Huh?!

[3LilChicks707]

What on earth is a Hatch-a-Long? It sounds like loads of fun & we've been thinking about buying an incubator & trying to hatch some of our own babies, but we'd be total & complete novices at that!

 

[DancingWthDucks]

Hello and welcome to BYC

A Hatch-A-Long is basically when a group of people who are setting eggs at similar times basically come together and update how the incubating/hatching is going, aswell as giving each other advise and support as they go along. You can join in at anytime- just say 'hello', say what you are incubating and when they are due to hatch. Some Hatch-A-Longs even have competitions with prizes to win. It's a lot of fun!

The current hatch-a-longs are:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1147081/2017-groundhog-day-hatch-a-long
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1145617/january-2017-hatch-a-long
(Although there are others throughout the year such as: 'Easter Hatch A Long', 'Febuary Hatch A Long', etc).

I hope this helps,
Charlotte

 

[3LilChicks707]

Hi Charlotte!
It helps a ton! Hatching that way sound like big time fun! Plus, you have the support of your fellow hatchers just in case you need it!

Erika

Question: what incubator do you guys recommend for a complete newbie?

 

[DwayneNLiz]

Hi Charlotte!
It helps a ton! Hatching that way sound like big time fun! Plus, you have the support of your fellow hatchers just in case you need it!

Erika

Question: what incubator do you guys recommend for a complete newbie?

brinseas are great but very pricey, you could also build your own
hovabators have good reviews, make sure you calibrate, that is the #1 egg killer as far as i am concerned

 

[DancingWthDucks]

Hi Charlotte!
It helps a ton! Hatching that way sound like big time fun! Plus, you have the support of your fellow hatchers just in case you need it!

Erika

Question: what incubator do you guys recommend for a complete newbie?

How many chicks are you wanting to hatch? Brinseas, are a bit more expensive when compared to other incubators, but you really do get what you pay for. Compared to polystyrene incubators, the plastic ones are a LOT more easy to disinfect between hatches and a lot less complicated. I would also recommend RCOM 10 pro incubators- this was my first incubator and as a newbie it is very easy to use (plus it's quite a lot cheaper than Brinseas!). Ive had 90-100% hatches in mine.

 

[PapaBear4]

Hatching your own eggs is SO MUCH FUN! If you have kids it can be very educational as well. I think we might do the Easter Hatch-a-long. If you're hesitating about buying an incubator, another option is renting one from somebody like HatchTheChicken.com. It can save you a fair bit of cash and show you the ropes if it's your first time.

PapaBear
http://www.nocluckingaround.com