Cabystander
In the Brooder
- Feb 2, 2022
- 2
- 31
- 36
Hello. I am new to the forum. At 77+, I am not new to much. 70 years ago, my parents launched a commercial egg operation in Yuma, AZ. Conventional wisdom was that it was too hot for chickens in Yuma--often the night time temp wouldn't drop below 100, high 90's at best. My inventive dad arranged a misting system to cool them. Ever seen 1000 dead wet chickens? (Not really, at least all at once, but they didn't do well. As most things on that homestead farm, it was a disaster.)
I heard Engineering was inside work, no heavy lifting. So, I went to the University of Arizona, ended up with a PhD in EE, have made my living for 50+ years as an Engineer. Now mostly for fun, but still earn a buck or two every now and then.
Through the years, I have had backyard chickens off and on. I have just got back into it. Hatching French Black Copper Marans from eggs acquired over ebay. Built my own incubator, control system, etc. At this point, very iffy results. Trying to hatch eggs that have been shipped across the country this time of year is, no doubt, not the smartest of decisions. Out of latest batch of 12 eggs I got one very lively chick. Rest will be autopsied, but I don't think any of them started. I think my temperature/humidity protocol was good, but I am going nuts trying to get two thermometers to agree. I have several, all with a different opinion.
Previous batch of 20 eggs yielded four chicks, two boys, two girls. The $%^& dog got one of the pullets. Dog could have at least relieved me of one of the roosters.
This is a great site, I will mostly lurk, but will post my temperature problems.
Just ordered another 8 eggs. I have never been known to give up easily.
I heard Engineering was inside work, no heavy lifting. So, I went to the University of Arizona, ended up with a PhD in EE, have made my living for 50+ years as an Engineer. Now mostly for fun, but still earn a buck or two every now and then.
Through the years, I have had backyard chickens off and on. I have just got back into it. Hatching French Black Copper Marans from eggs acquired over ebay. Built my own incubator, control system, etc. At this point, very iffy results. Trying to hatch eggs that have been shipped across the country this time of year is, no doubt, not the smartest of decisions. Out of latest batch of 12 eggs I got one very lively chick. Rest will be autopsied, but I don't think any of them started. I think my temperature/humidity protocol was good, but I am going nuts trying to get two thermometers to agree. I have several, all with a different opinion.
Previous batch of 20 eggs yielded four chicks, two boys, two girls. The $%^& dog got one of the pullets. Dog could have at least relieved me of one of the roosters.
This is a great site, I will mostly lurk, but will post my temperature problems.
Just ordered another 8 eggs. I have never been known to give up easily.
Sorry about your hatching problems.
