Hatching - Day by Day - Chat thread!

[chickinthebator]

All sounds great!
Best of luck

 

[Sclark73]

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!

Good luck with your first hatch. I don't want to get you worried but keep a close eye on your temps and humidity with this incubator. I just tried my friends and could not keep anything regulated. I ended up running it dry as the humidity would not stabilize with water but then had temp spikes randomly which resulted in cooking 34 so far of the 41 eggs.

 

[Lboogie]

Thanks so much Sage and Sclark! I'm sure I will be fine...been keeping my bator at a steady temp and correct humidity range for almost a week now so I'm happy with my incubator so far. We'll see how it goes after I add the eggs whenever they arrive. Now it's just a waiting game until they come in. I'll keep posting as the month progresses. I'm sure I'll have more questions that pop up as I go!

 

[chickinthebator]

Best of luck with your hatch, if you need any answers just pop a question in and i'm sure we'll be able to answer

 

[hydie]

Hi all, I'm new to everything, BYC and hatching chicks. I have a broody hen but no cockerel, so have gathered from friends 8 (hopefully fertile) eggs all different. I've put them under gretchen (broody chick) and she seems to be doing a great job for the past 6-7 days sitting lovely, but unfortunately thismorning my son went to let them out and gretchen was pecking and eating one of the eggs!!!! By the time I got there it was totally gone. Is this normal? Will she do it to others? She's sitting on the remainders again well.

 

[Sage874]

Morning all. Still only 10 peeps. There are 12 eggs left. This is day 24. Give em a bit more time?
I did buy this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XNMHW4/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
for the next batch. Seems the person I was getting the blue eggs from doesn't have any, hens quit.
SO, I opted for guineas again, Lord help me. They'll arrive the 31st.
Congrats to all and fingers crossed for those who wait.
Hydie, I know nothing about broody hens but I am hopeful she'll brood the rest. Perhaps that one was a bad egg?

 

[Sclark73]

9 staggered BLRW in lockdown, broody hen one due to hatch tomorrow. Checked her lastnight and no chickies yet.

 

[carousel86]

I'm incubating Rouen ducks. They are on the 10th day. Does anybody know if you have to take the vent plugs out on the 10 th day. I have the little giant still air incubator with the automatic egg turner.

 

[Sclark73]

Brought broody one aka Little Lady in the addition room where I keep my bator and brooder so I can keep watch. I checked earlier and have 4 pips so far of 11. Hatching incubator isn't doing much but wiggly eggs, those 9 are due Mon. No sleep again, but have to try as we have a softball tourney tomorrow and have to leave by 7:15am. Daughter will be home to give me many updates on their status. Good luck to everyone waiting on hatches and those with chicks already.

 

[Sage874]

a watched pot never boils, a watched egg just wiggles. Just get some SLEEP! they'll pip out just fine then you can fuss with em, I do. hehe

Still only 10 peeps. I am pretty sure that is it. I'll wait til tomorrow then clean it out and ready for the next.
I LOVE my hygrometer/thermometer tho. Works a trick.

Congrats to all those hatched and fingers crossed for those waiting!