HOME STRETCH ***UPDATE EGSS ARE NOW STARTING TO PICK THEIR WAY FREE***

[Mourningdove]

Well I set 28 eggs on the 9th and today is day 17 with down to 22 eggs due to some being non fertile or dying off early. So tomorrow starts 1st day of not having to turn them and the 30th marks the 21st day, so I am anxiously awaiting

and hoping

that all the rest survive

Today I went and got my heat lamp, medicated chick starter and starter grit

Now here's a question from a newbie is it possible that these chicks could come earlier? How soon before the 30th should the brooder and lamp be ready? Is there anything that I may have forgotten? How low should the heat lamp hang

Forgive my questions but I wish to do this right!
Hoping for hatch vibes and a successful hatch!! OH BTW my 25 chick pullets from Ideal will ship out in 2 days!!

 

[Mourningdove]

Can anyone help/advise me?

 

[Chicken Woman]

I turn my brooder lamp on when I get my first pip . Even if you get an early hatch they usually stay in hatcher for at least 24 hours after they hatch.

Put a thermometor in the floor of the brooder. Thats the level they will be at so you will want to know the temp there. Adjust your heat lamps distance by what the temp is. Start with temp of 95 and decrease 5 every week. make sure the lamp is at one end and they have plenty of room to move away from the heat if they need to.

Good luck !
I took mine off the turner today as well so we can have a race OK !

 

[Mourningdove]

Thank you very much for your reply! I was begining to think noone would answer! Sounds like fun your on! The race is on! what kind of chicks are you hatching? I have some BO, EEs, RIR, & some mutt eggs!

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

Don't take babies out till they are dry. Even if you put them under a lamp. They will get chilled. also try not to open the 'bator untill everyone is dry. Sometime you can't , If you can do it. a cold draft is a very bad thing to a wet chick,


GOOD LUCK

 

[brkuk]

I just hatched 3 of 11 at 19.5 days with temps at 99.8 and good humidity. 40% first 18, 65% last few. Good luck.

 

[Mourningdove]

On day 19 wow!!! Intresting to know thanks! When do ya'll think I might start hearing chirping? How soon before they hatch can I hear them? And yes I know don't open the bator!

 

[brkuk]

I heard peeping last night at 8 and had chicks by 9 am.

 

[Mourningdove]

wow that was fast! I am hoping to hear some soon, I am getting anxious here! I never did find a hydrometer so I have no way of knowing the humidity levels........

 

[brkuk]

I wet my sponges every 18 hours.