First time Incubating

[NyxKnocks]

Hi Everyone! I got into chickens last spring and due to an accidental rooster, I thought it would be fun to incubate eggs this spring. I have 13 hens of various breeds and a Black LF Cochin rooster. This thread is to serve as an incubation journal of sorts, but feel free to comment and follow along! I could use the encouragement, I’m a nervous wreck. Haha.

Disclaimer: I was not fussy about storing my hatching eggs as I was hoarding them. All I did was put them pointy side down in egg cartons in our cool-ish house. I tried making sure everything was 7 or less days old, but a few 10 day old eggs might have worked their way in there. Also, I’m using a Chinese cheapo incubator, since I’m not too serious about it yet.

I set 36 eggs in the incubator on Tuesday 3/31 (which is my chickens’ first birthday! We baked them a cake of cornbread w/ corn and kidney beans!) I picked this day because it would make April 1st “day one” and April 18 would be day 18, etc. That would be so nice and simple to remember what day we were on by syncing the date, right?

Hahahaha, the universe had different plans. The power went out exactly 17 mins after carefully arranging the eggs in the auto turner and closing the door. A tree took down our power lines in our front wooded lot. Threw a towel over the incubator and hoped for the best.The power didn’t come back on until Thursday at 2pm.

Ok, the google machine says it’s probably fine. The age of some eggs might be moving towards the questionable side, but, perhaps I’m lucky that it was exactly the best time to lose power for 48 hours. We will see!

I’m hoping to candle these eggs on Wednesday or Thursday this week and have a better grip on their status. I’ve been reading and watching videos like crazy and I can’t believe how many variables there are in each persons incubation temps, humidity, candling schedules, etc. So I’ve decided for this hatch to lower my expectations of myself and not to be a lunatic about it.
Easier said than done, but I’ll feel much better after candling and seeing if there’s anything growing in there.

Thanks for reading and feel free to follow along. Here’s hoping for a 4/23 (or 4/24… or 4/25) hatch!

Ladies hard at work:

Alfie Hitchcock, the free loader:

Birthday “cake”:

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Hi Everyone! I got into chickens last spring and due to an accidental rooster, I thought it would be fun to incubated eggs this spring. I have 13 hens of various breeds and a Black LF Cochin rooster. This thread is to serve as an incubation journal of sorts, but feel free to comment and follow along! I could use the encouragement, I’m a nervous wreck. Haha.

Disclaimer: I was not fussy about storing my hatching eggs as I was hoarding them. All I did was put them pointy side down in egg cartons in our cool-ish house. I tried making sure everything was 7 or less days old, but a few 10 day old eggs might have worked their way in there. Also, I’m using a Chinese cheapo incubator, since I’m not too serious about it yet.

I set 36 eggs in the incubator on Tuesday 3/31 (which is my chickens’ first birthday! We baked them a cake of cornbread w/ kidney beans!) I picked this day because it would make April 1st “day one” and April 18 would be day 18, etc. That would be so nice and simple to remember what day we were on by syncing the date, right?

Hahahaha, the universe had different plans. The power went out exactly 17 mins after carefully arranging the eggs in the auto turner and closing the door. A tree took down our power lines in our front wooded lot. Threw a towel over the incubator and hoped for the best.The power didn’t come back on until Thursday at 2pm.

Ok, the google machine says it’s probably fine. The age of some eggs might be moving towards the questionable side, but, perhaps I’m lucky that it was exactly the best time to lose power for 48 hours. We will see!

I’m hoping to candle these eggs on Wednesday or Thursday this week and have a better grip on their status. I’ve been reading and watching videos like crazy and I can’t believe how many variables there are in each persons incubation temps, humidity, candling schedules, etc. So I’ve decided for this hatch to lower my expectations of myself and not to be a lunatic about it.

Goodluck!!! First one is always a learning experience! I to use the threads to track everything! Great for all to learn from too!

Keep us updated!

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

Hi Everyone! So I’ve decided for this hatch to lower my expectations of myself and not to be a lunatic about it.

Welcome!
I suggest you read some of @DemeterAD9 threads and hatching experiences.
Above all don't let the hatching experience drive you over the edge, whatever chicks end up hatching will be special because they will be your first.