First batch of eggs ever starting today!

[Squawkbox]

UGH! This stupid homebator bator just gets to me!! So, my incubator had to go about 3 hours without being checked. I just checked it and the temp at the top of the eggs was 105

. I candled them and they were all squiggling around (in the little space they have left!) thank the Lord!!! I would have been so irked if I had gotten this far only to cook them to death.
I can't wait until they are done hatching and I can somewhat get back on track without obssessing about the temp/humidity of an incubator

.

 

[The Breaker]

thes are some pics from last night now there are six chicks in the brooder 3 in the incubator and two pips I well ad some updated pics later.

 

[rlwt]

That is so cool! I love the pictures of the half broken egg. Once I am done with the incubator at home I am taking it to school and doing an incubating project with my students (luckily I've got a parent who wants lots of chicks). This at home deal is kind of a way for me to figure out what to expect as well as get some chicks for myself but it's cool to see all the steps and I'll be able to share that with the kids at school. I have a feeling they're going to enjoy this project...

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Congrats chicken boy on the hatch so far. Great pics!

I candled mine last night. Of the 42 I set,[18 Delaware and 24 Icelandic] I had 11 clear ones. 8 were Delawares and 3 were Icelandics. So I am thinking that maybe the Delaware cockeral is having trouble keeping up with 11 ladies.

 

[Squawkbox]

Congrats Chicken boy!

Do you all keeps your roos with your hens all the time? I have mine separate and bring the hens one at a time to his coop and he gets them right then and there lol

 

[Cynthia12]

thes are some pics from last night now there are six chicks in the brooder 3 in the incubator and two pips I well ad some updated pics later.

 

[hdowden]

I'm not sure yet when to put mine into lockdown. A few were put in on the 20th, but the majority on the 19th. Would a day earlier harm the ones that were put in later? Or should I start lockdown on the first batches 19th day?

I started collecting eggs again yesterday, so I will shove another few dozen in once these come out.

i have read and been told that going into lockdown on day 17 wont hurt them some people dont go into lockdown till they get a pip

 

[Cynthia12]

i have read and been told that going into lockdown on day 17 wont hurt them some people dont go into lockdown till they get a pip

Yes, that should be fine. I am going to wait..until 19..just half the day through, to go into lock down, so I can put some others that are due the next day..so they can be in lock down at the same time. Just a half a days difference.

 

[Cynthia12]

Getting my bator ready for my Australorps, and my few EE's. I was thinking that I would put the BLRW eggs in there at the same time, but I am going to put them in a still air bator. Watch the temp in there, easier in the still air than the forced air to keep the humidity up.
Babies, coming soon!

 

[Squawkbox]

I just put mine in lockdown, added all the water and am waiting for it to raise. I don't think it is normal how much water I have in this thing . I have the entire bottom of the incubator full of water (which is 23" X 21") and the humidity is only 50% ...ugh.... how do I get it higher!!!???