Breeding and Raising and Hatching of Barnyard Chickens!!!!!!!!!!

[DUCKOBSESSED]

For chickens i did 45% then up to 70% I love the fact that i look through the window and see everything without opening it.

 

[COChix]

You are right, conddensation is more than enough. Have you ever checked the hygrometer for accuracy? Ambient humidity does affect the bator's humidity,but  normally you don't see condensation at that low of hudmidity. What kind of incubator are you using? Just curious. I like to expand my theories and knowledge as often and as much as I can.

I have two different digital hygrometers in the bator, I take an average of the two readings. I am using a FI 4200 auto turner and fan and this is with no plugs in. It is a used bator I picked up from a fellow BYC'er.

 

[COChix]

@AmyLynn2374 are you suppose to leave the turner in but unplug it? Or do you remove and lay the eggs on their sides? Do I need egg cartons to hold them upright?

 

[holm25]

Amy Lynn I open it to. I just meant dont leave it open for long periods.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

@AmyLynn2374 are you suppose to leave the turner in but unplug it? Or do you remove and lay the eggs on their sides? Do I need egg cartons to hold them upright?

I would remove the turner, they can cause leg injuries to the hatched chicks. You can either lay them down or hatch them upright in cut out cartons. I lay my down. I use the rubber shelf lining that you can get at the dollar store over my screen. Lots of people hatch out in the cartons, I don't like the fact that if a chick is malepositioned and pips into the bottom of the egg you can't see them in the egg cartons and I believe it highers the risk for any malepositioned chicks. It's one of those comfort level things.

 

[COChix]

I would remove the turner, they can cause leg injuries to the hatched chicks. You can either lay them down or hatch them upright in cut out cartons. I lay my down. I use the rubber shelf lining that you can get at the dollar store over my screen. Lots of people hatch out in the cartons, I don't like the fact that if a chick is malepositioned and pips into the bottom of the egg you can't see them in the egg cartons and I believe it highers the risk for any malepositioned chicks.  It's one of those comfort level things. 

I have the rubber shelf liner in and have laid the eggs on their side. I have a bowl with distilled water in it with a small sponge resting in the bowl. I have added another digital hygrometer that we use in our greenhouses as it is more accurate. I have the second bator up and running with lining in it as well. My plan is to transfer the dry chicks to the second bator while the other eggs pipping and unzipping. It seems a little crowded with 28 eggs.

Thanks again!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I have the rubber shelf liner in and have laid the eggs on their side. I have a bowl with distilled water in it with a smack sponge resting in the bowl. I have added another digital hygrometer that we use in our greenhouses as it is more accurate. I have the second bator up and running with lining in it as well. My plan is to transfer the dry chicks to the second bator while the other eggs pipping and unzipping. It seems a little crowded with 28 eggs.

My second hatch I was leaving the chicks in to dry and had something like 7/8 chicks running around and bouncing off the walls and the thermometers and the sponges. Now the lg's aren't small, but when you have 7-8 lively chicks trying to play king of the mountain on the thermometer that's not good. That was the first time I had a chick get hurt in the incubator. I think that my one little roo hatchling got pushed off and took his beak on the thermometer cause there was a yelp and flopping and blood on my thermometer. I grabbed him out to find he had a chipped beak that was bleeding a little. He ended up being fine and the chip wasn't big enough to hinder his eating and it grew out (named him Chip while I had him....) That's when I started taking them out in 2'3 and 3's so there wasn't as many bouncing around. They can bounce all the want in the brooder...lol I figured it was probably a freak thing and I was overreacting, but I wasn't taking the chances. Then after the last hatch and having two chicks get hurt with the fan I just said forget this, you guys are safer in the brooder. Not to mention I think they fluff up better and quicker under the brooder lights.

 

[DUCKOBSESSED]

I would remove the turner, they can cause leg injuries to the hatched chicks. You can either lay them down or hatch them upright in cut out cartons. I lay my down. I use the rubber shelf lining that you can get at the dollar store over my screen. Lots of people hatch out in the cartons, I don't like the fact that if a chick is malepositioned and pips into the bottom of the egg you can't see them in the egg cartons and I believe it highers the risk for any malepositioned chicks. It's one of those comfort level things.

I hatched in cartons for the first time last hatch and was worried about that too. So every time i took out a chick i made sure to check for piped at the wrong end. I found that one was and flipped it so the wrong side was up. It hatched fine. It was the best hatch rate i have ever had.

 

[I Love Layers]

 

[DUCKOBSESSED]

Cute Chicks! How old are they?