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

[Brookhavens]

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!!!!!!!

Did you calibrate the hygrometer before you put it in?
Temp is kept at 99.5 during the entire incubation. Your humidity should be in the mid to high 30's during days 1-18 Running at 50% is a little too much and will keep too much moisture inside the egg and possibly drown the chicks when they internally pip. For lockdown you want to raise the humidity to the mid 60's and when you see your first pip you can up it a few more.

 

[Brookhavens]

My Swedish Flower Hen chick (darkest) and 2 Blue laced Red Wyndotte just moved to brooder
I was about to put them in the brooder making sure the temp was right first ...when i went to open the bator here is a wet one squirming around...a Lavender Orpington just had hatch !
Never saw a pip or zip at all and i have looked all day every 1/2 hour.!
He was under the heater but still i looked there . Super fast hatch

He is waiting for his sibs now taking a rest.
COME ON egglets hatch!!.

 

[Brookhavens]

The hydrometer I have reads high/low and reg humidity level, what do I need to gage by? The temp of the meter and the thermometer from the bator is reading about the same temp. What does the reg humidity - high /low need to read before I put my eggs in there?

Thanks

You need to read the reg humidity. The high/low tells you what the highest and lowest humidity levels have been for the last 24 hours.

 

[Brookhavens]

Not a good day for me candled my eggs and it seems that none of them have life in there I'm so upset

What day are you on?

 

[Cynthia12]

Ok, this is what I started with..OE's, and she threw in a few Marans mix. Look at the
size of that egg. I thought, not too sure that will hatch. Now I am wondering if it just
might make it! I candled, and saw a foot. I mean a huge foot! You should have seen
the size of that foot!

I don't think I have to wonder if there are two in there any longer
because that foot looks like it will be a pretty good sized chick. Can't wait to see this
one hatched. Hope it makes it. I have two more that color, one questionable, and 9
of the OE's left..also one questionable. Pretty eggs.

 

[Brookhavens]

Well I saw the one egg when I moved the chicks and ZIPPING IS IN PROGRESS!!!!!! That means a 100% hatch! Yay!!

CONGRATS!!!!

 

[Brookhavens]

As soon as the chick gets done hatching, I'm going to have to clean out the incubator since I'm getting more eggs tomorrow. What does everyone who has a Brinsea Mini Advance recommend cleaning with? Just dish soap and warm water? And do you clean the turning disc? Sorry for all the questions!

Use a bleach/water solution to disinfect the inside and then use warm water as a rinse.

 

[ceocka]

Just candled my eggs out of the two game bird eggs 1 was bad 7 sea rights looks looks great so far. 6 old fashioned bannies look amazing and then the rest I bout off of the side of the road from a guy selling fresh eggs! Well to my amazement they are all forming but maybe 2. So I only tossed one out of 23 total. March 7 th can't get here fast enough and then I am setting egg for the Easter hatch a long. U am so excited. I am a first timer for that so I can't wait!

 

[Cynthia12]

Use a bleach/water solution to disinfect the inside and then use warm water as a rinse.

You and I do a lot of things the same way...temps, humidity..and now cleaning. I also use the bleach/water mix.

 

[BantyChickenLuv]

How long should I give the little guy a break before I move him to the brooder? He's so lonely and I don't want him in the incubator all night. He won't dry inside of it either because of the weird shape. He hatched about an hour ago.