INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[SallyinIndiana]

3 eggs left to hatch in this batch. 1 is pipped.
Once they all started hatching the humidity skyrocketed. I had to tilt the lid so that the moisture would not completely block my view of the chicks, and to decrease the humidity to less than 95%. I thought for sure I would be shrink wrapping all of the remaining eggs. Turns out only 1 got slightly stuck. I helped it out the next time I had to decrease the humidity and it is fine right now.
Besides opening the lid on my 1588, is there a good way to decrease the humidity when hatching a larger batch of eggs? I had 36 eggs in lockdown this time.

 

[racinchickins]

3 eggs left to hatch in this batch. 1 is pipped.
Once they all started hatching the humidity skyrocketed. I had to tilt the lid so that the moisture would not completely block my view of the chicks, and to decrease the humidity to less than 95%. I thought for sure i would be shrink wrapping all of the remaining eggs. Turns out only 1 got slightly stuck. I helped it out the next time I had to decrease the humidity and it is fine right now.
Besides opening the lid on my 1588, is there a good way to decrease the humidity when hatching a larger batch of eggs? I had 36 eggs in lockdown this time.

I'm not sure I'd worry about the humidity being too high. I read a couple of threads on this subject, including this:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/468984/lockdown-how-high-is-too-high-on-the-humidity

The more experienced people seem to say high humidity is only dangerous during incubation (first 18 days). That can cause fluid buildup in the air cell, and cause drowning at internal pip. This will not happen if humidity is high only the last 3 days.

As far as shrink wrapping - my understanding is that was caused by LOW humidity, not high. I just hatched a mixed turkey/chicken batch, and I followed the incubation and hatching directions on the Porters Turkey site. Which was to basically dry incubate (I averaged 35% humidity) and then keep the humidity as high as possible during lockdown, and to reduce the temp in the hatcher to about 98 ( I was actually probably closer to 97) I know I had peak humidity of 90%+.

It was the easiest and best hatch I've had. Both chickens and turkeys went from pip to hatch amazing fast, zipping was very quick. And it was a 100% hatch (6 turkey and 10 chicken). I also had zero issues with shrink wrap, which I've fought on every hatch before. Porter theorizes that the very high humidity softens the shells more, and that allows for easier pipping and zipping. This means the chicks aren't so worn out when they do finally hatch.

I still have lots of eggs in the incubator, and am going to keep trying the high humidity on the rest of my hatches this year. I'll report back on how it goes.

 

[goodb]

As new chicken daddy on the heals of a bad spring hatch rate, I would welcome a broody hen. Yesterday and this morning I thought I had one. An easter-egger had been sitting on a nest for almost 24 hours this morning so I went out to add eggs to her. She got quite vocal (nothing new for this breed) as she realized I saw her and offered her the eggs. She immediately got up, jumped off the nest and is now playing with the others. Here's the kicker; there were ZERO eggs under her!

What gives? Was she trying to trick me? Is sitting for as long as she did a sign of broody? Should I leave the eggs I placed and wait or remove them?

Thank you.

 

[LonelyPageTurne]

Well the person who was gonna build my nest box is moving a bit more slowly than I would like. Any advice on a good place to buy one or a simple design I could build myself?

 

[atrueb00]

Well, I watched the whole episode and not a chicken to be seen! Tease!

The silkie chickens are only featured in one episode, and it was towards the end of the episode. I think it was the episode Cockadoodledoo and only in the last 20 minutes or so.

 

[hoosiercheetah]

But that's what makes this thread great-- the fact that we all can agree to disagree on some issues.

Indeed! I both respect and welcome the full range of opinions. I've heard it said before, "If two people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary."

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Well the person who was gonna build my nest box is moving a bit more slowly than I would like. Any advice on a good place to buy one or a simple design I could build myself?

There are tons of simple DIY versions you could go with - everything from milk crates/5 gallon buckets/boxes/etc to actually building some sort of boxes. Construction is pretty simple with some plywood and 2x4(s).

 

[hoosiercheetah]

Well the person who was gonna build my nest box is moving a bit more slowly than I would like. Any advice on a good place to buy one or a simple design I could build myself?

I have one you can have! I can bring it to you today!

It's a desk drawer. I have five of them. I put four in my coop, and the chickens are only using one. But they seem to like it just fine! You can use it upright, or on it's side - it would be easy to add a little lip to keep nest material in; I can do that for you if you like. And I'll bring back your carrier, too.

 

[LonelyPageTurne]

I have one you can have!  I can bring it to you today!

It's a desk drawer.  I have five of them.  I put four in my coop, and the chickens are only using one.  But they seem to like it just fine!  You can use it upright, or on it's side - it would be easy to add a little lip to keep nest material in; I can do that for you if you like.  And I'll bring back your carrier, too.

Ok thanks! That is definitely something to try. I'll see you this evening. Yay!

Oh and yes please on the lip

 

[bradselig]

Rural king in ft wayne has layer crumble for $8.99 per 50# bag for their grand opening