American serama thread!

[cluck-cluck]

If you candle it, and see it's beak, you should see it panting. If it's alive and panting, you can carefully poke a hole at the air sack and remove enough shell and membrane to allow air inside, then put it back in the incubator , making sure you continue to keep the humidity up high. That way, the bird can take it's time and not run out of air, and the humidity should keep it from shrink wrapping.

 

[serama hen]

what is the best type of incubator for serama eggs something nice small and convinient

 

[cluck-cluck]

Wow, Aschenfire, Autumn is really looking different! Amazing how the incoming feathers can be such a different color from the down, no?

Congratulations, Julie! Cute new babies and your daughter is adorable!

 

[serama hen]

my uncle promised if i did good in school this marking period hed buy me an incubato and serama hatching eggs i cant wait but what incubator is the best for serama eggs dont wanna make him poor

 

[cluck-cluck]

I made mine out of a cooler from Walmart like this:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/LIFOAM-22-Quart-Styrofoam-Cooler/16537214

I could fit 15 regular eggs in it, if I didn't put a thermostat in there, or risked putting one on top of the eggs.

Ok, pictures are out of order, but here goes anyway:

Pre-1: here you can see the carton and pipe section




1., here you can see the carton I cut holes in the bottom of for better air circulation and temperature distribution. Note on the left side is a length of 1 1/2" PVC pipe to prop up one end at a time, thus "turning" the eggs all at once.



2. Here you can see the top of my incubator, I cut out a hole (it could be smaller) and taped on glass from a picture frame. The glass was nearly the size of my lid, but doesn't have to be. That's why you see the duck tape around the edges, it's where the glass ends


3. Inside, you can see the parts to the incubator. You have to hook the light bulb (I used a small style lightbulb, used the set you can buy at home depot)
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...eyword=light+chord&storeId=10051#.UIyN3VHsZTY
. It's just the plug, an on off switch in the chord (the turning thing) and the socket (which has side stabilizer thingies you can cut off or keep (I kept them and let them dig into the cooler) You can see all the parts marked below if you click on it and get the full size image:


Note: I put WAY too many holes in my 'bator. You only need 2 vent holes. I hung everything up on the wire with wire. I take the eggs out of the carton, and put a layer of paper towels down before setting the eggs down during lockdown (a lot of downs there, LOL) and add that third water container, and fill 'em all up. I like that my two sushi plates are square and fit well in there, but I have to refill them a lot (use a 1/2" clear plastic tube and funnel you can get from Home depot)

This thing is small enough that you don't have to worry too much about opening the lid, it gets back up to temperature and humidity really fast. Still, if I have to open it up during lockdown, or if I can't keep humidity up as high as I want it, I spray water with a sprayer before closing. (not on the eggs, usually on the lid from afar-ish and let the mist settle downwards)

Also, this is the thermostat you need:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...+heater+thermostat&storeId=10051#.UIyOWlHsZTY

Hope that helps?

There is a lot of information on youtube as well as this site regarding wiring, but if you don't understand, just send me a PM

 

[Tripp16]

If you candle it, and see it's beak, you should see it panting. If it's alive and panting, you can carefully poke a hole at the air sack and remove enough shell and membrane to allow air inside, then put it back in the incubator , making sure you continue to keep the humidity up high. That way, the bird can take it's time and not run out of air, and the humidity should keep it from shrink wrapping.

Thanks! I pipped it and the chicks breathing but not peeping. Could that be a problem with the chick? Is it common in seramas. I have hatched tons of other breeds but these seramas are soo hard! So should I just give it time or let help it every now and then?

 

[cluck-cluck]

I don't think it matters if it makes noise (peeps) and as long as it gets air and stays moist with humidity really high, it should come out when it's ready, or else you could pull off more shell (without cutting into the membrane it's in, just the top of the shell, and it'll be enough for the chick to walk out of. I did that once with another chick. I carefully peeled off it's upper shell but not removing more than where the air sack was. I could see blood veins, so I stopped and left him in the incubator. I checked on him and he was alive until one time I checked and he was out! Didn't have to zip or anything. just needed to finish absorbing blood and yolk. Of course, I shouldn't have bothered him, he probably would have been ok, but he was the last one and I was worried. He really just needed more time. I figure you risk either way...?

 

[artsyrobin]

what is the best type of incubator for serama eggs something nice small and convinient

i use a brinsea mini, enough for 7 - 10 serama eggs, and all you do is pop them in, set the days, and fill the resovour and wait.... very simple



and these little darlings were hatched in it

 

[Tripp16]

I don't think it matters if it makes noise (peeps) and as long as it gets air and stays moist with humidity really high, it should come out when it's ready, or else you could pull off more shell (without cutting into the membrane it's in, just the top of the shell, and it'll be enough for the chick to walk out of. I did that once with another chick. I carefully peeled off it's upper shell but not removing more than where the air sack was. I could see blood veins, so I stopped and left him in the incubator. I checked on him and he was alive until one time I checked and he was out! Didn't have to zip or anything. just needed to finish absorbing blood and yolk. Of course, I shouldn't have bothered him, he probably would have been ok, but he was the last one and I was worried. He really just needed more time. I figure you risk either way...?

I dont want to risk this one not making it. I peeled off the top of the shell and now I can see the membrane. Im going to bed and going to watch some tv to take my mind off of it. Hopefully it will make some progress on its own....

 

[cluck-cluck]

OH, totally didn't understand the question, LOL Aren't Uncles awesome? I think artsyrobin is right on that one. The brinsea mini is pretty awesome, they make some of the best incubators