California - Northern

[ronott1]

Hi guys. I have a question that needs your expert advice. Many of you are experts on incubation...so here goes: I set some gorgeous Blue Barnevelder eggs Saturday afternoon, April 20th (Thank you Trisha!!). They are due to start lockdown in the evening on May 8th (day 18). There is no way I can avoid being out of town from Tuesday night May 7th through Thursday night May 9th. Would it be better to candle them and lock them down before I go or after I get back? Is it better to take them out of the turner before I go? Leave them in the turner, but raise the humidity? Any suggestions? So far, I have seen every one of them move actively in the last candling, so I know they are doing quite well. They are losing the correct amount of weight and should be ready to hatch right on or a tad before May 11th in the afternoon. I have never had eggs that I set hatch too early or too late, they seem to come right about day 21. I'm really worrying about this and am hoping that some of you have experienced similar situations over the years and will be able to lend your advice! Oh and I have been doing the dry incubation method and am using a homemade styrafoam incubator.

I hate to do this and if this causes any not to hatch properly, I will really kick myself, but my inlaws who have lived in their home for 40 years are moving and need help loading. It is quite a distance to go to help them and we have to stay overnight to do it. They really need the moral support as well to say goodbye to their home of 40 years and begin to look forward to life in another home closer to town for their retirement. We can be back Thursday May 9th by the middle of the day if necessary too.

Your advice is really appreciated.

I would wait until the 9th. Hatches seem to work better when setting up a bit closer to hatch.

Hatching has never started exactly on time for me. Not all breeds or groups of eggs hatch exactly to the minute after 21 days. Usually the first pip happens with one early. That one can hatch up to 24 hours after the first pip. Most hatches end within 24 hours of the first hatched chick though. Some can take 3 days to hatch.

Exciting times ahead for you!

 

[18Peeps]

I would wait until the 9th. Hatches seem to work better when setting up a bit closer to hatch.

Hatching has never started exactly on time for me. Not all breeds or groups of eggs hatch exactly to the minute after 21 days. Usually the first pip happens with one early. That one can hatch up to 24 hours after the first pip. Most hatches end within 24 hours of the first hatched chick though. Some can take 3 days to hatch.

Exciting times ahead for you!

Are they okay to keep turning until day 19 too then? I know they are trying to get into their hatching positions...I know, I'm probably being overly nervous. Right?

oh and thank you for you quick response...most helpful.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I've been pre-occupied the past few days and haven't had time to keep up with this thread. Hopefully I can have a chance to catch up on the missed pages (I currently am on pg 2290).

Ok, I need to vent...

my mother in law has been in the hospital since Saturday. We suspect her delerium was caused by not taking care of herself (missing meals, overexhaustion, and not taking her meds). She seems pretty coherent now and I hope she will be released today or tomorrow. My cousin was in a terrible motorcycle accident yesterday and broke multiple bones - they have removed part of his skull to relieve some brain swelling. We are flying down to Orange County Wednesday for a wedding and will visit him then. Oh yeah, and then there is that trip that we need to pack for, traveling with a 11 month old lends itself to all sorts of extra preparations. At some point we need to purchase a wedding gift too. Agh.
Venting complete, thanks for listening.

In chicken-related news, I moved the babies out to the big girl coop! The upcoming trip was my main motivating factor, that plus they were REALLY starting to stink up the house. The babies are only 6 or 7 weeks old but are fully feathered so I thought I would give it a try. The big girls (there are only 5 in a 50sq ft coop with a 250sq ft run) just give a warning peck to the chicks if they get in the way. The chicks learned quickly to respect the big girls! The chicks seem happy to have extra space and they haven't even discovered the run yet. They also seem to love the windows. If I have time I will get some pictures.

I'm sorry. Been going through the same with my grandmother, only she fell from lack of eating. 15 days in Skilled nursing and she's doing wonderfully in assisted living now. Hope they both improve for you.

Hi guys. I have a question that needs your expert advice. Many of you are experts on incubation...so here goes: I set some gorgeous Blue Barnevelder eggs Saturday afternoon, April 20th (Thank you Trisha!!). They are due to start lockdown in the evening on May 8th (day 18). There is no way I can avoid being out of town from Tuesday night May 7th through Thursday night May 9th. Would it be better to candle them and lock them down before I go or after I get back? Is it better to take them out of the turner before I go? Leave them in the turner, but raise the humidity? Any suggestions? So far, I have seen every one of them move actively in the last candling, so I know they are doing quite well. They are losing the correct amount of weight and should be ready to hatch right on or a tad before May 11th in the afternoon. I have never had eggs that I set hatch too early or too late, they seem to come right about day 21. I'm really worrying about this and am hoping that some of you have experienced similar situations over the years and will be able to lend your advice! Oh and I have been doing the dry incubation method and am using a homemade styrafoam incubator.

I hate to do this and if this causes any not to hatch properly, I will really kick myself, but my inlaws who have lived in their home for 40 years are moving and need help loading. It is quite a distance to go to help them and we have to stay overnight to do it. They really need the moral support as well to say goodbye to their home of 40 years and begin to look forward to life in another home closer to town for their retirement. We can be back Thursday May 9th by the middle of the day if necessary too.

Your advice is really appreciated.

Either would be fine, but since you won't be around to monitor humidity - I'd do it when you get back. Lock them down on the 9th, take them out of the turner and increase your humidity.

 

[ronott1]

Are they okay to keep turning until day 19 too then? I know they are trying to get into their hatching positions...I know, I'm probably being overly nervous. Right?

oh and thank you for you quick response...most helpful.

Yes, they will be fine with the turner on. I have had them hatch early in the turner with it on.

I hatch in egg cartons too so you don't have to worry so much about their position.

 

[liz9910]

I am in Modesto, and everyone here considers us to be in Nor Cal. I am originally from So Cal, so when I drive home to visit, I tend to see the line at the Grapevine, too. Always breathe a little easier when we are heading north toward home.

Welcome to the thread! I'm in Modesto also

 

[18Peeps]

Yes, they will be fine with the turner on. I have had them hatch early in the turner with it on.

I hatch in egg cartons too so you don't have to worry so much about their position.

I'm sorry. Been going through the same with my grandmother, only she fell from lack of eating. 15 days in Skilled nursing and she's doing wonderfully in assisted living now. Hope they both improve for you.

Either would be fine, but since you won't be around to monitor humidity - I'd do it when you get back. Lock them down on the 9th, take them out of the turner and increase your humidity.

A huge Thank You to both of you! You have made me feel better about it...

 

[chrisiscoolr]

Its raining right now here in south sacramento, Is it raining where your all at?

 

[BCollie]

Its raining right now here in south sacramento, Is it raining where your all at?

It's been raining off and on in Redding.

 

[18Peeps]

Its raining right now here in south sacramento, Is it raining where your all at?

It isn't raining a little east of Sacramento right now, but it did rain last night and maybe by what you are saying, more is heading our way!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Its raining right now here in south sacramento, Is it raining where your all at?

No, but I wish it would. Lucky you! Only a few tiny drops today here so far.