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

[CindyinSD]

With your incuvue, I've found you need to take it easy on the calibration. Even if it's off by nine degrees, only move it a few, then wait. I have no idea why this is so, but it is with mine.

Okay... so now I've read more and realize you went backwards. I've done that. You still need to take it easy though (ime). If my trusted thermometer says 97 and the incubator one says 100, I would take it down 2 degrees then come back in 10 minutes and reassess. Otherwise I often oversteer. I try to get the two to match by moving the incubator thermometer.

I think this may be because the incubator controller has oversteered and when I see it, it's in process of correcting. So what I do sometimes corrects to the wrong temperature. I would gladly have paid for them to have installed a better thermometer...

 

[Phillyndilly]

Well I’ve done pretty good picking which eggs are silkies- I’m pretty proud! The Sebright and silkies eggs look so much alike the only difference is a slight sheen and I tried to set all silkies. I did get one bantam who I almost lost during assisted but turned out ok. Also found one baby outside from my broody girls, it was in the coop but wandered out of the nest when I found him he was very cold barely moving i can’t believe it recovered but it did! After that I tooked the babies my girls hatched inside that was a close enough call for me so I took it as a sign. I’m so thankful it made it

 

[juliasflock]

First one out!

 

[My hen house]

This chicks seems to be breathing heavy and opening and closing its mouth often is this normal

 

[FortCluck]

View attachment 2090002

This chicks seems to be breathing heavy and opening and closing its mouth often is this normal

It's probably still absorbing the yolk. I wouldn't touch it.

 

[Akoharski4]

Switched out of red heat lamp light for a standard incandescent bulb. I felt like the red bulb (250w) was just too hot for them. Temp is reading 83 degrees. Is that reasonable for 2 week olds?

 

[My hen house]

Switched out of red heat lamp light for a standard incandescent bulb. I felt like the red bulb (250w) was just too hot for them. Temp is reading 83 degrees. Is that reasonable for 2 week olds?

If they are all avoiding the light then you can raise it

 

[My hen house]

It's probably still absorbing the yolk. I wouldn't touch it.

Just curious how long does that usually take

 

[FortCluck]

Just curious how long does that usually take

Depends. They can externally pip and not hatch up to 72 hours in my experience. Usually letting them wait is okay. Looks like that one has plenty of air so waiting won't hurt it. If it was in tons of fluid and malpositioned, I'd say help.

 

[CindyinSD]

Switched out of red heat lamp light for a standard incandescent bulb. I felt like the red bulb (250w) was just too hot for them. Temp is reading 83 degrees. Is that reasonable for 2 week olds?

You don't need a specific temperature so much as you need comfy chicks. If they cluster under the heat source, peeping loudly and/or huddle in a pile, they're too cold. If they avoid the heat source, they're too hot. If they run around in and out of the warm zone, eating, pecking, drinking, playing, they're just right.