Chic Chick 'Bator *UPDATED*

[MissPrissy]

Some people get 100% and some people get 0%. It is not predictable at all!

 

[friedchicken]

Hey guys and chicks!

I have 4 out of their shells and about 5 more that have piped. When do I take the little bitties out for food and water? Do I do it now , or wait until I am sure all the hatching is over with?

 

[MissPrissy]

When they are dry and active they can be moved.

They can stay in the bator 24 hours or more. The last thing they do before hatch is absorb the yolk. They don't need food for 48 - 72 hours after hatch.

Get the brooder warm, set up food and water. You will have to dip their beak and get them started. Once they find the food and water they eat, eat, eat.

 

[Alaska animal lover]

Okay I've been reading this thread for an hour and I found the end!
I'm super impressed. I love a challenge=) Now if I make one of these...where can I get eggs for it?

 

[MissPrissy]

Look in the buy sell trade section. People list eggs for sale here all day every day.

 

[friedchicken]

I have 9 and activity in 4 more eggs. I picked them up put them to my ear and lightly tapped the shell ... they tapped back..... Morris code?????

 

[Zookeeper9000]

Welcome Alaska I would try to find some local eggs as shipping to Alaska is hard on the eggs low hatch rate. Tori is from Alaska she might know some locals not sure where she is located. Maybe she will see the post and come on here and help ya out.


Congrats on the hatching friedchicken sending ya more happy hatching vibes

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Quote:
Don't know...but it could be Morse code!!

 

[friedchicken]

I think they are just about done .... total count so far is 12 and one making faint noises in the shell. I have 7 that have no activity. How long should I leave the 7 in the bator just in case?

MissPrissy; I like your idea about using the light dimmer for constant heat and ... you can get around loosing your heat by making the turning rods like the ones in my bator. I didn't open my box from the time I put the eggs in until I put the screen over the turning rods on the 18th day. They turned the eggs great. I am glad that you cautioned me about the chicks possible leg problems on the turning rods. If you recall, I also installed a water pipe and a pan in the Chick-A-Bator when I built it. Here is the picture of it:

 

[MissPrissy]

After all the active hatching is done, chicks are dry and in the brooder I wait until day 23 and check the remaining eggs. If I see no activity I end the hatch then. You can wait it out and I have seen people hatch chicks on day 25 to almost 30.