- Feb 19, 2011
- 14
- 0
- 22
So, I rigged up a fan in my hovabator this last hatching attempt (my second) and things are going swimmingly. 27 of 40 eggs made it to lockdown (yesterday), and of those about 5 or 6 were infertile - so just a couple blood rings and a couple quitters. Not bad, seeing my first hatch was a whopping 0%.
Here's my concern though - I think that my fan might be hanging too low and might provide a hazard for rambunctious chicks who get too close. It's a modified computer fan, so it doesn't have any protective cage, and it's kind of hanging a little lower than most fans would (I think).
Is there a likelihood that this could turn deadly for the chicks? If so, what should I do? I'm guessing I could:
1) open the incubator during lockdown - although I'm not sure what I could do to change things.
2) turn the fan off during hatching
3) watch the chicks anxiously and remove them one at a time as soon as I can.
I know that none of these ideas are preferable. Should I just wait until the eggs hatch to see if it's even going to be a problem. I just remember that chicks kind of heave and bounce when they first get going, and I don't want any decaps!
Thanks,
DD
PS - ETA for the chicks is Wednesday evening.
Here's my concern though - I think that my fan might be hanging too low and might provide a hazard for rambunctious chicks who get too close. It's a modified computer fan, so it doesn't have any protective cage, and it's kind of hanging a little lower than most fans would (I think).
Is there a likelihood that this could turn deadly for the chicks? If so, what should I do? I'm guessing I could:
1) open the incubator during lockdown - although I'm not sure what I could do to change things.
2) turn the fan off during hatching
3) watch the chicks anxiously and remove them one at a time as soon as I can.
I know that none of these ideas are preferable. Should I just wait until the eggs hatch to see if it's even going to be a problem. I just remember that chicks kind of heave and bounce when they first get going, and I don't want any decaps!
Thanks,
DD
PS - ETA for the chicks is Wednesday evening.