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

[karenerwin]

So far only 4 have hatched out of 21 or 22 eggs. 3 black chicks and 1 yellow chick. Hoping I may still get a few more. I think my temps were a tad low, so I am giving them a few extra days. Plan to move the 4 of them out to a brooder tomorrow.

 

[karenerwin]

For local eggs, your or others, hatching position is not as critical. You can hatch upright or on sides.

What do you mean by move to cartons? You want to try hatching upright? I'm a bit of a mad scientist. I love experimenting and trying new things. So I say go for it! But if that's going to cause you anxiety and second guessing the don't do it! Your call friend.

Yes, holes are added for increased airflow. I feel the cartons have enough airflow because the eggs don't fit super tight in them. Just my thoughts.

I have hatched eggs up right in egg cartons before. It worked great! I think the recommendation is to use the styrofoam ones because the cardboard ones soak up the humidity and can get wet possibly causing problems. ( But it's been a few years so you might want to fact check that in case my memory is wrong)!

 

[AltonaAcres]

12 button quail eggs on day 1 over here

 

[jolenesdad]

My stepped on egg just hatched! I got up middle of the bright and still veins. I never thought I’d really make it in time. That membrane was like LEATHER and there’s no way it could have broken out on its own. Woohoo! It’s either black or blue Whiting True Blue. I’m going to go out at sunrise and see how many momma has left. At the 24 hour mark From her first hatch around noon, I’m moving her with whatever babies she has. I’m going to add this cutie and I’ll put any eggs That haven’t hatched back in the bator.

 

[donddon]

First pip! 1 of 6, a day early, time to get the brooders in order...

 

[Bookworm0124]

I went to move the TWO babies to the brooder and discovered a third had hatched. Listening to them playing egg soccer right now

 

[Minky]

I have an endless supply of dried pine needles (we have lots of forest)- can I use these in the brooder, newspaper is hard to come by and I hate wood shavings. I have hay- but not straw. Pine needles would be my first choice to use, though...thoughts?

 

[Mablethechicken]

Internal pip?

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I have an endless supply of dried pine needles (we have lots of forest)- can I use these in the brooder, newspaper is hard to come by and I hate wood shavings. I have hay- but not straw. Pine needles would be my first choice to use, though...thoughts?

I use equine pine pellets in the brooder personally but I have seen people use pine needles. Cedar shavings are what you want to avoid and straw can sometimes encourage mites and lice because of the perfect little tubes to live in. Other than that you can get away with quite a lot. Broody hens will sometimes set up their nests under pine trees and make almost a tunnel to their nest, lol. My hens and chicks have lots of access to pine needles with no issues.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Internal pip?View attachment 2110226

Looks like it!