Documenting staggered hatch, NOW COMPLETE; PICTURES added 12-30.

[kathyinmo]

Yes, I am using two of those big wick sponge things, in the auto humidity tray. AND, I put 2 cups of water with additonal wicks in it, down on the bottom shelf.

No, I will not close the vents. I have made that mistake before .... one my second hatch in the HovaBator, and I think the poor hatch was due to not enough oxygen. I won't do that again. I prefer more oxygen, rather than the humidity.

I dunno .... maybe it is ok. I mean they are hatching. It just seems it is smoother with the humidity in the 60s.

 

[delawaregirl09]

Kathy!! I just read this whole thread, wow!! Lol. I love the pictures, and am sorry about your loss. But look on the bright side, you have 13 Marans, 11 Dels, and some Spanish coming along!!!! You have a wonderful mix up there!! Oh, and by the way, you could share those Del pics elsewhere too

Cynthia, that broody-butt you have has the most wonderful expression on her face. I wish my broodies looked like that when I look in on them

 

[kathyinmo]

Hi Ginger! Glad you stopped by!

I'm at work. I talked to DH, and he said we have 5 Spanish out, 2 zipping, and 1 or 2 more pips. I'm hoping to have this hatch completed before morning! LOL

 

[Mahonri]

I've always thought that a WFB Spanish would be cool Be certain to let us know if they are "layers".

I have an Ancona that was a huge disappointment.

 

[speckledhen]

They seem to be hatching just fine, Kathy, so your humidity must be okay! Go with whatever works, I say.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
That is exactly why I wanted them .... I read that they are good layers of jumbo sized eggs. I will see ! Well, another reason I wanted them is because they are also on the endangered list, listed as, "critical." I like to work on those breeds.

Quote:
Yea, I guess it doesn't need to be as high as I felt it should be. It makes me wonder though ... is this the norm, with the Sportsman? Is there a way to get it higher?

 

[kathyinmo]

This hatch is done!

The last part resulted in 8 White Faced Black Spanish. The other 4 eggs were clear.

So the results are: 34 new chicks!
8 Spanish
13 Marans
11 Delaware
1 Barred Rock (Fern's)
1 Suede and Meg mix

I really like incubating in the Sportsman. But, I will not be hatching in it, unless I can figure out how to increase the humidity. The last 2 chicks I got out were actually stuck. They had zipped ok, and popped off the top of the egg, but couldn't get out after that. The membrane had stuck to them, due to the humidity in the 50s. I don't know how to get it up any higher.

I will get pictures of all the little darlings tomorrow!

BTW: I think one of the Dels has a slipped tendon.

It is one of Ellie's chicks, marked with the black band. I don't know if I can fix it or not. I'm working on it. Dang, how does that happen?

 

[Mahonri]

Congrats.

Did the Spanish hatch out of jumbo eggs?

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Oh yes! Actually, there were a few pullet eggs also. But, they are jumbo, yes!

 

[DAFox]

Yay!

Dale-Ann