February 2017 Hatch-a-long

[lilwildrabbit]

That's an  indication you serious need Chicken Anonymous,lol.

being my first hatch I'll see if I get worse first or this is just being my first time hatching jitters but come tie me up and get me help if I have any indications of brooding myself

 

[HeritageHenNut]

Do you mean on the outside of the egg? Can you get a pic?


I have 4 hatched so far, 3 seramas (one was very tiny and needed full assist) and one bantam cochin. Lots more pips. :yiipchick

Best I can do for a picture, wanted to be quick as two are pipping!

 

[Jessimom]

It's funny, I'm a totally positive thinking person in my life. But I have such a hard time candling eggs. I NEVER, EVER see movement in the eggs. I always think as I'm locking them down that nothing will hatch. I think it's the ONLY thing in my life I go into pessimistic. I've hatched HUNDREDS of chicks. I've had 100% hatches. I still put those chicks into lockdown thinking nothing will hatch.

Even thinking nothing will hatch, I still get up several times each night. The first 20 hatches, I got up every hour, maybe every half hour. I'm not that bad anymore. I think I checked 3 times last night.



That being said. These shipped eggs with wonky air cells are starting to pop. I still just have the 1 chick. But 3 more Frilkie/Sizzle - I don't know the difference -- and 1 Super Blue egg are pipped. The bantams always hatch first for me, so I think the Blue's will kick in to full gear tomorrow.

Go chickies go!!!!!

 

[eldonrgv]

If the egg sacs are a little small (not by much) should I raise the humidity up three days before hatch? Or wait for another day?

I have had some smaller air sacks going in to lockdown before, and they all hatched out fine. In fact, one had me really worried, because it pipped so much lower than my outline I had drawn. But, after it hatched, the air sack looked like it had grown substantially just in those 4 days!

I have much admiration for the DIY incubator builders! Hatch on!

I never pay attention to humidity nor air sacks too much of a drama IMO. I always do the dry incubation method, as long as the humidity is over 20% on the hydrometer I don't mess with it until lockdown I soak a couple of kitchen hands towels and put them in there to get the humidity to 65%-70%. Air sacks I see them just 3 times during incubation day 7, 14, and 18 when candling. I did my last 3 hatches on my homemade mini fridge bator after loosing my Sportsman in Jan to a burglary and I've had no less than 100% hatch rate things I never had on my sportsman. I know there's a lot of opinions regarding hatching methods and tips out there but this is what's been working for me, perhaps climates and locations play a major role but here in Deep South Texas works like a charm for me.

 

[yeye5]

being my first hatch I'll see if I get worse first or this is just being my first time hatching jitters but come tie me up and get me help if I have any indications of brooding myself

I hate to tell you but I get nervous every single time. My last hatch before this (broody hen, not incubator) I thought I'd loose my mind. They were due to hatch 1-2 days before Thanksgiving. Mind you I'm no pro at this but when she started pushing eggs, one at a time out of the nest I panicked. I opened them to see why. The ones she pushed out were quitters not viable eggs. I finally woke the morning after Thanksgiving to 3 little cute silkie chicks!

The hatch I have going on now (hopefully) has its own set of worries. Mima (hen) did push out a couple but I know she knows what's up. She has a rather large clutch for a tiny hen...but she's staying on them! She's an excellent mom. My concernS (multiple concerns) are that the chicks that hatched late November are still in the same 2 level house with Mima and Mun~eco (Rooster/dad). He does great staying with her, protecting his wife like the big man (well not-so-big) he should be. I'm working on building a temporary divider between the top (2nd) floor and the ground floor where the youngsters spend most of their time.
Concern #2? I did a crazy thing. I added an egg to the clutch when I knew full well it was too late a time to do it. I sort of lost my mind and when Myrtle (Olive egger) laid an new egg I added it about 4 days in.
The night before last Myrtle was killed by a ground attack that I'm nearly sure was a raccoon. I am crushed about the loss.
Maybe I had a "premonition", but likely it was just a crazy move.
So,rather than be mad at myself I am trying to find the best strategy to give All of the eggs, and Myrtle's egg which I hope beyond hope will hatch.
If anyone has the patience to read my rambling post, I would appreciate any and all ideas to help.

 

[eldonrgv]

e SO GREAT!!!

Congrats eldon! Awesome hatch!!

I have a pip in a Serama egg.

Thanks...I got last hatch due on the 11th and that will be My Last for the season, got almost 200 birds again of ordered and home hatched, 13 different breeds so time to take to storage my homemade bator after this.....Good luck y'all.

 

[eldonrgv]

I had the top half of that. Please verify the temps and humidity with independent, calibrated meters. Those units can be way off.

Yep off by 3 degrees on the one I once had. Use an independent meter and calibrate it. Humidity was correct on mine except temp. Tip of advise, with nail clippers cut the zip sustaining the sensor of temp and let it hang loose above the top of eggs, those 3 to 4 inches where they set the sensor at the factory makes a lot of difference. Also put some styrophoam underneath the bator, they should of come in the package. Don't throw them away use them it will help sustain the temp.

 

[orrpeople]

Well, we're calling our February hatch a wrap here. I just candled the remaining eggs and there is no movement at all. So, we ended up with 7 male BSL, 4 female BSL, 1 EE/Marans cross and 3 Bresse. so, as soon as the last little one dries off, it's bator cleaning time, so the next batch can go in!!

 

[orrpeople]

bTW, I just got back from Papa's Poultry - he's local, and I had ordered some Cream Legbar eggs from him. He was so generous - 19 eggs, when I only ordered 10! Plus, Jeff is a very nice guy.

 

[Jessimom]

bTW, I just got back from Papa's Poultry - he's local, and I had ordered some Cream Legbar eggs from him. He was so generous - 19 eggs, when I only ordered 10! Plus, Jeff is a very nice guy.

Jeff is awesome. I'm WAAAY south of you, so he had to ship my eggs. Yes, lots of extras, and was able to help me figure out which chicks hatched.