February Hatch-A-Long

[BenlynFarm]

Getting close to being done! 16 hatched and one zipping now! Two left after that! It’s a full house in there

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I guess I’m around day 9/10??

Went from 9 eggs down to I think 4. I’ve lost or in the process of losing veins and what’s starting to look like puddles of separating fluids.(like the middle school science experiment with fluids of varying density /oil and water) Sad part is I can still see some moving around inside on their own.

anyone care to confirm my suspicion? And what’s the next course of action, keep them as long as you see wiggles? Or toss them when veins turn into puddles?

thanks, in for the learning experience.

I want to say that's the yolk where the vessels haven't reached yet, it should fill up with blood vessels as the chick grows. A video would help if you can. Just my two cents

I agree with @kyeschicks. The embryo is still developing and has not taken up all the room in the shell yet. It feeds of the yolk and this will get smaller as it develops. As long as you are seeing movement and veining, it is doing well. As the chick develops and takes up more and more of the room in the egg, you will not see veining as easily and movement will also decrease.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Getting close to being done! 16 hatched and one zipping now! Two left after that! It’s a full house in there View attachment 2520322View attachment 2520323

That is one full incubator!
Congratulations!

 

[LowcoMatt]

I agree with @kyeschicks. The embryo is still developing and has not taken up all the room in the shell yet. It feeds of the yolk and this will get smaller as it develops. As long as you are seeing movement and veining, it is doing well. As the chick develops and takes up more and more of the room in the egg, you will not see veining as easily and movement will also decrease.

thanks. I’ll candle again tonight. Appreciate the input.

Can you guys and gals recommend a humidity gauge? I’ve been dry incubating so far (90% humidity outside, 45% in house) but I know I’ll need to start paying attention to more info soon. Trying not to buy at Walmart Amazon/EBay.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

thanks. I’ll candle again tonight. Appreciate the input.

Can you guys and gals recommend a humidity gauge? I’ve been dry incubating so far (90% humidity outside, 45% in house) but I know I’ll need to start paying attention to more info soon. Trying not to buy at Walmart Amazon/EBay.

The ones used for aquariums/terrariums work well. Local pet/fish store maybe?
Edited to add photo.
This one if from Fluker. They are very inexpensive and I prefer them to the digitial ones, which always seem to be way off in my experience.
When I salt calibrated them, they were only off by about 1%.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

thanks. I’ll candle again tonight. Appreciate the input.

Can you guys and gals recommend a humidity gauge? I’ve been dry incubating so far (90% humidity outside, 45% in house) but I know I’ll need to start paying attention to more info soon. Trying not to buy at Walmart Amazon/EBay.

In addition to the pet stores mentioned above you can also try a local smoke shop. They're use for humidors (cigars) and drying weed.

 

[LowcoMatt]

The ones used for aquariums/terrariums work well. Local pet/fish store maybe?
Edited to add photo.
This one if from Fluker. They are very inexpensive and I prefer them to the digitial ones, which always seem to be way off in my experience.
When I salt calibrated them, they were only off by about 1%.

In addition to the pet stores mentioned above you can also try a local smoke shop. They're use for humidors (cigars) and drying weed.

Funny enough I used to work in a pet store, and I’ve never smoked a cigar. And I thought of a humidor first. Haha

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Any of you lovely hatch a-long members give shipped eggs to a broody?
I have 3 very broody silkie girls who would love to set. They stopped laying about a week ago. I have been trying to break them, but they are determined.
I was thinking to give one or two or all three a few of the eggs I just got yesterday.
Keep a few in the incubator, as a kind of control group.
The eggs have poor air cells, so I thought I would keep them in the incubator for a few days where they currently are sitting upright in cartons.
I have been reading all I can about this on the threads and sounds like chances are not great, even with the broody.
Alternatively, I could continue to use the incubator and then give them the chicks after they hatch. Not sure if they will still be broody then.
I have more eggs coming in a few weeks, so it would not be a great loss either way.

 

[Nmarine1057]

I love seeing everyone's progress, congratulations! I'm on day 6, I candled and all 7 are showing progress! Keep the pictures coming!

You must be a photographer!

Also here’s some baby photos from first hatch at 4 days old !
Mottled Orpingtons:
View attachment 2519507View attachment 2519506View attachment 2519505View attachment 2519504View attachment 2519503View attachment 2519502View attachment 2519501View attachment 2519500View attachment 2519499
Opal Legbar:
View attachment 2519509View attachment 2519510View attachment 2519511View attachment 2519512View attachment 2519513

Also here’s some baby photos from first hatch at 4 days old !
Mottled Orpingtons:
View attachment 2519507View attachment 2519506View attachment 2519505View attachment 2519504View attachment 2519503View attachment 2519502View attachment 2519501View attachment 2519500View attachment 2519499
Opal Legbar:
View attachment 2519509View attachment 2519510View attachment 2519511View attachment 2519512View attachment 2519513

You must be a photographer! These are awesome! Nice chicks

 

[BenlynFarm]

Everyone is out and fluffy! Out of the 20 fertile, 19 hatched! I’m super happy with that! Just a few pics!