Early February 2016 Hatch - Who's In?

[LilChickens2]

Here's my 1st 2 in the tote. Black chic (with black feet) has a white Cochin ma and Exchequer Leghorn pa.
Other chic is pure EL.

Adorable!!

 

[LilChickens2]

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I didn't think that your humidity was out of normal lockdown range with the consideration of the spike. From what I've seen recommended until you know what works best for your situation, it is generally suggested that you are between 65-70% humidity during lockdown. You are correct that when they hatch your humidity will spike.

I have my six in lockdown and my humidity has been at 75% all day. Ugh! I took out water from one reservoir and NOTHING happened/reduced. I had heard it's not the amount of water but the surface area and one whole area of water was removed but no change. I only have one small reservoir left, the size of a milk cap, do I remove that too?! Don't want to shrink wrap them either though. Only just hit day 19. I was thinking of letting it sit overnight and then adjust in the morning as necessary.

 

[Jessimom]

I love my Cochins

Mine are good egg layers too, I have one hen that gives an egg a day and she is very curious, calm and let's me pick her up. She's always in the camera up close.


**in my earlier post I was mistaken: the black chick with black feet is not a Cochin. The chic's black feet had me wondering... So I picked her up and counted 5 toes! Oops! She's a silkie/ leghorn. Strange mix so we'll see. My silkie lays very well since I read they only usually give 3 a week, mine gives 4-5 a week.

So CUTE!!!

 

[NTBugtraq]

I have my six in lockdown and my humidity has been at 75% all day. Ugh! I took out water from one reservoir and NOTHING happened/reduced. I had heard it's not the amount of water but the surface area and one whole area of water was removed but no change. I only have one small reservoir left, the size of a milk cap, do I remove that too?! Don't want to shrink wrap them either though. Only just hit day 19. I was thinking of letting it sit overnight and then adjust in the morning as necessary.

Hot air rises. If you don't have vents in the top, it doesn't escape.

 

[Triplecross]

Lilchickens2, I think I would take out the other water if it's still at 75%. But it also depends on your air sacs too. Mine were a bit small so my lower RH at lockdown was beneficial probably to the eggs.

 

[TJordan]

Ok, question first, am I to understand that your DH wants to get them out of the house before they are fully feathered, or just as soon as they can survive outside? If it is former, you cannot go wrong with the Premier 1 Brooder Plates. If its the latter, do it without any electrical components.

He wants them safe and ready but at the same time out fast. I will keep them in until feathered if we can keep our cat away from them. That's his fear. That they will get hurt by the cat if the kids forget to close the door.

 

[LilChickens2]

Hot air rises. If you don't have vents in the top, it doesn't escape.

There are vents on the top.

 

[NTBugtraq]

He wants them safe and ready but at the same time out fast. I will keep them in until feathered if we can keep our cat away from them. That's his fear. That they will get hurt by the cat if the kids forget to close the door.

Ok, that's a fair fear, always, with chickens, they are prey. So, my suggestion, since you asked, is keep them safe inside until they are fully feathered then only worry about other animals getting to them, your frozen weather, like mine, won't harm them once they are fully feathers (as long as there are no strong drafts pointed at them).

 

[NTBugtraq]

There are vents on the top.

If you got 74% RH in the bator, you got too much water, but others have already said that. Get those dry chicks (and I saw a couple who are already fully dry) out of the bator.

@Sally Sunshine , recently pointed several links to the fact that chicks held in the incubator too long, or under wrong conditions, can suffer.

 

[LilChickens2]

Lilchickens2, I think I would take out the other water if it's still at 75%. But it also depends on your air sacs too. Mine were a bit small so my lower RH at lockdown was beneficial probably to the eggs.

Yes, I think I'll take out the other water completely tonight. It's literally the size of a milk cap but it is packing quite the humidity "punch".