FEB HATCH-ALONG THREAD ...COME JOIN US.... EVERYONE!

[Arkansas81]

Ok just got a hydrometer, put water in the bator, set up the meter. So now I need to let the humidity get to about 50% and stay that way for a day or two? I should keep the temp 99.5, humidity 50% for the first 18 days? Then raise to 70/80% after the 18th day?

Anything else this newbie needs to know? Thanks!!!!!!!

 

[inthesticks]

Okay so the first 5 hatched are doing really good -Wobble is starting to run! I wish she(if I keep saying she maybe Wobble will be one!) wouldn't run though, every time I see her scamper across the brooder I have mini heart failure! Out of the 3 JB eggs I had in there 2 past away around day 18???? & the last one is almost out of it's shell & the last 2 EE eggs 1 is still inside(I pipped a hole in the air sac area to see proof of life after discovering the 2 dead JBs) & the other is almost all the way out

Anddddd........ I couldn't wait till the Easter hatch-a-long or even for these last 3 to hacth out fully!!! To set my next batch of eggs. So I dug out my homemade incubator, first time using it too!
So far so good steady 99 & about 30-40% humidity yay
Here are some pics
29 eggs set 1RIR/ee 1NH/ee 9EE/ee 18JB/jb & already have 17 quail eggs waiting & will add w.e else is laid between now & set day. Some may not develop as they may be too old -but doesn't hurt to try!
I made this incubator this past summer- right now it's still air w/ a heat lamp cover & a 60watt w/ tin foil covering 1/2 of the cage that goes around the bulb & used old picture frame glass to make windows & have a cutout door in the back, used an old fruit container for water storage so that way I wouldnt have to worry about drowning or tipping the way it's put in. I also laid down a foam on the bottom to give texture & good spots for the eggs to sit in- before lockdown I will put in non slip material just in case. After I see how this hatch goes, I may install a computer fan.

 

[Arkansas81]

I'm having the same problem...when I candle I never see any veining, or a dark spot. BUT I can very easily see an air sac and a dark mass in the egg, the eggs don't look porous at all. I have tried to candle at different stages, I know I'm not seeing a blood ring. My egg shells are thick and solid. I don't give a lot of extra calicum because of all the goodies I give my girls. The only time I give oyster is if I notice the egg shells are becoming to thin.

So if I am seeing an air sac-very nice ones, then a dark mass in the shell then is it possible I have a hatchling to come? I only have a couple of white-light colored eggs. The rest are a very pretty brown and green, I usually don't see anything at all in those. I do have a small led flashlight from tsc.


I posted this question earlier, copied and pasted so I would have to rewrite it. I would still like to know the answer. I'm fixing to set some eggs in a day or two so I'm curious. Thanks!

 

[silkiemelon]

Ok just got a hydrometer, put water in the bator, set up the meter. So now I need to let the humidity get to about 50% and stay that way for a day or two? I should keep the temp 99.5, humidity 50% for the first 18 days? Then raise to 70/80% after the 18th day?

Anything else this newbie needs to know? Thanks!!!!!!!

99.5 degrees, yep. As for humidity, you'll get a lot of different opinions on that. I personally keep it between 40%-50% the first 18 days and raise it to 70% for lockdown. And I've had great hatching rates, so whatever works for you I guess!
So yes, thats all you need. Besides you know, rotating them, and not touching them or opening the bator after day 18. Then you're good to go!

 

[CrzyCknLady]

Hey I have a EExBO mix from my flock! They are super cute. Here were mine from last year (the right one didn't make it though)

Mine lays a mint green egg




Mama in front, daughter in back

So....... EE X BO can lay green eggs too????? Ooh my!

I thought they would end up being brown eggs! My favorite EE, Mrs. Howell (she's very distinguished looking), lays a blue egg - I have one, just one, of her babies due tomorrow........I have such high hopes for this one egg in particular. Hopefully it's a girl.

 

[Arkansas81]

Thanks Silkiemelon! That's what I've read in many different places. That's what I am going to try. I will set my eggs by Fri

 

[gapeach717]

Loving your incubator Inthesticks!!!

Arkansas, i am doing more of a "dry" hatch with set #1 (my incubator humidity stays around 40-50% but is now raising up slowly til lockdown! Lets see that setup!!!

 

[inthesticks]

I'm having the same problem...when I candle I never see any veining, or a dark spot. BUT I can very easily see an air sac and a dark mass in the egg, the eggs don't look porous at all. I have tried to candle at different stages, I know I'm not seeing a blood ring. My egg shells are thick and solid. I don't give a lot of extra calicum because of all the goodies I give my girls. The only time I give oyster is if I notice the egg shells are becoming to thin.

So if I am seeing an air sac-very nice ones, then a dark mass in the shell then is it possible I have a hatchling to come? I only have a couple of white-light colored eggs. The rest are a very pretty brown and green, I usually don't see anything at all in those. I do have a small led flashlight from tsc.


I posted this question earlier, copied and pasted so I would have to rewrite it. I would still like to know the answer. I'm fixing to set some eggs in a day or two so I'm curious. Thanks!

I had the same issue over here(even one of those little lights from tsc). But yes if you shine the light down on the fat end w/ the air sac & there's space then the dark mass most likely there is a chick in there. W/ a light w/ more lumen- you will have an easier time telling - of course tho nearing lockdown I hardly saw anything - I Looked like a crazy person hunched over eggs & a flash light on the floor in the dark bathroom sat & stared at the egg till I saw something move in there!

I recently got a better flash light & have been able to see much better now w/ my blue blue/green & brown eggs! No more crazy looking person till we get near lockdown

 

[silkiemelon]

Thanks Silkiemelon! That's what I've read in many different places. That's what I am going to try. I will set my eggs by Fri

Good luck on the hatch!

 

[3Dchicken]

I had my top silkie hen -Hope- stash 25 eggs in her carrier. I tried to take them away and make her wait a month but I swear she can count! Such a commotion! So I waited and decided to just switch out real for fakes. I thought she will lay and sit 10-15.....no! She went to the count of 25! so when I realized -at count 20--she was determined I started keeping eggs aside from other girls for her.
So I set aside in 7 days 14 eggs which I split between her and another gal Angel. This weekend I will candel and see what my young roos fertility rate is. In the end Hope will be the one to hatch the eggs since she always allows me to handel the chicks from the get go. She also knows the routine of indoor hatching. She calls me with her demands and I answer! HAHAHA.




I set the eggs feb 9 and should hatch march 5 thru the 7th. I hope this weather holds.

Awwwww. I just love the little setup for them. So sweet!