HALLOWEEN Hatch-a-Long 2016 w/ Hosts, Mike, Sally & BantyChooks

[Mylied]

Today's lockdown and I can't seem to get the humidity up. I'm not sure if it's my hygrometer as I've only been using the one that is on the incubator. The eggs have developed fine and have good looking air cells. It's read around 48% the whole time with no water in it. Today I put in water and then a sponge. Now it's reading 43%? Should I worry about it if I have water and a sponge in it or should I try to find a new hygrometer tomorrow?

 

[mlm Mike]

Quote: I like your thinking, Mike! I hope so...until Christmas!

This little sweetie OEGB didn't like the day we're having. Her and her sis were just weaned by their mom's.
Found her on her side in the wind about to expire. Had to bring her in and set her on the radiator to warm up.

Today's lockdown and I can't seem to get the humidity up. I'm not sure if it's my hygrometer as I've only been using the one that is on the incubator. The eggs have developed fine and have good looking air cells. It's read around 48% the whole time with no water in it. Today I put in water and then a sponge. Now it's reading 43%? Should I worry about it if I have water and a sponge in it or should I try to find a new hygrometer tomorrow?

I would try new calibrated hygrometer. What kind of incubator?

 

[Mylied]

I would try new calibrated hygrometer. What kind of incubator?

Little Giant from TSC. Here's what they looked like this afternoon:

 

[mlm Mike]

Quote: I've never used one, but my understanding is the thermometer and hygrometer that comes with them are not that accurate. Unless you live in a very humid place you probably will need to add additional water for humidity. Did you say the trays are empty?

 

[DwayneNLiz]

I like your thinking, Mike! I hope so...until Christmas! This little sweetie OEGB didn't like the day we're having. Her and her sis were just weaned by their mom's. Found her on her side in the wind about to expire. Had to bring her in and set her on the radiator to warm up. Thank you, I appreciate your offer. The whole crossing border thing would put a crimp in such plans...lol. Cochin's have feathered feet? I'm trying to breed away from feathered feet. The Silkies legs/feet I have are not my favorite thing.:/ You inspired me to do a plastic incubator. I picked one up for $5. It's an old one with the shiny interior. I think I'll route everything through the top. And that makes 4 bators, 3 in the making/tweaking stage...much to my hubby's dismay.

glad you found the oegb Lol sorry about the bator

Little Giant from TSC. Here's what they looked like this afternoon:

did u calibrate?

 

[Mylied]

I've never used one, but my understanding is the thermometer and hygrometer that comes with them are not that accurate. Unless you live in a very humid place you probably will need to add additional water for humidity. Did you say the trays are empty?

I added water to the trays today. I put in a damp sponge and a cup of water (that chicks can't get into). It's now creeped up to 49%. I do live in a humid area, but not humid enough. I'll see how it looks in the morning and then see if I can get another hygrometer.

did u calibrate?

No, I didn't read about calibrating until recently. I thought it was alright because when I first started it up, without the eggs, I added water and it was like 70% humidity. Then I read about the dry hatch, so I took out the water and it was consistently around 48% and I live in GA, so I wasn't worried about it. Now, of course, I'm worried.

 

[Mylied]

My husband had a hygrometer on his truck for work, so I'm checking it now. :-D I didn't even think about him having one for his HVAC work.

 

[lpatelski]

Hey y'all, I followed Mylied here to this fun Halloween hatch-a-long - Thanks Mike, Sally & BantyChooks for hosting!

Here is what I have so far:
F3 generation - 7/8th Dark Cornish crossbred. White chick with green dot is an F2 generation 50%DC 50%CX
This was my first batch after my hens stopped laying from heat and molt. My spring born pullets are just now starting to lay.
Batch#1 had a total of 7 eggs and went into the incubator on 9/10/16, I checked the unhatched eggs - 3 quit but were developed at least 16 days.
They went into the still hatcher on 9/28/16 to hatch on October 1 Hatch-A-Long and the Halloween hatch-a-long!


Next batch#2 will go into the still hatcher on 10/04/16 to hatch on 10/07/16 - had 10 eggs (2 yolkers at 1st candling) so now 8.
Next batch#3 will go into the still hatcher on 10/10/16 to hatch on 10/13/16 - had 14 eggs (1 yolker) so now 13.
Next batch#4 will go into the still hatcher on 10/16/16 to hatch on 10/19/16 - has 13 eggs.
Next batch#5 will go went into the incubator 10/04/16, then the still hatcher on 10/22/16 to hatch on 10/25/16. 10 eggs gathered so far.14 eggs in.
Next batch#6 will go into the incubator 10/10/16, the still hatcher on 10/28/16 to hatch on 10/31/16 ending hatch-a-long with Halloween chicks!

Today's chick activities: Batch#2
Got home and one hatched with several more pipping. F2 50DC/50CX

 

[bauerdog]

I got 9 fluffy butts out of 15 set. Waiting on two eggs, not holding my breath....I do have a dozen duck eggs due to hatch Tuesday. My first time with ducks. They take forever to hatch, right?

 

[fireredcannon]

Yay, 1 out of the 15 has a perfect silkie foot! Pretty sure it's a black Australorp x white silkie cross

she's staying with me, I'm dying to see what that looks like