch of duck eggs today, and they got candled! Who waits a whole week?!?!