EDUCATIONAL INCUBATION & HATCHING CHAT THREAD, w/ Sally Sunshine Shipped Eggs

[Lazy Farmer]

Hello! I hope it is okay to ask this here. I have shipped eggs to pick up from the post office today, but the rest of the eggs haven’t even shipped yet. I have never hatched before, and I was hoping for some advice on staggered hatching?

Personally I won't stagger unless it is only a 1-3 day stagger. Humidity needs to increase towards the end of the period. Anything past a week stagger is exposing the off set eggs to high humidity levels before their need for extra moisture.
As well as clean up. I tend to clean the oven as fast as possible. Staggered hatches stain and contaminate ovens. Once those stains seep deep into the Styrofoam, they tend to stay.
"My opinion only". Not always good to follow my led. Unless you know how to find your way back..

 

[KaelaM]

Personally I won't stagger unless it is only a 1-3 day stagger. Humidity needs to increase towards the end of the period. Anything past a week stagger is exposing the off set eggs to high humidity levels before their need for extra moisture.
As well as clean up. I tend to clean the oven as fast as possible. Staggered hatches stain and contaminate ovens. Once those stains seep deep into the Styrofoam, they tend to stay.
"My opinion only". Not always good to follow my led. Unless you know how to find your way back..

I don’t think it would be more than 3 days, the latest they should ship is Saturday. If it’s no more than 3 days, should I just treat them as if they weren’t staggered in regard to humidity and lockdown?

 

[Lazy Farmer]

I don’t think it would be more than 3 days, the latest they should ship is Saturday. If it’s no more than 3 days, should I just treat them as if they weren’t staggered in regard to humidity and lockdown?

You will need to rest them.. (unscramble). Shipped eggs go thru a lot. You need to store them in a cool location, pointed end down to let them settle prior to setting. Get that air pocket to settle up in the large end. Since it's only 3 days, I would wait and set them all at the same time.
But that's only another opinion. Everybody has one.

 

[kwhites634]

That's fantastic that it's working!

Yea, it's working, & doing a fine job. Unfortunately, one of the hydraulic hoses is leaking a little.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

Personally I won't stagger unless it is only a 1-3 day stagger. Humidity needs to increase towards the end of the period. Anything past a week stagger is exposing the off set eggs to high humidity levels before their need for extra moisture.
As well as clean up. I tend to clean the oven as fast as possible. Staggered hatches stain and contaminate ovens. Once those stains seep deep into the Styrofoam, they tend to stay.
"My opinion only". Not always good to follow my led. Unless you know how to find your way back..

Connie brings up very valid points. Not only in regards to the humidity issue but also the cleaning issue. I hatch in baskets to contain the mess.

Being new to hatching...I'd suggest taking everyone's good advice over mine. Chances are you'll be more successful.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

I don’t think it would be more than 3 days, the latest they should ship is Saturday. If it’s no more than 3 days, should I just treat them as if they weren’t staggered in regard to humidity and lockdown?

Geographically speaking: Me=Florida/excessive humidity in our climate already. I add zero water until day 17ish. Your atmosphere is a world apart from our tropic conditions.
I have tweaked my hatching program from trial and error. Mostly learning what not to do next time, over and over again. Up to the level I am on now.
There is so many factors to a successful hatch and luck has very little to do with the outcome.
Incubators (hobby level) come with basic instruction perimeters. Those are the basics/the short end of the "101" class. The 101 comes from multiple tries and finding your grove. At least for em-wah here anyway.
I find it exciting to learn something new. But with the learning comes error.
Only valuable advise I can give you is to invest in aux meters, monitor conditions, candle progress and have your brooder(s) set up correctly and accordingly.
There are a lot of knowledgeable folks on this thread. They are always here to assist.
I'm just a hobby farm hatchery wann-a-be..
Best regards to your hatch!

 

[Pensmaster]

Mike! I have been better. But, I'm sure things could always be worse.

How have you been?

 

[Wickedchicken6]

Thanks Pensmaster! That was very much appreciated.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

How many Chickens are laying an egg in this tiny basket?

Spoiler: ANSWER

4 Adult Hens are in this tiny basket. These birds are 100%/ 24-7 days a week/365 days a year FREE. They come and go as they please. BUT- the little white bird has gone hard broody(on the left). I chuck her out of that nest several times a day, everyday. The other hens just jump on top of her and deposit their egg for the day. There are 5 more hens on the barn floor waiting for a spot in the basket. My "free ladies all get in a line and wait for the group to do their thing before returning to the yard. This happens everyday. Makes my day to see all my gals made it thru the night and are in line.. day after day..

 

[KaelaM]

Geographically speaking: Me=Florida/excessive humidity in our climate already. I add zero water until day 17ish. Your atmosphere is a world apart from our tropic conditions.
I have tweaked my hatching program from trial and error. Mostly learning what not to do next time, over and over again. Up to the level I am on now.
There is so many factors to a successful hatch and luck has very little to do with the outcome.
Incubators (hobby level) come with basic instruction perimeters. Those are the basics/the short end of the "101" class. The 101 comes from multiple tries and finding your grove. At least for em-wah here anyway.
I find it exciting to learn something new. But with the learning comes error.
Only valuable advise I can give you is to invest in aux meters, monitor conditions, candle progress and have your brooder(s) set up correctly and accordingly.
There are a lot of knowledgeable folks on this thread. They are always here to assist.
I'm just a hobby farm hatchery wann-a-be..
Best regards to your hatch!

Thank you for your help! It is much appreciated