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

[Brookhavens]

ummm ok, I have my first 15 eggs (getting rest tomorrow)...

now what do I do??? do I need to check them for anything or store them a certain way until time to incubate?

I store mine on the counter in an egg carton (big end up) and rotate the carton 3-4x/day. I usually collect for about a week and then set. I only get 2-3 eggs a day so collecting for a week gives me a good number to set.

 

[gapeach717]

I am picking up my second set today (in about an hour) and my 3rd and 4th sets will be here tomorrow morning. I would like to set as soon as possible! I have hubby bringing me cardboard cartons home from TSC!

Thank you!!

 

[TMNfarm]

I would bump your humidity up to 60-65% during lockdown. I dry incubate (30's-low 40's) for days 1-18 and then up it to the low- mid 60's for lockdown. As soon as there are a couple of pips I up it to high 60's and then let the hatching chicks raise it even more (70's) I was having the same problem that you were and when I upped the humidity to the 60's I had better results.

Thank you... I will try to get the humidity up higher next hatch. I have all of the wells full of water and wet sponges in there and I still can't seem to get it up higher than 55%... I'll figure something out for next time...

I had 4 thermometers in there at the start, then at lockdown, just kept in the two thermometer/hygrometers... I am incubating the new eggs in the Genesis at work so my co-workers cn join in the fun, so I have to remember to bring my thermometers in!

 

[Brookhavens]

Thank you... I will try to get the humidity up higher next hatch. I have all of the wells full of water and wet sponges in there and I still can't seem to get it up higher than 55%... I'll figure something out for next time...

I had 4 thermometers in there at the start, then at lockdown, just kept in the two thermometer/hygrometers... I am incubating the new eggs in the Genesis at work so my co-workers cn join in the fun, so I have to remember to bring my thermometers in!

Have you calibrated your hygrometers? I had one that I was using when I first started incubating and it was reading 70% at hatchtime so I thought I was doing good. Couldn't figure out why the chicks were hatching soaking wet and taking forever to dry. Turns out when I calibrated it afterwards it was actually 10% off. Reading 70 and it was actually 80%. Make sure you are using warm to hot water when filling the wells. You could also add some folded paper towels under the screen and drip water onto them to increase the surface area of moisture.

 

[3Dchicken]

Hi, Today is Monday, Feb 4th.......I am putting 2 dozen salmon calico wheaten from my project Silkies.

It gets to be very exciting because the colors that hatch are awesome. I purchased my rooster from April at Brody's Broodello.

All my hens are from Karen Larson. April has been working on the color project for years.

Wish me luck,
Barbara/Ohio

LUCK!

 

[Brookhavens]

So here is the little Serama chick that hatched on Feb. 1st. I haven't named him/her yet. Suggestions anyone?

 

[TMNfarm]

Have you calibrated your hygrometers? I had one that I was using when I first started incubating and it was reading 70% at hatchtime so I thought I was doing good. Couldn't figure out why the chicks were hatching soaking wet and taking forever to dry. Turns out when I calibrated it afterwards it was actually 10% off. Reading 70 and it was actually 80%. Make sure you are using warm to hot water when filling the wells. You could also add some folded paper towels under the screen and drip water onto them to increase the surface area of moisture.

OK... This might be a dumb question, but how do you calibrate a hygrometer?? I have two of them in there and they are both reading the same thing...

 

[Brookhavens]

OK... This might be a dumb question, but how do you calibrate a hygrometer?? I have two of them in there and they are both reading the same thing...

Go on Youtube and do a search for "How to calibrate a hygrometer". It is really easy all you need it a ziploc bag or tupperware container. Some salt without iodine and water.

 

[ChickenChaser34432]

All of our hatchlings are zoomin around havin a ball. My wife stole my job though... she got them sold already!! Well time for round 2 of the 2013 season!!!

 

[gapeach717]

So here is the little Serama chick that hatched on Feb. 1st. I haven't named him/her yet. Suggestions anyone?

peanut