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

[sekinkead]

Rin, I am so sorry! I haven't said anything because this is my first hatch to so I have 0 experience. Good luck with whatever you decide to do next.

 

[Suechick]

Rin, I'm sorry

 

[Suechick]

A note about to hatch in tray or not. I tried putting mine in an egg carton, just a strip of 1 well by 6 wells long. It didn't seem to stable. The first one out knocked them over on their sides. Two more chicks hatched out like this. But one had pipped on the other side of the carton. I think it drowned because of being on its side 'cause it hasn't done anything else. So, my conclusion is, a stable carton to keep the eggs upright can help so the chicks don't end up drowning when they pip and roll on their side. At this point, between my 2 hatches, I think I've lost more chicks that should have made it than I've hatched. But, we love the ones we've got.

 

[Rin]

I'm very sorry for bringing the whole mood of this topic down. I hope the rest of you have far better luck... far far better luck. I wouldn't wish how I felt right now on my worst enemies. I need to go lay down, really. Hopefully will feel better after a nap to clear my head.

 

[kooltex]

Awe, hang in there Rin.

 

[MTtroutwithwings]

Another note regarding "to tray or not to tray" during LD to hatch... I've done both. Pro and cons on the tray. Think like a chicken...huddle eggs in center of bator, maybe on a paper towel with the side rolled up to mimick a nest. Allows them to move around a little for pip & zip. Once hatched they'll find there way to the outside of the ring or "nest" to move freely and dry without disturbing the rest of the clutch. Remove each emptied shell after hatching...a hen does, so the next chick doesn't get caught on or in it, when time allows, of course, it's not critical. Some of us, unlike chickens, have employers to report to

. If needed and it's already set up, go ahead and move the chick to your brooder under the heatlamp. I move mine literally within 15 min after hatching (if I'm home) to the brooder. It's never been a problem. Sometimes they'll hatch in the middle of the night (while we're asleep) then just move them and clean out the empty shells then. Sometimes the chirping of the new chicks can encourage the rest to, Go for it!" Sometimes it's all a guessing game.

 

[kooltex]

Mine are locked down now, I am trying the carton hatch method. Past hatches I've layed them on their sides and had chicks that have piped and died before hatching, I'm thinking they drown or got kicked around so much they couldn't position properly. so thought I'd try the carton this time.

 

[MTtroutwithwings]

Quote:
Use cardboard cartons, not styrofoam and cut the bottoms out so air/humidity can circulate. Good luck!

 

[Rin]

Probably too soon but after a good nap I decided to maybe try again. In fact, the breeder who sent me this batch has another batch up for sale already. I just don't know if I should wait until spring when it gets more humid.. florida is dry as a bone during winter time, we don't even have snow to moisten things. Or just upgrade my incubator a bit... someone mentioned brinsea having a sale... I can't really afford the bigger/better ones. If i got one, it still wouldn't be the one with automatic humidity controls. But, apparently my incubator has issues holding humidity (hovabator) anyway. The mini eco advance looks like it'd hold moisture better. It's that or getting an automatic egg turner for my hova, installing a fan, running a tube through a vent to pour water down, and putting a warm humidifier in the room I keep it in. ... I dunno... i think i just had my heart so set for babies that seeing the empty brooder makes me panic/freak out.

That and noone seems to have non hatchery porcelain d'uccle day olds for sale anywhere... I got too attached to the idea of possibly showing them, too.

 

[kooltex]

Quote:
Use cardboard cartons, not styrofoam and cut the bottoms out so air/humidity can circulate. Good luck!

Yeah i used the paper ones and cut holes in the bottoms. Hoping for happy healthy chicks!!! This was also my first time using a fan in the bator. I'm always hesitant to change things, when they worked ok before, but if I can get even better hatches, I think its worth a try.