Anyone hatching Dec 14th? Looking for hatching buddies for 1st hatch!

[catwalk]

You need two incubators. One will be your lockdown/hatcher. If you go out and get a styrofoam box, lamp kit, and thermostat right now, you can have it set up in no time! Actually, you wouldn't even need the styrofoam box. Any well- insulated, non-flamable container should work. If you didn't need your hot water heater for a few days, you may not even need to go outside the home to get everything together......

 

[MuranoFarms]

I'm going to have to make one for lockdown. I really didn't intend to have these be staggered! I ordered them all the same day from different sellers, who all said they'd ship Monday. 2 Shipped Monday, 1 Tuesday and 1 Saturday! Since I'm starting out staggered, when I saw the ad for the ones I bought last night, I figured "why not?"

For now I have them all marked, (White's & Blues went in first...then mixed, tonight lavender) and I'm keeping records on any that get tossed. I don't have high expectations for the first 2 sets, simply because I didn't have a good enough thermometer for 2 days. Then the humidity gauge I bought that I thought was accurate...turned out not to be. Now I'm getting it right, but it might be too late for the first ones. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and trying to be realistic at the same time

whoops: edited to add...mine holds 40 with the turner in.

 

[kooltex]

We all need a 12 step program...hehehe.....buncha addicts!

 

[4CrazyGirlz]

That makes sense. I am going to have to work on that second bator for lock down.

Is anyone else putting them in the egg carton for lock down? I was reading that several people increased their hatch rate by doing that. So I thought I would give it a shot. To me it seems like it would be harder to hatch vertically, but I guess not. It makes sense that it would encourage them to pip at the right end, and definitely less "bowling" going on after hatching etc. Does anyone think that is a bad idea?

 

[MuranoFarms]

Somebody needs to invent something less like an egg carton and more like those 'egg carton' design foam bed pads for lockdown! Something kinda soft with a little give to it. lol

 

[4CrazyGirlz]

Ok, another question....for those who have hatched before.....when so you start hearing noises in the eggs or seeing movement (not them moving in the egg, but the egg moving as they move around inside)?

 

[JessaLynn]

Mine are due the 17th! I have 8 Delawares in the bator and 6 surprise breeds. So far 8 are developing.The other not sure yet.I'll candle again tonight to see.
You start hearing them on day of the hatch most of the time.They start rocking and a rolling on day 18 if you watch carefully.Not always but alot of times.This is my 6th hatching! I never tried the egg carton thing.I rather mimic the way they would lay in the nest.I had a broody hatch out 4 babies before.It was so awesome!

 

[Imagesoart]

Is 21 days the date most of the chicks hatch? Or are some early or late?

 

[Imagesoart]

OK, Here is the reason for my question. The eggs have not arrived and I guess they will on Monday. So, then 21 days later, we may be out of town for a few days. Here's another question, how long can you keep them until you put them in the bator?

 

[catwalk]

Quote:
Yes, you can add a range around the 21 day mark. They say you can save eggs up to 10 days after laying before incubation, but shipped eggs are better off going right in after "settling" for a few hours.

And if you're going to be away during the hatch, you won't be plastered to the bator, imagining all sorts of things (ie. Did the eggs move, or did I bump it? Is that a pip or lint on the egg?)