February hatch-a-long 2018

[Abraeri]

Ok sooo definitely newbie learning curve here! I have made a couple mistakes that I hope will not turn disastrous. First off all the articles I read did not specify to use a pencil to mark the eggs... I used a sharpie. Also my diy incubator has proved near impossible to keep a steady reading and has fluctuated anywhere from 93 to 106, according to my thermometer, but mostly has stayed in the 99-102 range. I bought a real incubator from tractor supply the day before, a basic still air. Feeling much more confident but still worried. Probably a silly question but where exactly should I place the temp gauge? It seems like it varies widely in the reading by barely moving it. I know it's a little early (I started them on the night of the 10) but I couldn't contain myself any longer and candled them this morning. Some are blobs, others look like they might have the beginning forms of veins, and three others have distinct circles.

I think you will be fine, I'm a newbie and made a lot of mistakes but all my ducklings (9) look fine in their shells!

If I remember right, I do not think sharpie is a problem. Take a look at the below thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...with-sharpie-answer-is-yes-with-proof.630135/

The temp gauge should be placed half-way up the eggs to get an accurate reading, since in a still air their will be different pockets of heat. Sometimes my thermometer slipped to the top and would read 114, giving me a mini panic attack On the same note, when you turn your eggs, make sure you move them around the incubator, due to the different heat pockets.

Good luck!

EDIT: Temp should be measured half-way up the eggs and not at the top. Don't think it'd make much difference but just wanted to clarify

 

[Familyfarm47]

second chick is out and third just pipped while i was looking right at it!
first one keeps attacking the newbie

 

[Jesusfreak101]

Well sounds like I have one chirppinh so excited

 

[Jesusfreak101]

Hatching fever has set in lol I want to put more eggs in the incubator lol. I am thinking about saling them but if I can't I have extra chicks I already am going to have extra lol this might end badly. My three year old hens are still plumbing out eggs at a new layers rate.... Grrr I might have to figure something out like maybe a larger coop
Lol my husband might not like that.

 

[Jesusfreak101]

One pipped this morning haven't heard anything but it just might be resting

 

[TheChickenRun]

Hatch is complete, from the 12 eggs 3 were not fertilized. All 9 hatched, pretty stocked but did learn a lot in the process.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/miscalculation-bumbling-lockdown-and-a-hatch.1221775/
Here are a few pics

 

[Familyfarm47]

oh dear. one of my silkies pipped wrong end!

 

[JaeG]

oh dear. one of my silkies pipped wrong end!

Most of the time they can make it out just fine on their own. Maybe prop it up so that the pip is slightly higher than the fat end of the egg, just in case there is a bit of fluid still left in the egg.

 

[Jesusfreak101]

I have one completely out now and one that has pipped and working on zipping

 

[JaeG]

I have one completely out now and one that has pipped and working on zipping

Adorable!