BYC's 2021 Spooktacular Halloween Hatch-Along!

[pennyJo1960]

I hatched number 4 or the peep did 4 of 4 2 black two buff

 

[Tclloyd0812]

Hi guys! Just wanted to ask whats your experience with hatching in winter? I am thinking about incubating 6 eggs and I'm not sure if the chicks need extra care or not. Winter temperatures range from around -10 to -23 so it is quite cold. How long do the chicks need to be inside? Thanks!

When are your coldest months? Ours are usually January through March, last year getting down to -6 (the feel like temp was -18!!) and I'm in Northern Arkansas.
My experience raising chicks in cold weather is a little tougher than raising them otherwise, but I can definitely say your winters are colder than mine typically are.
Usually what we do is confine the chicks in a plywood box that is 4×4ft (four walls, and half-roof so I can get in there, but I kept the cut from the ply board so I can cover it up fully at night) with a very secure heat lamp and heat plate because I have them outside and night time temperatures are cold. I make sure to put the box under the carport so if it snows they aren't affected by it. If you're keeping them in the house or outside, just make sure they are warm and the water stays at a good temperature because cool water can bring down their internal temperature fast.
When they are fully feathered I usually wait a little longer just to make sure they're doing good and then put them outside in a draft free coop with my other chickens (slowly introduce them at night so they don't fight as much).

 

[Silkie Princess]

When are your coldest months? Ours are usually January through March, last year getting down to -6 (the feel like temp was -18!!) and I'm in Northern Arkansas.
My experience raising chicks in cold weather is a little tougher than raising them otherwise, but I can definitely say your winters are colder than mine typically are.
Usually what we do is confine the chicks in a plywood box that is 4×4ft (four walls, and half-roof so I can get in there, but I kept the cut from the ply board so I can cover it up fully at night) with a very secure heat lamp and heat plate because I have them outside and night time temperatures are cold. I make sure to put the box under the carport so if it snows they aren't affected by it. If you're keeping them in the house or outside, just make sure they are warm and the water stays at a good temperature because cool water can bring down their internal temperature fast.
When they are fully feathered I usually wait a little longer just to make sure they're doing good and then put them outside in a draft free coop with my other chickens (slowly introduce them at night so they don't fight as much).

Thank you I think I will mabye hatch after all!

 

[Silkie Princess]

The coldest months are usually January to febtuary but the usually hangs around longer

 

[muddy75]

. I'm having issues.
Number one issue is I am % positive I am not dealing with frozen waterers this year which means I might not hatch more at this time of year.

I have not made my mind up yet but I do not think I will be ordering more. If I do end up setting I will be setting HGs.

HG set sounds like a good idea and you can always help them if another incident of extended freeze.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Adding my consistently broody hen to the mix! First time letting her set. Just gave her three mixed eggs yesterday to test her broody skills.
I will likely be setting incubator eggs throughout October, hopefully I can actually hit the October 10 date with some of them!

 

[WVTeach]

Hi! I’d like to join in. Definitely will do chicken eggs on 11/10 at noon. I may also do quail eggs.

 

[Melly-Mae]

I need more eggs! Someone send me some quick! Lol

 

[FiestyFeathersFarm]

​

It's that time again! Every year, many members come together to set eggs to hatch on the exact same day - Halloween. If you are new to hatching, this is a great way to get a lot of help, tips, and advice. Join in the fun for the scariest BYC Hatch-Along of the year!

Set Chicken eggs on Sunday, October 10th at Noon (whatever time zone you are in). Other poultry breed setting dates are listed in the spoiler below:

Spoiler: Set Dates

Type of Egg	Days to Hatch	Set Dates
Emu	49 - 55	September 6 to September 12
Muscovy duck	35	September 26
Goose	28 - 32	September 29 to October 3
Pheasant	22 - 29	October 2 to October 9
Mallard (derived) duck, goose,	28	October 3
Turkey, Guinea, Peafowl	28	October 3
Call duck and other bantam ducks	26	October 5
Bobwhite quail	23	October 8
Seramas other small bantams	19 - 21	October 10 to October 12
Chickens	21	October 10
Pigeons	17 - 19	October 12 to October 14
Coturnix quail	18	October 13
Doves	14 - 16	October 15 to October 17
Button quail	16	October 15

To join the hatch-along, simply post in this thread that you wish to enter and we will add you! Set dates for each type of domestic fowl are listed above in the spoiler above.

This thread is our main chat thread for the hatch-along where you can find anything from new friends, awesome incubation help, to the most detailed educational discussions possible, and how could we forget the laughter and fun!

This post of the hatch-along will be updated as we move along with all the important information you will need, but if you find yourself with a question, just post it on the thread, everyone is helpful!



If you end up not setting any eggs, please let us know! It makes it easier for our record keeping and we don't have to try to track you down!

​

Places to find hatching eggs:

• Chicken Hatching Eggs
• The NEW Crazy 24hr AUCTION thread
• Just In Time Hatching Egg AUCTION and BIN Thread

Incubation, Hatching, & Baby Chick Forums​

• Incubating & Hatching Eggs
• Raising Baby Chicks

Educational hatching articles:

• The Beginner's Guide to Incubation
• Incubation Humidity
• Development of a Chicken Embryo Day by Day
• Candling Pics Progression Through Incubation Of Chicken Eggs
• Incubating And Hatching Muscovy Eggs
• Egg failure to hatch - Diagnosing incubation problems
• Guide to Assisted Hatching for All Poultry
• How To Incubate Hatch Eggs Using The Dry Incubation Method
• Fixing Curled Toes With Tape - Picture Tutorial and Video

All of the contests are held in separate threads. To enter each contest you must visit each contest thread, read the rules, and enter the contest. Check back here on October 1st for links to the contests.

Contest	Start Date	End Date
Pumpkin Carving Photo Contest!	10/01/2021	10/31/2021
Poultry Pecking Pumpkins Photo Contest	10/01/2021	11/30/2021
Halloween Egg Decorating Contest!	10/01/2021	10/31/2021
TBD	TBD	TBD
TBD	TBD	TBD
TBD	TBD	TBD
TBD	TBD	TBD
TBD	TBD	TBD
TBD	TBD	TBD

​

The hatch-along is open to all BYC members.

All contest prizes are limited to one per person per contest.

All BYC rules apply: Terms of Service (Rules)

Count me in for chickens! I’m expecting to set some Serama eggs

 

[pennyJo1960]

Just say no more okay not for me anyway I have peace in the computer room