Ella2025's Experiment Broody Hen Hatch-A-Long

[redinator]

Bippy finally laid an egg. I didn't realize how much I missed her light terracotta eggs. Now we have a true rainbow basket! Also, I didn't think i would have any Bippy eggs to incubate on Halloween but now I do!
View attachment 4228316

Ohhh a halloween hatch along . . . I really shouldn't, but I could, lol

 

[ChickenChick46]

Ohhh a halloween hatch along . . . I really shouldn't, but I could, lol

If you do, one needs to be called Binx, as in Thackery Binx from Hocus Pocus!️

 

[redinator]

If you do, one needs to be called Binx, as in Thackery Binx from Hocus Pocus!️

I'm not committing to anything yet ( behind back).

 

[ella2025]

Ohhh a halloween hatch along . . . I really shouldn't, but I could, lol

That's exactly what I was thinking before committing

 

[ella2025]

Somehow the Bippy egg looks fertile . We're gonna have some barred Easter eggers!!!

 

[redinator]

I'm thinking my next hatch I might try a dry hatch. The last two hatches I had a dismal hatch rate, so I figure it can't get any worse. Most of the trouble came in at the end trying to maintain a higher humidity during lockdown.

 

[redinator]

Somehow the Bippy egg looks fertile . We're gonna have some barred Easter eggers!!!

How can you tell? Did you crack it open? That's the only way I can tell, look for a ring rather than a spot on the yolk. I'll sacrifice one egg from each pullet/hen if I'm questioning fertility.

 

[ella2025]

I'm thinking my next hatch I might try a dry hatch. The last two hatches I had a dismal hatch rate, so I figure it can't get any worse. Most of the trouble came in at the end trying to maintain a higher humidity during lockdown.

What helped me immensely was putting a bowl (with straight sides so that as water runs out the surface area doesn't decrease) in the incubator and filling that once every 2, 3 days. I was having huge issues with dipping and spiking humidity levels until I did that. Good luck with your future hatch!

 

[ella2025]

How can you tell? Did you crack it open? That's the only way I can tell, look for a ring rather than a spot on the yolk. I'll sacrifice one egg from each pullet/hen if I'm questioning fertility.

Yep! Here is a photo. I'm not 100% sure about it, but the dot looks quite big and like a bullseye.

 

[redinator]

What helped me immensely was putting a bowl (with straight sides so that as water runs out the surface area doesn't decrease) in the incubator and filling that once every 2, 3 days. I was having huge issues with dipping and spiking humidity levels until I did that. Good luck with your future hatch!

I used a damp sponge, which sort of worked, but I kept having to dampen it every few hours.