February 2017 Hatch-a-long

[orrpeople]

Its up to you. I usually like to candle day 6, 12, and 18 (start of lockdown). With my first few incubations I liked to candle nearly every day lol but now I am more of a set it and forget it hatcher.

I dry incubate, as well

Somehow, I have it in my head not to candle from day 10-14 - something about eye development? I'll have to go back and research. I usually do 7 (fertility check), 14 and just before lockdown.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Somehow, I have it in my head not to candle from day 10-14 - something about eye development? I'll have to go back and research. I usually do 7 (fertility check), 14 and just before lockdown.

Hmm interesting. I've never seen any ill effects from it. I just divided it up into thirds from day 1 to day 18.

 

[orrpeople]

Hmm interesting. I've never seen any ill effects from it. I just divided it up into thirds from day 1 to day 18. 

Yeah, like I said, it is one of those things you get stuck in your brain, not sure who said it, or if it's correct. Now that i have a moment, i will research it and find out for sure.
I just finished my 7 day candle. It was a good news/bad news sort of deal. The bad news - only 1 of 17 Heritage BR eggs is developing. One. There were 6 clear and all the rest blood rings. I have never had such poor results with shipped eggs and the odd thing is how completely intact the air sacks were when I received them.
Of course, the first thing I do is blame myself or my incubator....except, the American Bresse eggs shipped from Florida (all the way across the nation!) are all developing except 2 that were clear.
And, the eggs from my back yard (one was 8 days old when I set it) are looking great too.
So, anyone with a diagnosis on the BR?

 

[orrpeople]

Okay, so days 11,12,13 are the eye development dates.
Also, one of the learning center links said not to use cardboard egg cartons to incubate. I have always used them...cut out the bottoms and cut down the sides...with a lotof success. Hmm. More to think about.

 

[theceltichorse]

Okay, so days 11,12,13 are the eye development dates.
Also, one of the learning center links said not to use cardboard egg cartons to incubate. I have always used them...cut out the bottoms and cut down the sides...with a lotof success. Hmm. More to think about.

Did they say why Orrpeople? I was planning on using one for the eggs I have that have wonky air cells- bad saddle shaped and a couple that are loose on one side.

 

[Cerise1924]

Mine isn't quiet! He's 9 weeks old and has been crowing since he was 6 weeks old. Just moved them all out to their coop (8x8 wood shed). Need to get a run up ASAP.

Let me know if you have any good run-building tips! I was very lucky, in that the property had a 12x17 covered run sitting idly when I bought it, so I just stuffed a coop inside. And then another. And chicken math is happening, and I shall have to build another run.

Hope you can appease the neighbors and keep your noisy boy.

 

[Cerise1924]

I name all my eggs too!

Yay!! You are the first person I've come across at BYC who also names eggs.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Did they say why Orrpeople? I was planning on using one for the eggs I have that have wonky air cells- bad saddle shaped and a couple that are loose on one side.

The only reason I can think of is that the cardboard ones are going to soak up some of the moisture/humidity in the incubator and possibly harbor bacteria and allow it to grow. Really, I think it is one of those things people say based on speculation rather than based on any real issue.

Yeah, like I said, it is one of those things you get stuck in your brain, not sure who said it, or if it's correct. Now that i have a moment, i will research it and find out for sure.
I just finished my 7 day candle. It was a good news/bad news sort of deal. The bad news - only 1 of 17 Heritage BR eggs is developing. One. There were 6 clear and all the rest blood rings. I have never had such poor results with shipped eggs and the odd thing is how completely intact the air sacks were when I received them.
Of course, the first thing I do is blame myself or my incubator....except, the American Bresse eggs shipped from Florida (all the way across the nation!) are all developing except 2 that were clear.
And, the eggs from my back yard (one was 8 days old when I set it) are looking great too.
So, anyone with a diagnosis on the BR?

http://www.raising-happy-chickens.com/candling-blood-ring.html

 

[Cerise1924]

Did they say why Orrpeople? I was planning on using one for the eggs I have that have wonky air cells- bad saddle shaped and a couple that are loose on one side.

I think @orrpeople and I have been reading the same sites.

I believe they said not to use egg cartons because you need more air circulation; however, cutting out the bottom provides that, and then it's fine to use them. That's what I read, for what it's worth.

What I do is cut circular slices out of a paper towel tube. That works beautifully to prop up big eggs. For smaller eggs, I just cut the paper tube slices into a smaller diameter and tape them. It's worked well, and I got beautiful, healthy chicks even with huge, saddle shaped cells.

 

[theceltichorse]

Let me know if you have any good run-building tips! I was very lucky, in that the property had a 12x17 covered run sitting idly when I bought it, so I just stuffed a coop inside. And then another. And chicken math is happening, and I shall have to build another run. 

Hope you can appease the neighbors and keep your noisy boy.

I'm using two welded wire dig runs. Will end up being a 10x10. Ill zip tie hardware cloth to the sides and meting on top. As I had an un-used kennel, I just bought a second. With the hope that it'll be secure to keep my Doberman OUT!