Beginner's Hatch-A-Long

[hunter109]

I got up this morn and checked it and it was going from 100.0to100.6 with the humitity of 43% and that's on a digital thermometer would that be ok I mean I am on day 3 so far

 

[dutchbunny83]

The most deviation I had was one thermometer read 2 degrees lower than the other - which is enough to decrease your hatch significantly.

You can calibrate mechanical (non electronic) thermometers relatively easily if they measure down to 32 degrees. Put ice in a cup (or pan or whatever works) and cold water over it, mix it/let set for at least 5 minutes with the thermometer inside not touching the sides of the container. It should measure about 32 degrees (freezing point of water). However many degrees off it is that is your answer.

Another way you test a thermometer is to get an oral thermometer in a cup of water near 98.6 degrees, they should be exceedingly accurate because lives quite literally depend on their accuracy.

Okay thanks.
I don't know why I didn't think of that!
The directions on them all said go against another thermometer you know to be right.
If I get one blue copper maran hen out of this (the eggs were insanely expensive), I will be happy.
We have about $80 of eggs in there right now, not the smartest thing to do on a first hatch attempt, but I told the kids they could pick out what they wanted...

 

[DavidKerk]

I got up this morn and checked it and it was going from 100.0to100.6 with the humitity of 43% and that's on a digital thermometer would that be ok I mean I am on day 3 so far

Are you using a still air or circulated?

 

[DavidKerk]

I just saw a pip almost the size of a dime! I am leaving until tomorrow at about 1:30 (then I'll be leaving again until Monday at noon.) Will the chick be okay in the incubator until Monday( or at least tomorrow)?

 

[scooter16]

Good luck with your hatch. I also received shipped eggs from quite a distance. Went into the bator on 4/25. I was initially very discouraged, because they all had totally scrambled air cells, but out of 14 eggs, I think at day 10--- 6 are viable...I was expecting one or none. One is pointy on both ends, one is totally small and round....? which end is up???, one is SO porous that I can't tell. I will be happy with 4-5 chicks at this point. I don't plan on shipping eggs again, unless it is a breed I can't get locally, and then I will order 25 to get 5-10 chicks. I think some of yours will hatch...don't give up. Settling for 24 hours before the bator is great. I am on my third hatch in 20 years...definitely no expert. Hope all goes well. LMS(scooter 16)

 

[mariama]

Checking in again, but I think we are going to end up with a huge failure over here. My homemade incubator cannot keep a constant temp, and it's been all over the place. We check it often, so it has never been really high or low for long, but I think the temps are just too wild for this to be anywhere near successful.

Will they start to smell at some point if any or all of them are no longer viable?

 

[Missyktsm]

So I had to toss 5 eggs last night...3 had blood rings and two were clear. I opened them to be sure (and to learn a little more) and one of the blood ring eggs had a noticeable forming embryo...made me sad to see the dead little guy. It also rammed home the fact that these little chicks are depending on me to hatch them. Kinda scary 'cause I have no idea what I'm doing.

On a positive note, I saw movement in 7 eggs! Yay! Really cool. I also have good forming air cells and several with really good veining. There may be a couple of more that are clear but I wasn't 100% sure so I'll check them again in a few days.

 

[ivyrash]

I have not heard anything from the person I originally purchased eggs from so in a week moment I bought some more and I have shipping conf. and know they are now in the same state I am in. I'm hoping maybe I will get a phone call from the place where they sort them today so I can run down and get them today instead of waiting another day. I am wondering if I should let them sit for a day to settle the air sacks before they go into the bator, any thoughts?

 

[EggieRowe]

I just saw a pip almost the size of a dime! I am leaving until tomorrow at about 1:30 (then I'll be leaving again until Monday at noon.) Will the chick be okay in the incubator until Monday( or at least tomorrow)?

Everything I've read says they can stay in there up to 48 hours. Opening the bator to remove chicks can cause problems for the others just pipping or wiggling out. They don't have to eat for 3 days after hatch, I think.

I have not heard anything from the person I originally purchased eggs from so in a week moment I bought some more and I have shipping conf. and know they are now in the same state I am in.  I'm hoping maybe I will get a phone call from the place where they sort them today so I can run down and get them today instead of waiting another day.  I am wondering if I should let them sit for a day to settle the air sacks before they go into the bator, any thoughts?

 

My shipper told me to hold them 24 hours before putting in bator so air cells can settle into place. You want them pointy end down in a carton or something during the settling.

 

[joceeghost]

Hi everyone I just hatched my first three eggs this weekend

I think it is going to be a partridge silkie