APRIL HATCH-A-LONG come join in

[sgtmck1]

This is the first time I have ever tried this. Read about it and gave it try. Made the incubater out of an old freezer. Bought 12 eggs at local auction. We have 6 RIR. Two eggs left to hatch. Three never did anything one died about 1/2 way. Still building the coop. Now I have a few questions. When should I move them to the brooder? They are already pooping in the incubater. How long befor giving up on the two unhatched eggs? This is the 2nd day of the hatch. My wife keeps making fun of me saying I am acting like a mother hen. The kids have asked me to stop saying now I know the joy of parent hood.

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Woohoo, always love hearing about chicks hatching and pipping and running around all cute and dried off!

I can't leave my eggs alone when it comes to candling. It's now the beginning of day eleven, and I just had to go through and check all the eggs again. There were definitely some that weren't developing or quitters, a few kind of confusing eggs that could or could not be good, and LOTS of healthy-looking squirmy embryos! It's silly, but I only just realized how much easier it is to see the embryos moving when I shine the flashlight in the air bubble side as opposed to the bottom. I should have thought of that earlier. I'm so excited about this hatch that it's going by really slowly. I need to find something to pass the time! But hey, it's only a little over a week until lockdown, and when I put it that way it doesn't feel as long.

Good thing I have classes to keep me busy, otherwise I would probably do little else other than stare at the incubator. Which, I'm sure we all know, is not conducive to making the hatch go any faster.

 

[Kismet]

Quote:
Are you sure you set them on March 29? Today is only April 11 - how could they be ready so fast?

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

Ok, I don't know what I am doing wrong....everyone here is having success and I am Thrilled for you all. My first hatch with my new incubator I only got 6 babies, cute as can be and growing wonderfully. I read some things that I did wrong and this time corrected them and put 38 eggs in the incubator and only got 4....again cute as can be but this is frustrating.....I AM NOT GIVING UP by no means and will start another hatch probably in another week or so. I did lock down at 18 days,filled the second tray with water, and did not turn the eggs after lockdown or even open the incubator, and still nothing....one chick cracked his shell open, but couldn't make it out....finally on the 24th day, I helped him out but he died....so I just have the 4....please help me.....I will say one thing..I forgot to get a hydromoter to measure the moisture so I am going to get one this week for sure....

 

[lilchik]

My eggs are due to hatch tomorrow, the 12th. Came home from work this morning and one has hatched. None of the others are pipped yet. Hopefully will see some progress when I get up later today. I am going to be patient this time and try my hardest to get through lockdown WITHOUT opening the bater to take chicks out. I usually take them out every few hours, but last hatch lost some that pipped then died. So I WILL leave the bator closed!!! I know I can do it...

Wish me luck!

 

[BantamHeart]

Ok so I have been reading about everybody's hatches....very exciting!!!! I have seven little bantam frizzle eggs....I will go into lock down this week on Thursday...will be here trying to stay distracted

 

[GreenGoddess]

D'Angelo N Va. :

Ok, I don't know what I am doing wrong....everyone here is having success and I am Thrilled for you all. My first hatch with my new incubator I only got 6 babies, cute as can be and growing wonderfully. I read some things that I did wrong and this time corrected them and put 38 eggs in the incubator and only got 4....again cute as can be but this is frustrating.....I AM NOT GIVING UP by no means and will start another hatch probably in another week or so. I did lock down at 18 days,filled the second tray with water, and did not turn the eggs after lockdown or even open the incubator, and still nothing....one chick cracked his shell open, but couldn't make it out....finally on the 24th day, I helped him out but he died....so I just have the 4....please help me.....I will say one thing..I forgot to get a hydromoter to measure the moisture so I am going to get one this week for sure....

Sorry to hear you are having so much trouble.. If they are pipping but not making it out, I would say that humidity may have something to do with that since you really don't know what it is.. If the room you have your bator in is dryer then your humidity in the bator would be affected.. There are lots of people on here who have a store bought bator, fill all the trays and still need to add humidity from another source (such as folded washcloth, darn paper towel or maxi pad)... When you do get a hygrometer, at least you can rule that problem out or fix it..

Goddess

 

[chickenmeadow]

Quote:
Welcome new member to the BYC & to this thread! If you get a chance, check out page 1 of this thread. You'll see a list of info that I've collected regarding incubation. Everything is posted here for guidelines, with experience & intuition you will find what works best for you & your equipment as you go. Best wishes on your 1st incubation! Enjoy the parenthood!

 

[chickenmeadow]

Quote:
Welcome to the BYC & to this thread. Yes, stay distracted; it's hard to keep one's mind off of the eggs. Good luck with that!

 

[chickenmeadow]

Quote:
Congrats on your chicks! I leave mine in the incubator for 12 to 24 hrs if needed; at least leave them in til they dry. I leave eggs in the bator about 3-4 days pass due date. Have fun with the chicks