8th-annual-byc-new-years-day-2017-hatch-a-long

[junebuggena]

What incubator are you using? Looks very nice!

Incuview. I love it.

 

[orrpeople]

Probably off topic a bit - but do any of you know a reputable "back yard" Bielefelder hobbyist that might sell hatching eggs? I do not hold out much hope for the ones remaining in my incubator, and although they were well packaged, etc., many were very poop stained (these quit early) and some not fertile at all. So I'm feeling a little leery of ordering from eBay again. I will be getting a few from Papas in January (local), but I'd really love to not breed direct relatives - regardless of the reputation some of our surrounding communities have!

 

[Justjered]

When is it "worth" candling the first time?

We did it yesterday on a couple (late day 3) just because we are super excited and it's our first time incubating/hatching eggs.

We did see several with veins visible and from what it looks like online I think the others aren't noticeable yet because of darker shells.

We will be gone day 7-9. should we candle prior on day 6 or just wait till day 10 when were back?

At what point do you decide if eggs are bad and dispose of them? Dont want any blowing up inside the incubator so just want to make sure were doing this part right.


Lastly, our incubator was factory set at 100 degrees. we have a cheap mercury thermometer in there that reads about 1.5 degrees lower than the incubators reading says.
Which would you believe? The digital incubator or a mercury thermometer? Thinkin I should hit up petsmart and buy a digital lizard temp gauge to verify temps.

 

[Justjered]

Probably off topic a bit - but do any of you know a reputable "back yard" Bielefelder hobbyist that might sell hatching eggs? I do not hold out much hope for the ones remaining in my incubator, and although they were well packaged, etc., many were very poop stained (these quit early) and some not fertile at all. So I'm feeling a little leery of ordering from eBay again. I will be getting a few from Papas in January (local), but I'd really love to not breed direct relatives - regardless of the reputation some of our surrounding communities have!

Ive heard nothing but good things about TJ's eggs from out in California. He's got eggs posted on the 48 hour auction post all the time.

 

[ronott1]

When is it "worth" candling the first time?

We did it yesterday on a couple (late day 3) just because we are super excited and it's our first time incubating/hatching eggs.

We did see several with veins visible and from what it looks like online I think the others aren't noticeable yet because of darker shells.

We will be gone day 7-9. should we candle prior on day 6 or just wait till day 10 when were back?

At what point do you decide if eggs are bad and dispose of them? Dont want any blowing up inside the incubator so just want to make sure were doing this part right.


Lastly, our incubator was factory set at 100 degrees. we have a cheap mercury thermometer in there that reads about 1.5 degrees lower than the incubators reading says.
Which would you believe? The digital incubator or a mercury thermometer? Thinkin I should hit up petsmart and buy a digital lizard temp gauge to verify temps.

Check air cell development on:

Easy to see into eggs can be checked for life on day 10 at the earliest for tossing. Hard to see into eggs I keep in until lockdown and toss only if the seep or stink.

 

[orrpeople]

When is it "worth" candling the first time?

We did it yesterday on a couple (late day 3) just because we are super excited and it's our first time incubating/hatching eggs.

We did see several with veins visible and from what it looks like online I think the others aren't noticeable yet because of darker shells. 

We will be gone day 7-9. should we candle prior on day 6 or just wait till day 10 when were back?

At what point do you decide if eggs are bad and dispose of them? Dont want any blowing up inside the incubator so just want to make sure were doing this part right.


Lastly, our incubator was factory set at 100 degrees. we have a cheap mercury thermometer in there that reads about 1.5 degrees lower than the incubators reading says. 
Which would you believe? The digital incubator or a mercury thermometer? Thinkin I should hit up petsmart and buy a digital lizard temp gauge to verify temps. 

Day 5 is usually a good indicator, but many of us here would say that guess it starts to smell, leave questionable ones in a little longer. Also, there are "don't candle" days (I believe it's because of eye development) between days 10-14.

 

[Justjered]

Check air cell development on:

Easy to see into eggs can be checked for life on day 10 at the earliest for tossing. Hard to see into eggs I keep in until lockdown and toss only if the seep or stink.

Rogo. Will look at checking them again after we get back. should be at day 10. Will check for smelly eggs before we go.

Thanks for the quick reply. So anxious to see what we end up with... I'm ready for Jan 6th now! LOL

 

[orrpeople]

Ive heard nothing but good things about TJ's eggs from out in California. He's got eggs posted on the 48 hour auction post all the time. 

I looked for the 48 hour auction... could you post a link? I'm sometimes a little "navagationally" impaired!

 

[junebuggena]

Probably off topic a bit - but do any of you know a reputable "back yard" Bielefelder hobbyist that might sell hatching eggs? I do not hold out much hope for the ones remaining in my incubator, and although they were well packaged, etc., many were very poop stained (these quit early) and some not fertile at all. So I'm feeling a little leery of ordering from eBay again. I will be getting a few from Papas in January (local), but I'd really love to not breed direct relatives - regardless of the reputation some of our surrounding communities have!

@Chickielady
She's in Southern Washington, about 9 hours driving time from Redding. Her birds are beautiful.

 

[Justjered]

I looked for the 48 hour auction... could you post a link? I'm sometimes a little "navagationally" impaired!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/754060/the-new-crazy-24hr-auction-thread/12880#post_17863660