First set date 3/20

[RustyBucketFarmGirl]

Hello friends! I am a teacher and chicken owner. Finished a chickquest training and set to hatch eggs from Meyer hatchery in my first grade classroom. Very excited and kind of nervous. Never hatched eggs before. Incubator set up today and running to make temp adjustments and assess water needs before setting the eggs.

Looking for support, suggestions and positive voices to coach me along the way!!

Thanks!

 

[Amc29]

I have just set up my first incubation myself! I used to help my dad when I was much younger, but this is the first time where I am fully responsible (eek!). Best of luck to you and happy hatching! I think it is a great process for children to be exposed to

 

[RustyBucketFarmGirl]

So myself and 4 other teachers set our incubators this week. They are looking good so far. One had a rough humidity drop but we went in all weekend to add water and got it stable again!!

How far would you let the humidity drop before you added water? I don’t want to take the lid off if it’s not warranted. Like today 2 of them were at 59%. Should i take the lid off and add?

I know we are aiming for 99.5 and 60% but i guess i am unsure about how spot on to keep those.

Thanks!

 

[aart]

Test your therms and hygros!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...incubator-thermometers-and-hygrometers.73634/

More good info:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-beginners-guide-to-incubation.73350/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incubation-humidity.73386/

 

[RustyBucketFarmGirl]

Things seem to be going well! I did some candeling and found that one was like solid with no veining. At first i decided to leave it for a day or 2 but then we started to smell a funny smell. When investigating the egg there was a tiny hole and the smell was coming from inside. So i tosses that one. Other wise the rest seem to have happy little movers so currently9/10 are looking viable!

 

[RustyBucketFarmGirl]

Lockdown started on Saturday and i should have babies anytime. 5 classes set theirs at the same time and the one class already has 3. So excited!!!

 

[Ekck]

Fun!!!! Keep us updated!!!

 

[aart]

Cool, have y'all been able to do some candling with the kids?
What will you do with all the chicks?

 

[RustyBucketFarmGirl]

We did some candeling and it was awesome! The kids were able to see the air sack and the moving developing chick! They were very intrigued.

We find homes. A few teachers are chicken raiders so they take some. And then we all ask around and find other reputable families that already have chickens. If we cannot find a home on our own the OSU extension office will help us. We are in a rural area so chicken coops are not hard to find. I just like to make sure they are going to a good home so i dig a bit deeper than some do.

 

[aart]

We did some candeling and it was awesome! The kids were able to see the air sack and the moving developing chick! They were very intrigued.

We find homes. A few teachers are chicken raiders so they take some. And then we all ask around and find other reputable families that already have chickens. If we cannot find a home on our own the OSU extension office will help us. We are in a rural area so chicken coops are not hard to find. I just like to make sure they are going to a good home so i dig a bit deeper than some do.

Sounds good.
We have some folks here every year who bring home one chick from school hatchings and they have no clue how to take care of it.
So it always makes me <cringe>