Am I screwed? Hatching right now.....*updated with pics*

[white01]

oh i cant wait to do that again, putting them in the bator tomorrow....

Congrats on all the newly hatched chicks, it sure is exciting no matter how many times you do it hehe

 

[happytxchick]

Just my random 2 cents worth:

I bought a couple of LG still airs to supplement my HovaBator this spring - big mistake. It may be working fine for you, but for me they stink. I should have either bought a fan kit or just bought more HovaBators. My hatch rates have been absolutely horrible with the LGs. I am going to get rid of them...have lost a ton of chicks this season. HovaBator gives me really high hatch rates even with still air (appx 98% each hatch, compared to MAYBE 50% with the LG).

I've asked my hubby for a Sportsman for Christmas this year and I'm going to get rid of all of my table tops.

If you have trouble/low hatch rates, you may consider switching to a HovaBator.

Good luck & congrats on the babies!

 

[Josh45640]

Ive got a hovabator also. I like it a lot better than the LG. Like I said, Im new to hatching so I started out cheap...lol

Ive got some Giant Blue Cochins and some bantams in the Hovabator right now. The ones in the LG were a test batch of mixed breed layers for me to start with. I deffinately dont think that I would try to hatch something that I had very much money invested in in the LG.

 

[TriciaHowe]

You can take the drying ones out if you want. You humidity is super high because of the drying chicks. DON'T add more water when you open it. Condensation shouldn't be there and I would let it vent a bit more.

 

[Josh45640]

Thanks, I wondered about the humidity. When I take them out, should I offer them food and water or wait until tomorrow?

 

[TriciaHowe]

you can offer them food and water if you want. I usually put a bit of chick starter on a paper towel for them to pick at. No newspaper in your brooder at all (not sure if you knew this or not, but just in case). If they don't eat/drink till tomorrow they will still be fine though. They kind of have an instinct to pick at things though.

 

[happytxchick]

Quote:
Yes, definitely don't. The first botched hatch I thought was a fluke, until I had two more to follow. I've put the LGs away.

Regarding your last question:
I provide water with appx a teaspoon of sugar to prevent hypoglycemia/give quick energy, and I spread the chick starter out on their paper towels so they can find it easily if they are interested. Some peck at it the first day, some the next. On about day three I start putting it in a feeder for them. I only do sugar water for the first couple of days (since some hatch later than others normally). Keep it changed regularly as bacteria love sugar!

 

[Josh45640]

Here are the first twelve. All seem to be healthy and active. One of the black ones has a deformity though. The outside toes on both feet are only 3/4 developed. So he has two stubby toes. Dosent seem to bother him though. If it does as he grows, ill cull him.

and one without the lamp for color...

 

[Josh45640]

Im up to 18 healthy, active, fluffy chics right now. It is day 23 now and I can still hear some chirping in the incubator. Two hatched yesterday and seem to be doing ok. Is this normal to have some "late bloomers"? How long should I let it go before I get rid of the leftover eggs and clean out the incubator? Ill get pics later.