Colorado

[COChix]

I candle only at night, and I put an ! with a marker if I think it is viable, and ? in marker if I am not sure.  I do this every week, so when they are ready to hatch those that go into lockdown, should have 3-4 ! mark on them.  I use the  X and O for turning them.  Just what works for me, and keeps the guess work down for me.

eta.  I stand right next to the bator and candle one at a time closing the lid while I candle.  Everyone will do it different, you will find what works for you.......

Thank you! Luckily the bator has an auto turner, phew! I couldn't imagine turning 42 eggs several times a day, by hand! Are you worried at all about the marker on the eggshell? I ask because I have read to use pencil or a grease pencil as the shells are porous. I know everyone does it differently and hearing from others who have done this just helps me formulate a better game plan.

 

[suncatcher]

Quote: I have had no issues using the marker....... you could try pencil, maybe a dark one to make sure it stays on there. I hand turn, goes fairly quickly! lol Like handling the eggs, to see if any are seeping, etc.

 

[uzisuzuki]

Fingers crossed!! I always help chicks that have piped internally with shipped eggs, is not their fault they have to deal with wonky air cells! Hope you get at least a trio!

I am hesitant to assist in hatching just because of all the stuff I've read here. They say you don't want to do it early, but then never say when exactly a good time to assist would be. It's all very vague. This site has sufficiently scared me from assisting because I'm worried I'm going to do damage instead of helping. Which is hard for me to do - sit back and be hands off. But I definitely wonder if I had helped the little one from the previous hatch if it would have survived.

 

[kingcocker]

Yes they will if the rooster is not able to assert dominance the fitting will continue...

 

[oshun55555]

This may be a silly question, but will a hen fight a rooster? I was watching my two chicks (6wks old) and they looked light they were fighting. They were going head to head. I thought one was a Silkie Hen and the other a Cochin too. Now, I'm wondering if the Silkie is also a too??

Right now I have 2 hens, a Buff Cornish and a Dark Cornish who will not let any of my 5 Roosters near them, they are good layers and are 2 years old, but I seriously doubt they have bred, they both kick Rooster butt. They mostly hang out with each other, they are the meany flock.

 

[kingcocker]

L

Right now I have 2 hens, a Buff Cornish and a Dark Cornish who will not let any of my 5 Roosters near them, they are good layers and are 2 years old, but I seriously doubt they have bred, they both kick Rooster butt. They mostly hang out with each other, they are the meany flock.

LOL sounds like you need a new rooster. A more dominant breed

 

[oshun55555]

Quote:
My hatching eggs (50 at a time) sit on the bottom of the incubator, I turn them 3 times a day by rolling across them with my palm, the main thing is that they move, I have a 80-90% hatch rate and that is good enough for me, I am too old to do more fancy stuff.

 

[oshun55555]

L
Quote:
Or maybe I need to eat those 2 hens, the other 40 are submissive to the roosters.

 

[kingcocker]

Or maybe I need to eat those 2 hens, the other 40 are submissive to the roosters.

sounds like a bbq to me lol

 

[oshun55555]

they are getting tough by now, maybe stew or something