July Hatch-a-long

[Sclark73]

The first time I incubated eggs was earlier this month.  I started with local 18 barnyard mixed eggs in my homemade, cooler incubator.  All started well but I had a chicken get loose in the house and bump the heat control.  I only had two hatch and one I peeled out.  First two are growing fast, the one I peeled out is so cute but very tiny.  I learned a lot.

My second try with my homemade incubator.  I have a mixed batch of pure breeds but they were shipping by a soccer team or so it appeared.  Only one silkie egg out of 16 eggs is good. (I really wanted the Jersey Giants, now I can't find anyone selling just a few, affordably.)  My solitary silkie egg is due to hatch on th 30Th.  The little guy will have some company.

I added Silver and 1 golden Laced Wyandottes.  They were shipped but not far. Their hatch date is August 2nd. 11 out of 12 looking good.

I orderd a bantam mix,inexpensive to try out my 2nd homemade incubator.  They are due to hatch on August 6th.  So far 12 of 16 developing.  They had a rough time in the mail.

I wasn't sure how reliable the homemade incubators were so I bought a LIttle Giant from Tractor Supply.  I put 24 Lavender Orpingtons, 9 Bantam Buff Brahmas and 27 Mixed Guinea eggs in on the July 19th.  The LO and BBB hatch date is August 9th.  The Guineas hatch date is August 16th.

I have a few eggs from a friend that had been in the fridge.  I used them as fillers.  I have one that is developing.  I was shocked.  It's a Red Star cross Salmon Faverolle Bantam.   

This is so addictive.  Hello, my name is Deanna and I'm a Chick-a-holic.

I think addictive is putting it lightly. Obsessive isn't even strong enough word for it. I've been thinking if I open up the basement(have it closed off to keep cold out) and build some brooders, I could keep hatching thru the winter couldn't I? Ughs. All these ideas go thru a persons head. But the number 1 question is wth to do with all the chicks.

 

[Sclark73]

This was my first hatch on 15 July.

Awe, looking at chicks never gets old. They are so adorable.

 

[misschickenlittle]

I just put 2 more in the bator... shhhh don't tell DH LOL

Ok so I've been trying to catch up but... This caught my eye! I have done the same thing!! Dh told me, oh a week or so ago, that I am not allowed to hatch anymore... But I have WEEKLY hatches for the next 3 plus (because I'm still collecting) weeks!

Just TRY to stop me!!

Anyway,saw lots of happiness yet lots of sadness going on.. I can totally relate! Whomever said the highs are better than the lows said it just right. the highs do out weigh the lows and that's why in the middle of July the August hatch-a-long is going strong!

 

[DragonSadhana]

Today was Day 7 of Salmon Faverolles shipped from mypetchicken.com. Only ONE of the baker's dozen had veins. ONE. I let them rest upright for 24 hours before putting them into a Brinsea. It's my first time with shipped eggs, and I am MAD. These SFs were supposed to be a gift for my aunt who has wanted this breed for a while.

 

[Sclark73]

Today was Day 7 of Salmon Faverolles shipped from mypetchicken.com. Only ONE of the baker's dozen had veins. ONE. I let them rest upright for 24 hours before putting them into a Brinsea. It's my first time with shipped eggs, and I am MAD. These SFs were supposed to be a gift for my aunt who has wanted this breed for a while.

I hear so much bad with buying shipped eggs I wonder why its even done with so many losses? I think I'd drive a few hundred miles to find them if I had to versus shipping.

 

[DragonSadhana]

Separate from the Brinsea SF issue I just mentioned, I have a styrofoam incubator which had a week of horrible problems early on. Of the several eggs that were in it, one showed a chick when I candled and culled. I was honestly surprised. I counted back to the day the incubator was set, and realized the hatch day should have been this past weekend. The chick is not filling up the egg, yet, so I'm wondering if it somehow started later? Or is it slow in developing because of the earlier issues?

Also, I discovered it last week, moving. Two nights ago, I checked and the veins and chick are still in place, but no movement. I checked again to tonight, and the veins and body are there, but still no movement. I'm keeping the humidity up since it ideally hatches this week, but I have no idea if it is even alive anymore. Any thoughts?

 

[Sclark73]

Separate from the Brinsea SF issue I just mentioned, I have a styrofoam incubator which had a week of horrible problems early on. Of the several eggs that were in it, one showed a chick when I candled and culled. I was honestly surprised. I counted back to the day the incubator was set, and realized the hatch day should have been this past weekend. The chick is not filling up the egg, yet, so I'm wondering if it somehow started later? Or is it slow in developing because of the earlier issues?

Also, I discovered it last week, moving. Two nights ago, I checked and the veins and chick are still in place, but no movement. I checked again to tonight, and the veins and body are there, but still no movement. I'm keeping the humidity up since it ideally hatches this week, but I have no idea if it is even alive anymore. Any thoughts?

Id wait a bit more, I pulled a few I thought had died with no movement and when I cracked them open to.inspect found both were moving so I killed them accidentally.

 

[DragonSadhana]

Id wait a bit more, I pulled a few I thought had died with no movement and when I cracked them open to.inspect found both were moving so I killed them accidentally.

Ooh, good tip. I figured I'd let the egg go for a few more days. I checked some pictures online, and it looks like it could be a day 17 embryo, thereabouts. I'm hopeful it can join its frizzle siblings who hatched in the Brinsea last week.

 

[DeannaA]

My chicken thinking has already solved your problems.

1. Sell the chicks and chickens at auction to help fund the addiction, I mean hobby. Or hatch for others for cash or chicks.
2. The brooders and incubators will heat the basement, so the money spent on brooding will be saved on heating.
3. If you spend time and money on chickens there won't be any left to become a drug addictict, alcoholic, QVC addict and save money on food because you will forget to eat. (I've lost 10 lbs.)

Can you tell I've been already coming up with reasons for myself?

 

[DragonSadhana]

I hear so much bad with buying shipped eggs I wonder why its even done with so many losses? I think I'd drive a few hundred miles to find them if I had to versus shipping.

Well, I figured if I got even a 50% hatch rate, it would be worth it. Even I got just one roo and one hen to give to my aunt, I'd call it a win.

I just can't believe it looks to be going so poorly!