February 2023 hatch-a-long

[Kikilu]

I still candle most days and I did 3 hatched last year (well successful). And I am on my 3rd this year (hatching for someone else). It is so exciting to see. I will say around day 7-10 I almost always think they have quit. Not sure why but chick and veins get hard to see. Then as quick as they got hard to see they are back to normal. Lol

Good to know! I really enjoy candling them. It’s going to be hard later on when we won’t be able to see much.

Still trying to sort out what to do for a brooder if I somehow get a good hatch rate lol. I have a tall old wardrobe we just use for basement storage I may lay flat and modify it.

 

[junior67]

Good to know! I really enjoy candling them. It’s going to be hard later on when we won’t be able to see much.

Still trying to sort out what to do for a brooder if I somehow get a good hatch rate lol. I have a tall old wardrobe we just use for basement storage I may lay flat and modify it.

I still do a quick candle and look for a wiggle. Lol


I have brooded in a large dog crate with HWC around it, to keep them in and safe from my cats. A storage bin with top cut and HWC put on it. My fav is to brood in my coop. I sectioned off an area under my poop boards as a brooder. My bigs get used to the babies from day 1 and I can let them out in the coop/run around 4 weeks old. But I don't use a heat lamp so makes it easier to do that.

 

[Kikilu]

I still do a quick candle and look for a wiggle. Lol


I have brooded in a large dog crate with HWC around it, to keep them in and safe from my cats. A storage bin with top cut and HWC put on it. My fav is to brood in my coop. I sectioned off an area under my poop boards as a brooder. My bigs get used to the babies from day 1 and I can let them out in the coop/run around 4 weeks old. But I don't use a heat lamp so makes it easier to do that.

I have the brinsea eco glow heat plate. Too scared of the heat lamps. Our temps vary so much in spring so not sure when they could actually go out. I can’t even put my started plants out until mid June I’d love to be able to do in coop.

 

[Janeothejungle]

They’re Here! My first attempt! I possibly had too much caffeine today and am freaking out a little! A few seem too poopy, can I gentle rub it off without messing them up?

 

[gimmie birdies]

If you can do it dry.

 

[LhickenChicken]

Day 5! I’ve been candling once a day even though I told myself not to. I justify it because it’s my first time so I need to see the whole process! Plus step-daughter is loving doing the check in’s seeing the changes.

Today more development - seeing the eye. I thought I had some that looked like they were starting to quit but all looked good. Couldn’t see anything in my dark Easter egger. Some darker ones hard to tell but pretty sure they look good.

I’m going to start talking to my eggs now too!

Yayyyyyy! It's SO hard not to candle! I have a question though, do chicks usually hatch in the day or night?

 

[LhickenChicken]

I have the brinsea eco glow heat plate. Too scared of the heat lamps. Our temps vary so much in spring so not sure when they could actually go out. I can’t even put my started plants out until mid June I’d love to be able to do in coop.

So do I! Actually I have the brooder not the heat plate but its brinsea eco glow! Same brand!

 

[LhickenChicken]

Good to know! I really enjoy candling them. It’s going to be hard later on when we won’t be able to see much.

Still trying to sort out what to do for a brooder if I somehow get a good hatch rate lol. I have a tall old wardrobe we just use for basement storage I may lay flat and modify it.

Yes I just modified an old drawer for my brooder, so the wardrobe will probably work too. I want you to get a good hatch rate! I actually hope everyone gets a good hatch rate, lol. Maybe try candling them in the dark to see better for your I think it was an EE egg that you couldn't see anything in? I think most of my eggs will hatch, I hope.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I am really excited about some of the eggs I waited for to be fertile. The journey started in 2006 with the great grandparents of these eggs. ( the gray egg)

4 generations of birds that I guided is so exciting. I am down to one hen, so I am glad to keep it going.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Yayyyyyy! It's SO hard not to candle! I have a question though, do chicks usually hatch in the day or night?

They hatch whenever they're ready, day or night.