April 2023 Hatch-A-Long

[Honora]

You're going to have the hardiest chicks EVER!

If they hatch! I’m hoping to get a few at least. But I hope I have now figured out how to use this incubator and that things will go better for my May hatch. We are going to have a great hatch next month right?

 

[Waterfaery]

Ok major facepalm here! I have been wondering why the air cells are so small on my eggs, and I realized today that I have had the air vent closed the whole time. And @Waterfaery even asked me if I was sure the air vent was open and I was like “yes!” Well, clearly I am still figuring this new incubator out but at least I know for next time. I am actually surprised these eggs are still alive after all they have been through this hatch!

I'm sure it will be fine. The important thing is to have the vent open when they're hatching.

I know I'm not the most experienced but what I have experienced so far is massive air cells, tiny air cells, too much weight loss, too little weight loss and everything in between and it doesn't seem to have made much of a difference. And remember they probably hadn't drawn down yet when you candled because they might be a bit late. Yes, they will be hardy little cuties when they hatch.

 

[HipMystic]

We have chicks! This is probably the most “hands-off” batch I’ve ever had - I candled a few random eggs maybe twice and put them in lockdown, other than that I haven’t touched them

Thread 'Sex-Link Chick?'
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/sex-link-chick.1574624/

 

[emgrider]

Not again. Apparently, I need to post this in the May hatch-a-long.
One of my pretty wheaten games (my faves) has come down with the broody bug. I was able to mark and date this batch since I know the other girls will lay under her.
She has 2 green EE eggs, 2 game eggs, and 3 browns that could be from my Sapphire Gem, Dominique, or Light Sussex hens. I can’t tell their eggs apart.
My roosters are complete Heinz 57’s, but one has to be a Sumatra cross, another a Leghorn cross, and the last guy is a who knows?! I’m posting pics of them if you have any recommendations of what they may be. The only birds in my entire flock that I’ve bought are my four EE’s. The rest were given lol!
For the record, I was brave doing this. She bites and twists!!!

 

[Dinoroar]

I am currently very discouraged and depressed. Out of 69 eggs, I got three live chicks.

I'm returning the new incubator that killed all my babies. I also wrote a strongly worded letter to Little Giant.

This is terrible!!! So sorry that happened

 

[Nomadicus]

I think the mystery of the black chicks is solved. My wife put in 7 of the pet eggs, eggs from free range RIR hens that free range with a black sex link rooster. He has proven himself potent. There are at least 4 black chicks this morning but it's hard to count through the little windows when they are trying out for the bowling league with their siblings still in their shells.

Finished up the hatch with 5 black with a spot on the top of their heads.

 

[Iluveggers]

Finished up the hatch with 5 black with a spot on the top of their heads.

Wont they all have a spot if the rooster is barred? Spot only means male if the hen is barred & roo is not.

 

[NagemTX]

Out of all 24 I hatched 12, broody out of 14 hatched 12. Also lost one of the bantams to pasty but . I was unable to check on Stars bunch till noonish due to vertigo issues I was having most of the morning. (Even called into work because I didn't want drive.)

Soon as TSC has more I'll get 4 and have them in the XMaxx box brooder I made at last minute.

 

[Nomadicus]

Wont they all have a spot if the rooster is barred? Spot only means male if the hen is barred & roo is not.

Then maybe I'll get a barred hen.. or 2. The rooster is a barred black sex link and the hen RIR. As soon as Barred Rock pullets become available next spring I want a dozen or so.

 

[Waterfaery]

The first one is out and all of the others have pipped. This one is a little Light Sussex.