December Hatch-A-Long 2014

[Debs55]

Chicks hatched today right on schedule. 9 Easter Egger/Olive Eggers and 8 mixed barnyard.

Next batch is already in lockdown ready for hatch day on December 4th! 10 porcelain sizzles and 8 mixed sizzles!

yay for babies!

 

[ochochicas]

so what happens if the humidity is above the recommended level (50-60%)?

If the humidity is too high, you run the risk of the eggs not losing enough moisture during incubation. The air cell will not be big enough when they pip, and the chicks could actually drown in fluid before they make it out of the egg.

 

[Renee572]

I've been struggling to get my humidity back up all afternoon since I took out the paper towels I had plugging up the little holes on the top of the incubator. Humidity hasn't gone past 43% all afternoon and my temp just barely got back to 100, it's been at 99 for a good part of the day. Anyway while I was turning the eggs for the last time tonight and adding more water I decided to check in on my babies and see how they are doing with all the mishaps I've had with humidity and temp the past couple days. I still have 10 going strong. I got to see at least half of them moving and all the air cells look as they should be. I was telling my sister in law that we had 10 growing and hubby said for me to not get my hopes up because that doesn't mean 10 will hatch. I had to inform him that I was well aware that they may not all hatch but being my first hatch I am pretty proud of myself that I have managed to get 10 of them to grow out of the 11 that were actually fertile. If all 10 hatch I am going to give him crap!! Now fingers crossed my humidity doesn't drop super low tonight.

 

[Purpletie3]

I've been struggling to get my humidity back up all afternoon since I took out the paper towels I had plugging up the little holes on the top of the incubator. Humidity hasn't gone past 43% all afternoon and my temp just barely got back to 100, it's been at 99 for a good part of the day. Anyway while I was turning the eggs for the last time tonight and adding more water I decided to check in on my babies and see how they are doing with all the mishaps I've had with humidity and temp the past couple days. I still have 10 going strong. I got to see at least half of them moving and all the air cells look as they should be. I was telling my sister in law that we had 10 growing and hubby said for me to not get my hopes up because that doesn't mean 10 will hatch. I had to inform him that I was well aware that they may not all hatch but being my first hatch I am pretty proud of myself that I have managed to get 10 of them to grow out of the 11 that were actually fertile. If all 10 hatch I am going to give him crap!! Now fingers crossed my humidity doesn't drop super low tonight.

Renee~ You might want to try sponges...cut up into different sizes. I don't have good luck with papertowels in the hovabator. Also, I have seen some people with small lids full of water. Trial and error. I have good luck with a straw through one of the top holes on the hovabator to addwater. Just make sure there are no eggs under in case you drip. I also leave my plugs out....but, I am also here to fuss over the thing.

We are so dry here right now in NY...I have a pot of water on the stove for humidity in my bator room...

I hope you do get all 10 to hatch! That would be outstanding!

 

[aidensmomma]

Hi everyone!! My day 14 update is 36 out of 48 mixed eggs are going strong and only 5 of the 18 light brahmas are growing. A lot of the eggs I tossed were infertile and a few with blood rings. Since the beginning I have added a dozen RIR eggs and 4 eggs for a friend that were her mixed flock eggs, due Dec. 14. I also just added another 12 RIR, 6 silkies and 6 araucana eggs due Dec. 21. I don't worry much about my humidity since I dry incubate but I had a temp spike for some reason today, in both incubators Luckily I don't believe it was for very long and they are back to good temps now. My guess is we have such major temp ranges here in florida it always keeps you guessing. Good luck to everyone!!! Will update for lock down soon.

I am in North Central Florida and I concur on the major temp ranges! Mine go into lock down on Thursday and we'll see if the cold temps those few days were too much. Last I candled they were going strong, but you just never know. I have marans that I think probably won't fair well because of the humidity spikes and declines, but we'll see this weekend!

 

[aidensmomma]

I've been struggling to get my humidity back up all afternoon since I took out the paper towels I had plugging up the little holes on the top of the incubator. Humidity hasn't gone past 43% all afternoon and my temp just barely got back to 100, it's been at 99 for a good part of the day. Anyway while I was turning the eggs for the last time tonight and adding more water I decided to check in on my babies and see how they are doing with all the mishaps I've had with humidity and temp the past couple days. I still have 10 going strong. I got to see at least half of them moving and all the air cells look as they should be. I was telling my sister in law that we had 10 growing and hubby said for me to not get my hopes up because that doesn't mean 10 will hatch. I had to inform him that I was well aware that they may not all hatch but being my first hatch I am pretty proud of myself that I have managed to get 10 of them to grow out of the 11 that were actually fertile. If all 10 hatch I am going to give him crap!! Now fingers crossed my humidity doesn't drop super low tonight.

I have a warm air humidifier in the room where I incubate...this helps tremendously!! They are about $30 at CVS and last a while if you keep them maintained. Good luck with the hatch, I have found that furry babies, like human babies, can be a lot more resilient then I give them credit for. Keep us posted!

 

[SoCalChick]

too late to join in????

 

[ChickyChickens]

I will join tomorrow!!! I think I will be setting 48 eggs!!!

 

[Debs55]

too late to join in????

go ahead and join!!





ok tonight is lockdown for incubator #1 I know temps wil lbe fine but I am SUPER worried about humidity. I havent been able to get it to stay above 47 for any length of time. Gonna add 2 more water containers tonight and try more sponges too...only problem with the sponges is that they need to be rewet like once a day and I know we arent supposed to open the bator during lockdown. I also thought about putting a layer of paper towels under the sheld liner the eggs will be laying on...but again that would have to be rewet so I dont know.

Suggestions?

 

[only1bgirl]

too late to join in????

I'm setting eggs today too! Good luck and welcome!