April 2020 Hatch-A-Long! All are welcome!

[K0k0shka]

But mine have been upright in an egg turner for the past 18 days so would an egg carton hatch be better?

and what is everyones thoughts on pulling out chicks as they hatch, with a quick open close? I'd like to Mose them to the brooder- I have 40 chicks coming- its going to be busy! humidity is not a problem here in Ontario..my bator has been bone dry and still been on 48% humidity the whole time.
Does anyone do this? Put new chicks in brooder to warm up and dry out?

Yes, I had to keep taking chicks out because mine were hatching over the course of two days, and the early ones were getting overheated in the incubator (panting, and one got pasty butt as a result). I’d just let them dry and fluff up a bit for a few hours, then put them in the brooder. Worked out fine. Just as long as they always have a buddy, whether in the brooder, or the ones left in the incubator to dry. They get lonely and LOUD if they don’t have a friend. So I waited until I had 2 and moved them together, and when moving any subsequent chicks, I always left at least 2 in the incubator to keep each other company, even if one was dry and ready.

 

[Mablethechicken]

Is a pip still a pip if it’s just a crack with no “bump”? Will it still be able to get oxygen?

it’s like three little cracks that meet in the middle to form a “Y” but it’s flat no bump

 

[Minky]

Yes, I had to keep taking chicks out because mine were hatching over the course of two days, and the early ones were getting overheated in the incubator (panting, and one got pasty butt as a result). I’d just let them dry and fluff up a bit for a few hours, then put them in the brooder. Worked out fine. Just as long as they always have a buddy, whether in the brooder, or the ones left in the incubator to dry. They get lonely and LOUD if they don’t have a friend. So I waited until I had 2 and moved them together, and when moving any subsequent chicks, I always left at least 2 in the incubator to keep each other company, even if one was dry and ready.

Excellent, thank you.

 

[kelseyk]

Is a pip still a pip if it’s just a crack with no “bump”? Will it still be able to get oxygen?

it’s like three little cracks that meet in the middle to form a “Y” but it’s flat no bump

Yep.

 

[jolenesdad]

But mine have been upright in an egg turner for the past 18 days so would an egg carton hatch be better?

and what is everyones thoughts on pulling out chicks as they hatch, with a quick open close? I'd like to Mose them to the brooder- I have 40 chicks coming- its going to be busy! humidity is not a problem here in Ontario..my bator has been bone dry and still been on 48% humidity the whole time.
Does anyone do this? Put new chicks in brooder to warm up and dry out?

Hatching is sort of lots of experimenting until you find what works best for you, in your specific environment, in your specific incubator!

I was just saying earlier in the thread I really think opening and closing is related specifically to your incubator and how it handles and distributes humidity and loses it when you open. In my own, Brinsea, I find I have the best hatch rate without opening it, so I don’t anymore. I used to worry about soccer hockey until a broody hatch that I watched the entire time.Mid pip she takes an egg and flings it to the other side of the nest. Upside down, side to side, she doesn’t know any better, and they hatch just fine. Now I leave it closed up to 24 hours or so after the first hatch.

if you need to open, I try and do it when there are no pips. I also like the misting the bator when I do need to open.

my personal experience is anecdotal and I only did it one time, but hatching in cartons I had two or three eggs try and pip on the bottom. I have not done any carton hatching since then. I think it was mostly related to other issues I had in the batch, but I often have an egg or two pip on the Bottom and I don’t want to lose them.

 

[Mablethechicken]

The best part of incubating while in quarantine:
You have nothing else to do and no distractions so you can give all your attention to your eggs.

The worst part of incubating while in quarantine:
You have nothing else to do and no distractions so you can give all your attention to your eggs.

But with my incubator instead

 

[Mablethechicken]

Some say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

But I think I’ve found a new definition.

It’s taking a picture of a pip and then zooming in and comparing it side by side with another picture you took 6 hours ago of the same pip to discern whether or not your suspicions are correct that the tiny crack on the left side has indeed gotten a little bigger.

 

[jolenesdad]

Some say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

But I think I’ve found a new definition.

It’s taking a picture of a pip and then zooming in and comparing it side by side with another picture you took 6 hours ago of the same pip to discern whether or not your suspicions are correct that the tiny crack on the left side has indeed gotten a little bigger.

that’s just called hatching. we have definitely all been right there.

 

[Mablethechicken]

that’s just called hatching. we have definitely all been right there.

Hahaha my first ever hatch. I’m like is this normal? My husband thinks I’ve lost my mind.

 

[Mablethechicken]

Hahaha my first ever hatch. I’m like is this normal? My husband thinks I’ve lost my mind.

I just started another thread with a poll to try and get guesses of my mystery egg breeds. Would love some expert eyes to help guess! I’m dying to know!