Anyone else hatching Feb. 1st?

[hippichick]

Man, that stinks. You went through alot of trouble to get those too. Sounds like they just weren't fertile, since you picked them up and they didn't go through the mail. I really feel bad for you.

Paula

 

[GardeNerd]

I'm so sorry to hear that.

 

[Fox]

Quote:
I am sorry! I wonder if they would replace the eggs for you since none were fertile? I know you are so disappointed, but I am glad you at least have some others that will hatch for you!

 

[Fox]

Quote:
I did... one EE was not fertile, so I took it out and cracked it open and it definitely was not fertile. I believe the others all are. I saw movement in two of the Silkie eggs. They just look a little small to me, but I have only hatched once before and that was under a heat lamp. I was told by a friend that the growth might have been more (under the lamp) since my temps got too warm at times. So maybe I am just not used to seeing eggs incubating under a hen. It could be the others are quitters, but I just don't know at this point and I am going to just let her set on them and we will see what hatches. I am excited, but a little concerned too. I think you can't help, but be. She is sitting on 4 Silkies eggs, 1 EE, and 2 cross-breeds. The father is Cochin/Plymouth Rock and the mother is Barred Rock I think. It's either that or the father is Cochin/Barred Rock and the mother Plymouth Rock. They were from a neighbor along with the EE.

She probably had too many eggs under her for her size; she is small. It looked like she could cover them, but since the Silkie egg development looked small, like a slower development, it makes me think maybe she couldn't cover them as well. You ask yourself a million questions! LOL! So now she is sitting on 7 eggs, four very small, three large. I am still hoping for a good hatch, but I'm not as confident as I was. I am pretty sure the "mutts" will hatch fine. They all seem very active! Figures! But I am anxious to see what they will look like. I think they will still be a nice egg layer.

I had a Silkie hen sitting on eggs for me this past month. She was sitting on 9 Sebright and D'Uccle eggs, and she covered them well. The problem was that she'd get off the nest once a day, and couldn't get back in. The nesting box was sitting on the floor, but the crazy hen just couldn't figure out how to get in, so she'd just sit on the side of the box next to them. Every day, I'd put her back in. I figured there was no hope, but she ended up hatching 4 of them out. But they didn't hatch till day 25 and day 26. I never would've thought they'd hatch, but they did. Ya never know.

Paula

That's good to know. Mine gets in and out ok, but she does go off everyday. Maybe it will just take a little longer to hatch. I'll be going crazy everyday I have to wait, but... it's good to know it's possible. Thanks Paula!

 

[RooptyDoo]

How are everyones eggs doing? Mine are still doing great!

 

[GardeNerd]

I think we have at least 3 doing okay. We haven't been candling them all each time we candled, to limit the handling by the kids. I think at least 2 out of the 9 white ones in the incubator stopped developing around day 10, but since they don't smell bad, we are leaving them, just in case.

 

[hippichick]

Putting mine into the hatcher tomorrow!! I haven't candled again, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed, especially since it's my very first hatch in my new Dickey incubator. Stressing just a little about that.

How's everyone else?

Paula

 

[Fox]

Well, mine are under the hen, so I am just hoping all is well! Only a few days left to wait to find out!!

 

[hippichick]

Good luck, Fox! Hope they all hatch for you. I just put mine into the hatching tray. Now the hard part begins.............

Paula

 

[whudson]

My first hatch is due this Friday (the 28th).

So I decided to start upping the humidity last night, and couldn't get it up, So I added a tin pan of water AND some sponges.

It got up to 50% and I went to bed.

I awoke this morning and the humidity was at 47% and the temp said 112 (Yikes!)
I tested the wiggly and it was at 107.

I candled & saw movement, so put them back in and I'm adjusting the temp a little at a time.

The only holes I have open are four small air vents.

Any other suggestions for getting the humidity up? Tips or tricks?