Hatch-Along - Setting eggs this weekend (Jan5/6) WHOS WITH ME!

[fisherlady]

You might pull back a stump, eh fisherlady? Lol!

Actually, Gracie has been incredibly tolerant of us silly humans.... she is very docile, and throughout her broody mood hasn't objected to us lifting her off of the nest once a day to set her out for scratch and dust time. She usually chirrups at us when we swap out her food dish or clean her water, but doesn't growl or screech like other broodies might. So we've been very lucky.
We just decided that we wouldn't disturb her after day 17 or 18 so that we didn't mess something up. We actually haven't lifted her or bothered her since this last weekend because of the extreme cold. We have been watching her on video though... we have a security camera in her broody box so we can keep track.


But that may all change once she has babies running around!! We will hopefully find out soon...

 

[Shellz]

Be patient dblea202! It's hard, I know! They can be quiet for some time. My 3 have been very quiet today. They expended a lot of energy yesterday, when they were more active. This is day 19 for me too!

 

[FeyRaine]

GOT MY FIRST PIP!!!!!!!!

woohoo, go little eggie hatch and become a real chick

my first one hatched about an hour ago-a basque hen! I have 4 external pips working atm! How long should I keep the chicks in the bator before moving over to brooder? This one is sorta dry/little moist on top still...?

This is when it is most important to NOT open the bator b/c of the external pips, the membrane is exposed to the bator air and if you let out too much humidity opening the lid the membrane can dry, shrinkwrap go glue-y etc. But if you really really have to then try to not open it all the way, and be sure the humidity is really high, &/or toss a hot&wet papertowle , &/or spritz the inside of the lid w/ hot mist of water -- basically whatever you can do to make sure the air touching the external pip where the membrane is exposed stays properly moist rather than going suddenly way dry. If the bator humidity is really up & you can slip your hand in and grab the chick fast w/o a bunch of air going in&out it can be no big deal so it depends on your situation really.


@fisherlady -- That is SOO great that Gracie has her first chick hatched. She sounds like such a fantastic broody hen


---
Currently I still have zero happening here , well other than wild temp swings since lockdown and an off&on ICE storm.
But since I set at 8PM local time, it really is still 30 mins. til day 20 and day 21 doesn't actually really start for me until 8pm Sat.
waiting, gonna need to watch a movie, maybe w/ popcorn & a glass of wine ...

Will post again when I have anything to report.

 

[chicken pickin]

woohoo, go little eggie hatch and become a real chick
This is when it is most important to NOT open the bator b/c of the external pips, the membrane is exposed to the bator air and if you let out too much humidity opening the lid the membrane can dry, shrinkwrap go glue-y etc. But if you really really have to then try to not open it all the way, and be sure the humidity is really high, &/or toss a hot&wet papertowle , &/or spritz the inside of the lid w/ hot mist of water -- basically whatever you can do to make sure the air touching the external pip where the membrane is exposed stays properly moist rather than going suddenly way dry. If the bator humidity is really up & you can slip your hand in and grab the chick fast w/o a bunch of air going in&out it can be no big deal so it depends on your situation really.


@fisherlady -- That is SOO great that Gracie has her first chick hatched. She sounds like such a fantastic broody hen


---
Currently I still have zero happening here , well other than wild temp swings since lockdown and an off&on ICE storm.
But since I set at 8PM local time, it really is still 30 mins. til day 20 and day 21 doesn't actually really start for me until 8pm Sat.
waiting, gonna need to watch a movie, maybe w/ popcorn & a glass of wine ...

Will post again when I have anything to report.

Thats what I did lol I just got back from redbox only I wish I had wine, we got corona instead and have a blazing fire going in the fireplace. Im so bad I drag the couch over to the fireplace to watch the movie lol. Maybe a movie date night will stop me from starring at the eggs.

 

[CamiLynn]

I too haven't had any action since my 3 bounced around last night. Hoping my humidity going up and down hasn't done anything bad. I'm on day 20, 19, and one little straggling bantam egg that I couldn't help but put in is on day 18. I'm staring at the bator just hoping to see something, but nothing.

On a good note, it is quite exciting seeing and hearing about all the chicks, pips and motion! Don't mind me if I'm a tad but jealous...lol

 

[heirloomorps]

We have cheeping!

 

[CamiLynn]

Oh and wanted to add that I'm sure glad no one sees me and that my bf doesn't think I'm crazy, cause I have been "peeping" at my bator in hopes I will get a reply...hasn't worked out so far

 

[CamiLynn]

Omg I spoke too soon!! Myself AND my bf most definitely heard peeps!!

 

[Shellz]

Oh yeah, CamiLynn! Been doing it too! Lol! Worked 2x today! Some birds just don't make any noise. May still be fine!
Good stuff, hardinpoultry! Soon, soon!
I'm grabbing some booze! Going to make like chicken pickin!
Good luck folks! I'm down for the count! Lol!

 

[fisherlady]

time for some human humidity! LOL.... this waiting is driving us nuts....

We don't have an incubator to stare at... we only get a video monitor pic of Gracie.....

it's gonna be a long night!