OK - First ever hatch & it was a home made bator.
38% hatch rate.
Not quite what I wanted - but OK.
I had originally set 58 eggs - but by the end I found 16 of those were complete duds - either the ring of death or not fertile I'm not sure (actually 3 were good, but my candling was bad).
So 42 made it to lock down & had a fighting chance. 16 hatched - 1 of those died, 2 were shrink wrapped & needed help.
So - the remaining 26 eggs were fully developed & never broke into the air cell.
I popped a few open & here is my conclusion.
1) I struggled to get the humidity up for hatching - I really couldn't get it up over 50% - way too dry. Of the eggs I opened - all had dry membranes & none of the chicks broke into the air cell.
2) I used the carton method - paper cartons - They may have wicked some moisture from the eggs. I'm not sure - because all 16 that hatched were right in there with the rest of them. In any case - try # 2 I will use plastic cartons.
3) When I reached in to remove the chicks I felt a cold draft coming through one of the vents where the turner handle comes through the side. I had left these open thinking the extra venting would provide air. Next time these are getting closed when I remove the turner.
The good news though - I have 2 welsummers & 13 black australorps!
I'm hoping on the wellies I have 1 boy & 1 girl. I want a wellie rooster to breed with my aruacaunas to see if I can get some dark green speckled egg layers!
38% hatch rate.
Not quite what I wanted - but OK.
I had originally set 58 eggs - but by the end I found 16 of those were complete duds - either the ring of death or not fertile I'm not sure (actually 3 were good, but my candling was bad).
So 42 made it to lock down & had a fighting chance. 16 hatched - 1 of those died, 2 were shrink wrapped & needed help.
So - the remaining 26 eggs were fully developed & never broke into the air cell.
I popped a few open & here is my conclusion.
1) I struggled to get the humidity up for hatching - I really couldn't get it up over 50% - way too dry. Of the eggs I opened - all had dry membranes & none of the chicks broke into the air cell.
2) I used the carton method - paper cartons - They may have wicked some moisture from the eggs. I'm not sure - because all 16 that hatched were right in there with the rest of them. In any case - try # 2 I will use plastic cartons.
3) When I reached in to remove the chicks I felt a cold draft coming through one of the vents where the turner handle comes through the side. I had left these open thinking the extra venting would provide air. Next time these are getting closed when I remove the turner.
The good news though - I have 2 welsummers & 13 black australorps!
I'm hoping on the wellies I have 1 boy & 1 girl. I want a wellie rooster to breed with my aruacaunas to see if I can get some dark green speckled egg layers!
