Calling all Serama hatchers!!

[ChelliesSassySeramas]

2 Questions about what do you feel is better and more successful for hatching serama eggs...
1. Which is better? Automatic egg turner or hand turning? My incubators are ones where the eggs lay on their side and the tray rotates if that can affect the answer...

And

2. My incubator has slight fluctuations in temp. I know this because I invested in wifi hygrometer/thermometers so I can monitor Temps even while at work. Which would be a better range? Lower end being 99.0 - 100 or higher end 99.5-100.5 ? The incubator is in a draft free area and I've insulated it with a plush blanket but it seems to really be affected by ambient temp changes.


I'd really appreciate the answers to these from anyone with good serama hatching experience. For whatever reason my dumb self thought it would be a good idea to start my incubating experience with Seramas (silkies as well Which had a much better turnout). My first 13 eggs I got, 12 eggs literally quit overnight. Come to find out the extra little cheapish hygrometer/thermometers were way off and I had the temp entirely too high (101-101.5). Thankfully one chick hung in there so wasn't a complete waste of money. But I am currently trying to stagger hatch from one laying hen (with no success yet. Just had 2 eggs quit right before lockdown. She lays tiny eggs though, I believe micro size so I know that makes it even more difficult. ) and have 24+ eggs coming in the mail and I'd really like this time to be more successful then just 1 chick so any and all advice is welcome. TIA! annnddd just because she's sucha a cutie and I want to brag, here's my little lone survivor Dior

 

[Sc_chickengirl]

I haven't hatched Serama's yet, but I have hatched other kinds of bantams. I like automatic turners though. I usually do 99.5- 100.5. Awwww she's adorable! Where do you get your hatching eggs from?

 

[ChelliesSassySeramas]

I haven't hatched Serama's yet, but I have hatched other kinds of bantams. I like automatic turners though. I usually do 99.5- 100.5. Awwww she's adorable! Where do you get your hatching eggs from?

Thank you! She's my special baby and TY for your input. I get my eggs from ebay but I make sure I thoroughly look thru reviews and really pay attention to the living conditions and overall condition of the parent birds in the picture. Healthy eggs start w healthy parents IMO

 

[SilverBirds]

I wouldn't hand turn unless you have to.

99.5 is the optimum hatching temp but it can be difficult to maintain. Just try your best to keep it in the 99F-100F range.

 

[Sc_chickengirl]

Thank you! She's my special baby and TY for your input. I get my eggs from ebay but I make sure I thoroughly look thru reviews and really pay attention to the living conditions and overall condition of the parent birds in the picture. Healthy eggs start w healthy parents IMO

Oh that's an idea. I've never gotten from ebay. I have some coming from Fantasy Poultry Plus. I can't wait!

 

[ChelliesSassySeramas]

I wouldn't hand turn unless you have to.

99.5 is the optimum hatching temp but it can be difficult to maintain. Just try your best to keep it in the 99F-100F range.

Ok, that's good to know. I have goldfish brain so remembering to hand turn wouldve involved setting alarms for me

Although I know the optimal temp is 99.5 (like you said with the variations it's hard to keep it that way. I've figured out a way to keep it between 99-100. The middle part of the inc doesn't go below 99.5, it's the outer part that gets a little below even though it's a forced air. There in lies my problem lol) I've read so many varying info when it comes to these little finicky eggs. Thank you so much for your input!

Oh that's an idea. I've never gotten from ebay. I have some coming from Fantasy Poultry Plus. I can't wait!

O0o0o0o I've never heard of that place, I'll have to check them out! Just had a bad buy happen where the parent chickens look fantastic but the seller had terrible communication and lied to me about shipping dates. Even tried to fool me by sending a tracking number saying they've shipped and finally after all week of it only just saying label created, usps waiting for item I told them to cancel it. Made me so irritated since I'm very understanding and al they had to do was be truthful about whatever situation was going on. Needless to say I will never buy from them again. I just bought from 3 diff ppl which added up to more then the 24+ for the same price and 2 of them shipped it the same day I ordered. Now that's what I'm talking about! But am def going to check out the place you said bc can never have too many places to get good eggies. Did you get seramas??

 

[Sc_chickengirl]

Ok, that's good to know. I have goldfish brain so remembering to hand turn wouldve involved setting alarms for me

Although I know the optimal temp is 99.5 (like you said with the variations it's hard to keep it that way. I've figured out a way to keep it between 99-100. The middle part of the inc doesn't go below 99.5, it's the outer part that gets a little below even though it's a forced air. There in lies my problem lol) I've read so many varying info when it comes to these little finicky eggs. Thank you so much for your input!

O0o0o0o I've never heard of that place, I'll have to check them out! Just had a bad buy happen where the parent chickens look fantastic but the seller had terrible communication and lied to me about shipping dates. Even tried to fool me by sending a tracking number saying they've shipped and finally after all week of it only just saying label created, usps waiting for item I told them to cancel it. Made me so irritated since I'm very understanding and al they had to do was be truthful about whatever situation was going on. Needless to say I will never buy from them again. I just bought from 3 diff ppl which added up to more then the 24+ for the same price and 2 of them shipped it the same day I ordered. Now that's what I'm talking about! But am def going to check out the place you said bc can never have too many places to get good eggies. Did you get seramas??

That's terrible! Yes I'm going to! Right now they are waiting for their hens to start laying again. Actually this dozen will be free for me this time because I won a contest! Their Seramas are show quality, so I'm pretty excited!

 

[SilverBirds]

Let me know how your hatch goes.

 

[ChelliesSassySeramas]

Hatch went good despite alot of displaced air cells/scrambled eggs. Bad job USPS But, it's looking like 3 Roos and 6 hens, which I'm extremely happy with. Even ended up with a silkied and frizzled.

 

[Sc_chickengirl]

Hatch went good despite alot of displaced air cells/scrambled eggs. Bad job USPS But, it's looking like 3 Roos and 6 hens, which I'm extremely happy with. Even ended up with a silkied and frizzled.

Awwwww they are so cute! I have eggs coming this weekend!