Hatching - Day by Day - Chat thread!

[Pinky Macgyver]

Hello and good luck. According to the "Storey's Guide To Raising Chickens" you don't need to turn after day 14 but have never tried it. Soonest I stopped was at 17 with last hatch. Can you make a hatching incubator? That's what I did so I can run staggered hatches.

Can't make one in time really. But that's great news that they don't need turning after day 14 I'll take it off the turner in the morning. Thankyou

 

[Sclark73]

Can't make one in time really. But that's great news that they don't need turning after day 14 I'll take it off the turner in the morning. Thankyou

Id let some others comment on this before doing. If it were me I'd split the days. And it doesn't take much to make a hatching incubator. You can search here on byc for different methods used. I read one person used 2 glass bowls rims stacked on each other with an office light for heat. As long as you have a way to check temp and humidity.

 

[ChickenFox]

Ok so I'm on day 5 of incubation. I'm trying to candle some of the eggs to get an idea of how many are developing. Only problem is I occasionally come across one that must have too thick of a shell to see through. They're light blue eggs and most I can see through clearly but these few I can't see anything. I've read many a story about exploding eggs so I'm a bit worried. Any tips? I also have 1 clear egg that I'm giving to day 10 to show development but as the egg is extremely porous I'm not holding out much hope...

 

[Sage874]

Look at your pretty peeps Sclark! congrats!
I am up to 9 now SO got out the big gun.
Haha, the new peep digs.
The 1 wk one is a bully right now with the day olds and current hatches
SO I got an adjusta screen from the cellar and zip tied it inside the pack n play,
yes pack n play, they make wonderful brooders.
Got 9 so far with 2 more peeping eggs.
I am lovin this, thanks everyone for your help and support.

Pinky, as you can see I also had 2 different hatch dates, my own were about 6 days earlier.
The brute is on it's own for now. I am sure by the weekend I can blend em safely. Good luck!!

 

[chickinthebator]

Congratulations to all who have hatched today!

Still only have two pips and they are giving it a good go!
They just keep battling on

Pictures to come if all goes well

 

[chickinthebator]

First pip:

Second pip:

The second pip is really battling! Could be out very soon which means pictures!!!

 

[chickinthebator]

Oh my! Just as the first prepares to hatch - my only blue egg loses a bit of shell!!
And another starts rolling about! That's 4 now battling for a hatch! The first is nearly out!
Go chickies, go!

 

[Sclark73]

Congrats to everyone's hatches!

 

[Lboogie]

Ok I am currently waiting for my eggs to arrive by mail and this is my first time hatching...one important question I have is how to add water/humidity if I'm using an egg turner? Is it okay to lift it up to put water underneath the wire or should I lay a wet sponge or towel on top of the turner so I don't disturb the eggs? I just have so many questions about humidity and temperature and such. I'm using four thermometers and only two of them seem to be accurate. The one thermometer/hygrometer I bought at petsmart is supposed to be for reptile terrariums but its reading around the same temp as the thermometer that's on the farm innovators incubator that I bought. I'm also using a meat thermometer that I stuck in one of small ventilation holes and another thermometer/hygrometer that I bought online from incubator warehouse and year two are almost identical in temperature measurements. The other two are always reading slightly higher temps than these. I've had my incubator running for almost a week now so I'm just extremely apprehensive about receiving my shipped eggs!

 

[Sage874]

Good morning. Well, 10 so far. Got eggs left so will leave em thru the weekend with

Lboogie, first relax. This is FUN! I have 1 thermometer, and kept the temp around 100.
I was told leave it shut much as you can, resist temptation hehe.
I candled at 1 week and 15 days.
I saw a post here about putting an aquarium hose thru a vent on top to add water, worked great!
When the last few days came I removed the turner ( I had an auto) and placed damp paper towels between the reservoir and the wire.
Also worked great and I added water as needed.
I remove the peep and shell once it looks stong enuff to the brooder, my pack n play.
Good luck and enjoy and read everything you can. Good folks here. They sure helped me with my first hatch!!