July Hatch-a-long

[Crissie]

Like a true junkie, I set my second ever batch of eggs today. Yes, my first batch of eggs is heading to lockdown on Saturday...

I miscounted how many eggs I bought the first go round and ended up having to buy a second EMERGENCY incubator, so when I cleared the duds, I had one completely empty.

I've got myself convinced that I'm going to be a terrible hatcher and will end up somehow maiming them all out of this first bunch, so the only way to console myself was MORE EGGS! In all seriousness, I figured if it goes really wrong, at least I can know that I've got more eggs in the basket, so to speak. I received such beautiful eggs from BYC'ers WolfTracks and Kelar (Catdance Silkies) that I'll feel horrible if they don't hatch, but I had to have something to look forward to, just in case.

Fast forward to this afternoon as the new eggs are resting on the counter - one of our rescue dogs has a terrible habit of seeing what we've left on the counter when we're not looking (5 kids means there's usually something tasty) and he PULLED OFF MY EGGS! He broke 6 beautiful Blue Wheaten Ameraucana eggs.

Pretty expensive dog treats. Good thing I love his rotten self or he'd be in big trouble tonight.

Freaking out about lockdown - having nightmares about drowned chicks, shrink wrapped chicks, chicks with stuff hanging out of their bellies, chicks with no eyes. In all likelihood, I'm not tough enough to be an egg momma.

 

[PugBug]

Oooo, my lockdown is Saturday as well! So glad to have someone to go through this with me! You've been so helpful PugBug...

Hatch buddies!

 

[PugBug]

Like a true junkie, I set my second ever batch of eggs today. Yes, my first batch of eggs is heading to lockdown on Saturday...

I miscounted how many eggs I bought the first go round and ended up having to buy a second EMERGENCY incubator, so when I cleared the duds, I had one completely empty.

I've got myself convinced that I'm going to be a terrible hatcher and will end up somehow maiming them all out of this first bunch, so the only way to console myself was MORE EGGS! In all seriousness, I figured if it goes really wrong, at least I can know that I've got more eggs in the basket, so to speak. I received such beautiful eggs from BYC'ers WolfTracks and Kelar (Catdance Silkies) that I'll feel horrible if they don't hatch, but I had to have something to look forward to, just in case.

Fast forward to this afternoon as the new eggs are resting on the counter - one of our rescue dogs has a terrible habit of seeing what we've left on the counter when we're not looking (5 kids means there's usually something tasty) and he PULLED OFF MY EGGS! He broke 6 beautiful Blue Wheaten Ameraucana eggs.

Pretty expensive dog treats. Good thing I love his rotten self or he'd be in big trouble tonight.

Freaking out about lockdown - having nightmares about drowned chicks, shrink wrapped chicks, chicks with stuff hanging out of their bellies, chicks with no eyes. In all likelihood, I'm not tough enough to be an egg momma.

Oh dear! Sorry your eggs for broke!
For a while when I was having some bad hatches, I would order my eggs like 5-6 days apart from each other so I could do staggered hatches. My thinking was if a hatch was bad I'd only have to wait a few more days for the next. I was hatching pretty much non stop from Jan to April. I got so burnt out, I had to just stop for a while. It is very addicting

 

[PugBug]

Wow some of you are having some really great hatches- I love when that happens!

 

[EverMystique1]

Lockdown yesterday for batch #2. First hatch tonight, and this from an egg I doubted because the air cell was large. 2nd pipped at the wrong end, so we are watching closely. Actual hatch date is scheduled as Saturday. Seems the July thread is having a ton of early hatchers.

 

[bigT88]

14 hatched today so far! 9 more pipping and zipping! Finally a good hatch. Loving my hovabator.

Congrats

 

[Gen9]

Freaking out about lockdown - having nightmares about drowned chicks, shrink wrapped chicks, chicks with stuff hanging out of their bellies, chicks with no eyes. In all likelihood, I'm not tough enough to be an egg momma.

This will be me in a few days. to hear about your blue eggs, maybe it worked out for the better? I set aside eggs to hatch after this LOL yep, they're by an AC vent staying at a cool 65-70 degrees.

 

[Gen9]

Oh dear! Sorry your eggs for broke!
For a while when I was having some bad hatches, I would order my eggs like 5-6 days apart from each other so I could do staggered hatches.

Lockdown humidity increase doesn't affect the next hatch? I might just try this. I know what you mean, I've been checking on the incubator ever 3 hours and turning, adjusting the humidity, etc... it's really tiring, &" I'll be looking forward to a full night of sleep after this is all done.

 

[bigT88]

Day 7 today. Will candle eggs after work. Have broody and in incubator

 

[DragonSadhana]

This morning there is a big pile in the Brinsea. I think it's twelve chicks. 19 eggs in the bator. So much cuteness!!!

I might wait until tonight and pop the hatchlings into a brooder and keep a close eye on who is left. I was thinking about the humidity issue regarding the membrane of the egg. If I run the hot water in the shower, I could probably get the chicks popped into the brooder with a high humidity in the air around me so that the eggs don't dry out... But I would have to unplug the bator and run the five feet to the bathroom...plug it back into the bathroom outlet... Is it worth the risk?

So loving these adorable pictures I'm seeing!