JANUARY 2015 Hatch-A-Long

[Peep_Show]

Gentry -
I found that wrapping the sides and part of the top in a beach towel helps to stabilize the temps in winter. Just don't cover the topside vent holes or mechanics.

 

[blackgoat]

Thanks for all of the helpful replies. I'm doing both.....waiting and upping the room temp. Thinking of putting a jar of water in there as well.

My first "hatch" didn't go so well. Last year, stray rooster covering my 1-yr-olds for several weeks. Several started, but quit early. None hatched. Using shipped eggs this time (from about 4 hrs away). 6 buff orps and 6 Ameracuanas. This was supposed to be a test hatch before ordering a bunch of eggs. Wish me luck!

Good Luck !

 

[Gentry1350]

Gentry -
I found that wrapping the sides and part of the top in a beach towel helps to stabilize the temps in winter.   Just don't cover the topside vent holes or mechanics.

I think I will do that! I have a cardboard moving box that I was about to toss and its a little bit bigger than the bator. I think I will put it in there and wrap a couple towels around it. Thanks for the idea!

Today has been interesting-- the wafer thermostat fell off on me. I put a folded up beach towel over the bottom while I had the top off re-installing the wafer. In the meantime, my fan arrived in the mail so I went ahead and installed it too! I took out the two middle rails and put a big jar of water in there. I added a heater to the room it's being used in (the heater has a digital thermostat).

I think I'm all set! Thanks for all of the help!

 

[carcar80]

Hi everyone, I'd like to join in for January. Just finished the New Years HAL and had so much fun!! I have two hatches coming up.. One due 1/10 and one 1/17. Here's to even better luck than NY hatch, which wasn't too shabby for me!

Thanks for all of the helpful replies. I'm doing both.....waiting and upping the room temp. Thinking of putting a jar of water in there as well.

My first "hatch" didn't go so well. Last year, stray rooster covering my 1-yr-olds for several weeks. Several started, but quit early. None hatched. Using shipped eggs this time (from about 4 hrs away). 6 buff orps and 6 Ameracuanas. This was supposed to be a test hatch before ordering a bunch of eggs. Wish me luck!

I put a bottled water in my hatcher this time.. LOVED it. I won't go without again. Good luck!! I too have a disastrous hatching history but I THINK I'm getting the hang of it finally.

 

[blackgoat]

I think I will do that! I have a cardboard moving box that I was about to toss and its a little bit bigger than the bator. I think I will put it in there and wrap a couple towels around it. Thanks for the idea!

Today has been interesting-- the wafer thermostat fell off on me. I put a folded up beach towel over the bottom while I had the top off re-installing the wafer. In the meantime, my fan arrived in the mail so I went ahead and installed it too! I took out the two middle rails and put a big jar of water in there. I added a heater to the room it's being used in (the heater has a digital thermostat).

I think I'm all set! Thanks for all of the help!

be sure you don't block any vent holes when wrapping with a towel. Good Luck !

 

[nab58]

Here's my report for Day 7 Candle / weigh-in. I'm disappointed that out of 7 eggs, I'm not seeing growth in 3.
Why is it I've only had weight loss in one egg? What should I expect for day 7?

Egg. / Color. / Day 1/ Day 7./ Comment
1. Pink. / 1.8oz. / 1.7oz. Can see veining
2. Blue. 1.9. / 1.8. No growth seen
3. Brown 2.6. / 2.6. Veining seen
4. Brown 2.2. / 2.2. No growth seen
5. Blue. 1.8. / 1.8. No growth seen
6. Brown 2.6. / 2.6. Veining seen
7. Brown 2.6. / 2.4. Actual movement seen!

 

[ChickenLady2014]

Here's my report for Day 7 Candle / weigh-in. I'm disappointed that out of 7 eggs, I'm not seeing growth in 3.
Why is it I've only had weight loss in one egg? What should I expect for day 7?

Egg. / Color. / Day 1/ Day 7./ Comment
1. Pink. / 1.8oz. / 1.7oz. Can see veining
2. Blue. 1.9. / 1.8. No growth seen
3. Brown 2.6. / 2.6. Veining seen
4. Brown 2.2. / 2.2. No growth seen
5. Blue. 1.8. / 1.8. No growth seen
6. Brown 2.6. / 2.6. Veining seen
7. Brown 2.6. / 2.4. Actual movement seen!

What percentage of humidity are you running at? If it is to high they won't loose weight or if it is too low they can loose too much. The bad thing is its not a exact science. It all depends on what incubator your using and what level of natural humidity in the room where the incubator is set up. I've found that candling as well as weighing helps me determine if I should increase humidity or decrease humidity based on the air cell size.

 

[nab58]

What percentage of humidity are you running at? If it is to high they won't loose weight or if it is too low they can loose too much. The bad thing is its not a exact science. It all depends on what incubator your using and what level of natural humidity in the room where the incubator is set up. I've found that candling as well as weighing helps me determine if I should increase humidity or decrease humidity based on the air cell size.

w

I'm using a Brinsea mini advance that has a dual sided water well in the center. You fill half during the first 18 days and then fill both sides at lock down. It doesn't have a hydrometer and really no place to put one. Should I try to decrease the humidity? Our house is quite dry as we use wood heat. Others that use the Brinsea mini say you fill half the water resevoir and forget it.

 

[ChickyChickens]

Thanks for all of the helpful replies. I'm doing both.....waiting and upping the room temp. Thinking of putting a jar of water in there as well.

My first "hatch" didn't go so well. Last year, stray rooster covering my 1-yr-olds for several weeks. Several started, but quit early. None hatched. Using shipped eggs this time (from about 4 hrs away). 6 buff orps and 6 Ameracuanas. This was supposed to be a test hatch before ordering a bunch of eggs. Wish me luck!

Good luck then

 

[Skink]

Well, my hatch is done. I think it is safe to say the one that kicked out and bled will make it now. 5 chicks! Not the best from 18 eggs, but they are Serama from across the country so I'm far from disappointed. They are all learning to eat and drink, playing in their "sand box" like a bunch of nerds



More eggs should be arriving Monday. Only 6 this time. Looking for another 6 more, but I'll probably have to stagger the hatch a little.