First-Timer

[littlecollier]

I love this! I'll check out both the black ceramic "bulbs" and the more affordable Premier1.

In other news, I think we may be setting our eggs tonight! Our friend has four waiting for us.

@WVduckchick Here's a big question ... I just found out she's been having a broody chicken watch over three of the four ... Will that change the number of days they'll need to be in the incubator?

Can we safely transfer the eggs or would it be better to ask her to start collecting again and keeping them separate in a cool place before we set them in the incubator?
So excited but a little nervous, too!

 

[WVduckchick]

Do you mean a duck hen has been sitting on the eggs, or she has just left them outside in the nest?
Usually ducks will lay, and collect eggs until they get a nest full. When they get close to the number they want, they will start spending more time on the nest. Unless she has spent much time on them, it shouldn't make much difference. How many layers does she have? If the owner could collect new ones every day, it might be worth waiting, but I don't think it matters too much either way. IF she can tell you that the hen hasn't been spending too much time on them.

 

[littlecollier]

There was a broody chicken that she told me had been sitting on the eggs, however somewhat inconsistently. My lovely partner jumped the gun and set the eggs while I was out of town over the weekend, so I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that all goes well.

In sad news, we found out last night that Momma Duck who had laid the eggs was attacked and killed by a dog. I'm hoping we'll have better success in hatching the four eggs they gave us so that I can give one back to replace their lost lady.

Hope they're strong little ducks in there!

 

[Miss Lydia]

So sorry about the mama duck she must have been sitting out in the open. Not such a good idea.

 

[littlecollier]

@Miss Lydia I’m not sure if the details but it’s always sad to lose a critter. Hoping we can hatch a healthy baby to help our friend with her loss.

A tragic reminder to keep our babies protected from threats since awful things can happen in the blink of an eye.

 

[WVduckchick]

Oh goodness!! Well, best of luck with the hatch, even more so now!

 

[littlecollier]

Well, I just realized I had been reading the hygrometer all wrong and it turns out my humidity has been about double what I thought it was. I should have trusted my gut that there was no way it was 30-40% with all that water!

That being said, will one day of high humidity be a complete disaster for our poor eggs? I’m hoping that they won’t be affected (or that they can recover) considering the recent developments with Momma Duck.

 

[WVduckchick]

Well, I just realized I had been reading the hygrometer all wrong and it turns out my humidity has been about double what I thought it was. I should have trusted my gut that there was no way it was 30-40% with all that water!

That being said, will one day of high humidity be a complete disaster for our poor eggs? I’m hoping that they won’t be affected (or that they can recover) considering the recent developments with Momma Duck.

Nah, you're fine. Glad you caught it now though! (a few days wouldn't hurt anything, but extended would not be great)

 

[littlecollier]

Oh goodness! That is great news. Thank you @WVduckchick!

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Glad you're here !

A must have for your poultry is a FIRST AID KIT for any issues that would arise. (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/suggestions-for-a-first-aid-kit.1150128/)
It's definitely better to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it.

Also, make sure your coop(s) have a proper amount of VENTILATION. (https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop.47774/) Your chickens will absolutely thank you for it!

One last thing, if you're into gardening, feel free to join this years SEED SWAP (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/seed-swap.1220129/)