***JULY HATCH-A-LONG come join in***

[Ady Road Chicks]

This is my first hatch...so...today is my day 18. So today I load up the water troughs, take out the auto egg turner, and then sit and watch the bator until Sunday

...no more opening it up, right? Also, should I check and be sure everyone is still ok before I put the padlock on and hide the key?

I am worse then my kids. And my husband can't wait for this to be over with so I can go back to being normal (that's what he thinks

)

 

[Kedreeva]

@ Ady: I candle before I lockdown so that I can rest assured everyone was ok when I closed the lid. Once it's closed, no more opening it till they've hatched, so it's gonna be days before curious fingers can poke and prod again! The hardest part is when the first chick is out and you want to open it to get him... but instead you sit with nose to the window willing him to get out through osmosis because you can't open it yet.

 

[Bunnylady]

Quote:
I can't say about other breeds, my experience has been with uber broody Silkies and bantam Cochins. I have had hens that started brooding in a "public" location, where other hens could (and did) add eggs to the broodies' clutches. When the first eggs hatched, I removed the chicks, and the hens went on brooding. More eggs wound up being added, chicks were removed as they hatched, the dance went on. The longest I have allowed this to go on was about 3 months with one Silkie; I finally removed all but the most developed eggs from her to force her to get up when those chicks hatched.

I have 4 bantam Cochin and bantam Cochin crosses that all went broody during a 10 day period. I had the bright idea to order some eggs for them to sit on, so I moved them to separate cages, and let them continue to set on the mixed-parantage eggs that they had (dopey me, they were fertile eggs

) Delays occured, the fertile eggs began hatching; I pulled the chicks out as they arrived and put a couple of infertile eggs under the hens to "hold" them until the eggs I had ordered could arrive. All 4 girls are still sitting, we are now on day 14 of brooding the second clutch (the eggs I ordered). Some of those girls have been setting about 6 weeks at this point. Some of those eggs looked really good at the last candling (a week ago); I feel fairly sure that I will get some chicks. Can I be so hardhearted as to remove the chicks when they hatch, leaving these girls chickless after all this hard work, or do I risk these fancy chicks to the uncertainties of maternal care?

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Lets see, I have 7 eggs from Little Ameracauna Mom due the 9th, so I move those the 6th. I also have some of my silkies due then also.

 

[Kedreeva]

Quote:
You can probably let them have them.... they will probably be so relieved to have little chicks after so long!

 

[jeremy]

I put 24 eggs into lockdown last night! Mostly Barred Olive Eggers and Marans, my hatch is due on the 4th, I can't wait!

 

[flgardengirl]

I'm locking down today at 4pm for better or worse lol.

I have to go get some new sponges first because I finally threw the old ones I've been using away.

 

[sonjab314]

I just moved my eggs into the lockdown bator. I've threatened the kids that if they touch it, they'll lose some fingers lol. Now if I can exert some self control

ETA: Did I mention this is my first hatch?

 

[shellrae7]

i dont know how old thay are or what day there on but thay started rocking yesturday and there trying to get thro the aircell since tuesday night so not far off 3 days thay have been trying to get thro the aircell

Make CERTAIN that your humidity is high enough. This can cause problems and delays with ducks. I did mine at like 75% the last 3 days. Don't open the incubator though, drip water through the top holes if you can..... just NOT the one with the heater or fan under it... lol! Good luck!​

 

[shellrae7]

Quote:
Sonjab 314... I have to show you this! It's a little harsh, and I might change the wording if i were to put on my own bator... but you have to admit it is too stinkin' funny! Its a sticker for the incubator, can be found on ebay. I apologize if this offends anyone, it's jut meant in good humor!