First Time Hatcher

[yorkchick]

On the edge of my seat here... Do tell!

 

[julie0477]

Lol well it's the morning of day 21 and no pipping or egg movement. With my luck they will hatch and it will be while I'm at work. And they will wander out of the bator into the loving arms of my cat. I should put the cat up tomorrow huh? I'll report any changes. The more I've read the more I am convinced it will be a miracle if these lil guys make it. So many variables beyond your control with this little bator. I'm afraid I opened it too many times too late in the game to readjust water, etc. the water dries up quickly in that thing. But you never know. It seemed to work for cookfamilyfarms and pandapaw23!

 

[yorkchick]

Well... Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say! Keep us updated!

Is there a way (for a future attempt) in this incubator to get some of that clear plastic aquarium tubing and snake it into where you need the water without opening the lid? Then you can just add water as needed via a syringe without opening the lid. I have no idea if this would work with this model--I myself have only incubated once but I did this with a Genesis (obviously bigger), of course an idea I got from another BYC thread. Worked great.

 

[julie0477]

That's a good idea. I could probably make a small hole and do something like that if i try again with this thing. Its awfully small. Only fits three average sized chicken eggs max. I guess I didn't realize how important the variations in humidity, etc were when I started. I also saw a post on YouTube where a guy had soaked a couple of cotton balls and added those for the lockdown period. His hatched. I still haven't seen any progress. I have no patience. I keep stopping what I'm doing and just staring at them like that's going to help lol

 

[julie0477]

If I try this again I might put some styrofoam around it as well. It's been really warm and I still had a rough time keeping the temp.

 

[julie0477]

Well, I'm in the middle or towards the end of day 22. I came home from work today and there was a smell. Something had died. It was the bator. Dang it! I for a brief second considered just throwing them both out with out even looking to spare myself the grief but I couldnt do it. I also considered leaving them both another day or two, but the smell was only going to get worse and its in my kitchen. So I got out the flashlight. Took my first egg into a dark room and tried to peer inside. Completely dark. No air sac or anything. I checked the second egg and there was still a good size air sac and I THINK I saw movement. Well, I decided to remove the dark egg. I took it outside and dug a hole and opened it up inside. It was a perfectly formed little yellow chick. I think it fully developed and then ended up suffocating before getting out. This could have been a problem with the humidity, but I read it also could have been a problem with the way the egg laid. This particular egg had a ridge around the middle, which I didnt think was a big deal when I set it, but it may have prevented it from laying the way it was suppose to. Anyway, thats that. My perfect lil yellow chick did not make it, but I still have the one left in the bator. I know removing an egg and candling at this point is not necessarily a good thing but I felt I had too, and I was very careful and gently put it back so I am hoping that there is still a chance for this lil guy. I'll have to talk to my fellow chicken friends or do a quick hatchery order if he does make it to get him some friends the same age!

 

[julie0477]

Day 23 - no pipping on the remaining egg but hey, at least it doesn't stink . I'm going to give it more time.

 

[Birdlover21]

If your on a budget ou should consider making a home made bator. They can work just as fine as a commercial bought incubator or even better. I paid only 15 dollars for the wafer thermostat and the rest I had laying around in my garage.

Good luck with your hatch.

 

[julie0477]

I've considered it but Im not very handy. I'd hate to subject the eggs to my lack of skills. But ive heard of a lot of people having great success. My friend and I are considering splitting the cost of a brinsea. She's as addicted to chickens as I am.