December Hatch-A-Long 2014

[only1bgirl]

A couple of percentage points discrepancy on the humidity will not cause problems. High heat spikes seem to be the thing to worry about, it will kill embryos. Your humidity is in the ballpark of good!

@Renee572

 

[Renee572]

A couple of percentage points discrepancy on the humidity will not cause problems. High heat spikes seem to be the thing to worry about, it will kill embryos. Your humidity is in the ballpark of good!

@Renee572

My chicks were all shrink wrapped in their eggs during lockdown so it was indeed an issue with humidity for me which is why I tested my hygrometer first.

 

[KDob521]

Aww I'm so sorry *hugs*

 

[PD-Riverman]

Well 282 eggs incubating and 35 in Lock-Down-----what else can I say! Busy, busy!!

 

[only1bgirl]

My chicks were all shrink wrapped in their eggs during lockdown so it was indeed an issue with humidity for me which is why I tested my hygrometer first.

They shrink wrapped in the 60's? What was your day 1-18 humidity? Shrink wrap can happen at any point during incubation with too low humidity and especially to chicks with pipped shells for long periods and with frequent opening of the incubator during lockdown. I did this with my last hatch of buffs, I tried dry days 1-18 and let the humidity drop and stay in the 20's with five chicks out of 12 hatching, one died another had crooked beak and another had bent toes, I have 3 survivors. There lockdown humidity reached 75 at times, they were still shrink wrapped. Sorry Renee good luck on your next hatch.

 

[Skink]

Finally got to candle my batch, 11 clears and one blood ring.. and 6 developing! Fingers crossed that they go the distance. Here's some terrible photos:

 

[TheChickenQueen]

Tonight is lock down over here! And after candling all 42 eggs are going into lockdown! So excited!.... Now to find a large box for a temporary brooder....


Oh, and has anyone had problems with mice and chicks? My basement has a few mice in it and it is the only place where I can put the chicks out of reach of 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 1 little brother.

 

[Skink]

Tonight is lock down over here! And after candling all 42 eggs are going into lockdown! So excited!.... Now to find a large box for a temporary brooder....


Oh, and has anyone had problems with mice and chicks? My basement has a few mice in it and it is the only place where I can put the chicks out of reach of 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 1 little brother.

Rodents are happy to be opportunistic carnivores and will be attracted to the food inside the brooder. You're going to want to set traps to keep them away if you absolutely must put them down there! Personally, I'd rather shut the animals out of my bedroom for awhile.

 

[Renee572]

They shrink wrapped in the 60's? What was your day 1-18 humidity? Shrink wrap can happen at any point during incubation with too low humidity and especially to chicks with pipped shells for long periods and with frequent opening of the incubator during lockdown. I did this with my last hatch of buffs, I tried dry days 1-18 and let the humidity drop and stay in the 20's with five chicks out of 12 hatching, one died another had crooked beak and another had bent toes, I have 3 survivors. There lockdown humidity reached 75 at times, they were still shrink wrapped. Sorry Renee good luck on your next hatch.

days 1 to 18 it was between 40 and 50%. They all made it to lockdown, candled right before and saw movement in every one so I'm positive it was during lockdown. My humidity was definitely at or above 65% during the day but unfortunately 2 of the nights it dropped below while I slept and I have no idea how long it was low, lowest it got was 58% but knowing my hygrometer is off that could have been 55%. Incubator was never opened during lockdown, I had a way to add water if needed without opening it.

Anyway, I just know I'll be better prepared next time! Thanks though.

 

[TheChickenQueen]

Rodents are happy to be opportunistic carnivores and will be attracted to the food inside the brooder. You're going to want to set traps to keep them away if you absolutely must put them down there! Personally, I'd rather shut the animals out of my bedroom for awhile.

It is a must, so I'll go set several traps, and try to guard the brooder with something.