Hands on hatching and help

[PD-Riverman]

I've seen lots of people struggle with BCMs because generally they loose moisture slower because of the pigmentation making the shells thicker. You already use a lower humidity, many people do not.

OK, I miss things----no offence meant. I knew I did not have a problem. Keep up the good Work/helping!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I just finished up a hatch of porcelain d'uccles that went really well. I hatched 10 out of 12 eggs, so an 83% hatch rate. Not bad at all for shipped eggs from California! I didn't have to do any assisting either, it was a nice easy hatch.

That is excellent for shipped, especially that far! Congrats! I always seem to average 2 eggs out of every hatch that don't make it. I don't know why 2 seems to be my number.

OK, I miss things----no offence meant. I knew I did not have a problem. Keep up the good Work/helping!

I've just seen a lot of people, normally those that incubate their eggs at 40-45% successfully tackle BCMs and not understand why they have a much lower hatch rate with the BCMs. As a matter of fact, if I remember right SC had that issue. Until they lower the humidity they struggle with hatch rates.

 

[Pyxis]

That is excellent for shipped, especially that far! Congrats! I always seem to average 2 eggs out of every hatch that don't make it. I don't know why 2 seems to be my number.

I've just seen a lot of people, normally those that incubate their eggs at 40-45% successfully tackle BCMs and not understand why they have a much lower hatch rate with the BCMs. As a matter of fact, if I remember right SC had that issue. Until they lower the humidity they struggle with hatch rates.

Thanks! I'm really happy with that number, for sure!

On the BCM front, they definitely are harder if you don't know to use a lower humidity with them. That's also why it is recommended that when people are doing multiple breeds at once with BCMs and they need to have their humidity higher for the other breeds that they gently sand down the shell over the air cell to remove some of the thick coloring to allow them to lose moisture at the same rate as the other eggs.

 

[Chicken cas]

Sorry for your loss. Here's my duck hatch. Please note, I cheated and used momma duck as a bator (smiles)

 

[lizardboy55]

Okay so one of our babies feet won't open. I though it was because it just hatched but it's been at least two days and he just uses his legs to move. Does anyone know what I can do to get his feet to stay open? I think if he can get his feet open and not use his legs he'll be fine. I took a picture of her feet. That's basically what they look like. She won't open them on her own. I try and she just peeps really loudly. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Okay so one of our babies feet won't open. I though it was because it just hatched but it's been at least two days and he just uses his legs to move. Does anyone know what I can do to get his feet to stay open? I think if he can get his feet open and not use his legs he'll be fine. I took a picture of her feet. That's basically what they look like. She won't open them on her own. I try and she just peeps really loudly. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

You can put a little booty on the feet. There's some examples here http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/spraddle-leg-in-baby-chicks-what-is-it.html. You can find more pics googling curled toes in chicks or ducks if you don't like any of those.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Two and three are out...

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Four! Lol

 

[WVduckchick]

First one hatched over an hour ago. It's a dark one. Drying blue/silver.

2, 3, 4! Yeah!! Congrats. Keep em coming!

I just finished up a hatch of porcelain d'uccles that went really well. I hatched 10 out of 12 eggs, so an 83% hatch rate. Not bad at all for shipped eggs from California! I didn't have to do any assisting either, it was a nice easy hatch.

Gotta love an easy hatch for a change! Hope the Seramas don't make you assist too much!

That is excellent for shipped, especially that far! Congrats! I always seem to average 2 eggs out of every hatch that don't make it. I don't know why 2 seems to be my number.
I've just seen a lot of people, normally those that incubate their eggs at 40-45% successfully tackle BCMs and not understand why they have a much lower hatch rate with the BCMs. As a matter of fact, if I remember right SC had that issue. Until they lower the humidity they struggle with hatch rates.

I just hatched 2 Marans. Air cells were small, and those monster chickens zipped a very small opening. I don't know how they made it out, but they did. Lower humidity will definitely be in order for me if I incubate any more of them.
One is black copper, the blue will either stay blue, or be birchen, will have to wait for feathering to be sure.

 

[WVduckchick]

Saved a wrong-end pipper yesterday. After looking at the major draw-down of the air cell, and how tightly crammed to the bottom of the shell this little one was, I knew I had to assist. The pip was almost in the very bottom of the egg, and the gunk that usually ends up in the pointy end was right in her face. Ran into a little blood, but not too bad. I didn't get to watch her push out, but she eventually hatched on her own, after I opened a little further. I thought maybe she had a slipped tendon, or leg issue, but this morning, she is doing great!!

First wrong-ender I've had in a long time. But its worth noting, this was one of the eggs that I had to candle when laid to see which end the air cell was on. Oblong, but both ends were very rounded.