First Hatch, Due Febuary 25. Who's with me?

[Miss Sebright]

Is there anything else I should know?

 

[lolalucy]

Mine are due 25th of Feb also. My first hatch!

 

[Chipper]

Quote:
Just tell us what you have questions about and we will try to help you.

I have hatches coming up on Feb.20 and on the 24th all Buckeyes.

What kind of incubator are you using and what are you trying to hatch?

 

[juliecox]

I have eggs set that are due then too! This is the fourth hatch. The first two were under a hen, which I'm not doing anymore because while she is a good broody, she is not a good mama, and tends to trample chicks. She's the only one out of my four that has ever gone broody. Ah well. The last hatch I used a friend's old incubator, and that didn't go so well. I got 9 out of 36. This time around, I'm trying out an old cabinet incubator. It seems to be a nice piece of equipment, a GQF 2066, but the temp is staying a little low at 97. I hope it comes up some. I haven't been able to get a good reading on this stupid hygrometer, so I'm going to go buy a new one today and hope all is still well. I don't expect too much from this hatch; I bought 90 eggs for $18 from a lady who has a VERY mixed flock and sells the eggs for eating; they just happen to be mostly fertile because she has roosters out with her hens. There are some Easter Eggers, though, some nice blue and green eggs, and maybe a silkie cross or two apparently, so we'll see what weirdos I end up with, if any. XD

 

[The Point]

Me too! I have 10 BCM due the 25. This is my second hatch and I am way more worried this time because I actually have the all the info now. I had 6 out 11 hatch the first time. One died at a day and half old. It seemed normal the first day but must have had something wrong with it because it keep flipping over on its back and couldn't right itself. One pipped and zipped but never hatched and 4 that were fully developed but never even pipped. (3 of which were from the same hen) So I'm ready to do a better job this time with all my new found BYC knowledge!

 

[Miss Sebright]

Good luck!

 

[Miss Sebright]

What day should I candle?..... And how do I do it?

 

[Miss Sebright]

Um, guys?

 

[Chipper]

Since you do not have lots of experiance with this I would candle on day 10.By then anything going on inside the egg will be very easy to see and the embryo will no longer be as sensitive as it once was.

There are different ways to candle.I will tell you how I do it.If you are right handed,make a loose fist with your left hand but leave a hole down through the center,use a mini-mag LED flashlight and stick it up into the hole you made with your fist from the bottom.Lay the egg sideways on top of the hole you have made and adjust your fingers so no light is escaping.
You will need to do this in a very dark room but don't worry after a few times you will be able to do it with your eyes closed.(Hee,Hee,just kidding)

For more information on candling and what to look for go to the stickys under incubating and hatching eggs.Good Luck

 

[Miss Sebright]

Thanks Chipper!