I just set 5-21-11 in my home made incubator

[chickenjoefan]

hey how's everyone getting on. 1 week to go!

 

[matlock585]

Quote:
Hey chickenjoefan
Out of my nine I had going I had one quitter, which I was already worried about that one because it was almost totally round, so I've got 8 still doing their thing.
We all just kinda quit talking, huh?
All mine are starting to get to dark to see anything when you candle, but according to the air cells the dry incubation is working out good for me. Humidity has been running about 30% +/-. Got some foam rubber shelf liner today to put over the 1/2" wire floor since these are banties. I'm getting excited about hatching. I was thinking about setting one more time, but I think I'm gonna loan my incubator out to my wife's cousin so she can let her 12 year old son experience hatching some eggs. I think I'll just get some eggs I want, let them hatch 'em, and then come get the babies after he raises them for a month or so.

 

[LaGeniaLoca]

Update on my 1 surviving egg....

Day 10 candling showed an extremely large, misshapen air cell that extends part way down one side. It seemed to have a cloudy blob inside it with a couple dark spots, but no discernible veins. I left it in the incubator even though it looked like it was a goner. I candled again 2 days later, hoping to see something different. The air cell was still huge, BUT THE CHICK WAS MOVING AROUND!!!!!!!

Here's a pic of the air cell...

 

[matlock585]

That is a crazy looking air cell, but if the chick is moving... do your thing.

 

[chickenjoefan]

Quote:
ooo thats good to know. the one under my broody looked just like that! I am glad now i that i gave it the benefit of the doubt. fingers crossed for both of them.

I candled a couple of my bator ones too and one of the little chicks was wriggling around, it was so cool. I have candled so many times but never seen a moving one before - i guess my timing must just be off and they're all sleeping. lol

Matlock - it is seriously addictive isn't it. Think this will be my last lot for a while unless my pal asks me to hatch some more for her. I am doing a dry incubation too. but it is naturally so humid here that it seems to be whats needed. I usually just add a small amount of water at lockdown.

I am starting to get really excited now. come on chickies!!!!

 

[Time-Out]

I have just wasted a chunk of my life reading this whole thread, but it has been SO interesting!
I wish everyone the best of luck with their eggs, it's been quite a journey (or two)!

May I ask... what does everyone do with their birds when they're older? Do you all keep them all, or sell those you don't want?

 

[matlock585]

Quote:

from Tennessee.
I will sell off the ones I don't need. All my neighbors also have chickens, I live in a very rural wooded area, and ticks are a bad problem here. I don't think I'll have any trouble getting rid of what I don't need or want.

 

[chicksntexas]

Quote:

It has been quite a journey! Out of all of my eggs, I only have 7 chicks...they are not big enough to know if any are roosters yet, so not sure what I will do then! When all this is over, I hope to have 15 or 20 hens.

So update! I have a lavender orp chick! Will post a pic later! Still waiting on the last 2!

Out of the 9 Seramas I have left...4 are developing nicely

You would think at this point, I would give up incubating....but nnoooooo....I hope to see my EE eggs today...and...some brown leghorn eggs are on the way too!

This is crazy!

 

[Time-Out]

With the number of eggs everyone is incubating, I was thinking you'll quickly be overrun!

You can't give up on incubating! From the little eperience I have, the helpless feeling of hope I get everytime I turn my head (incubator is on the floor in the study) is way too addictive lol

 

[matlock585]

Well I sure do hope you all have a safe and happy long weekend. I sure am glad to have it.
So here are two samples of my 14 day candling.

blue/lemon cochin banty

red cochin banty

I'm really liking the dry incubation.