June Hatch A Long

[CluckNDoodle]

Being inexperienced I’ve taken the dont assist approach always. I’ve assisted the last hatching eggs that just needed some help breaking out of the shell probably due to the bator being opened.

I had 40-something eggs make it to lockdown in my first hatch, they were virtually all shaking around and many chirping but I only hatched 25 or so I think. I didn’t open any of them because I didn’t want to feel like “what could have been”....

There are a lot of very experienced hatchers that swear by the "don't assist" approach and there's nothing wrong with that! It's how nature does it and they seem to have things down pat, lol.

 

[starri33]

Hi, set 23 eggs yesterday.. was 24 but one cracked when I was testing out the auto turner on the new incubator .. 11 easter egger mixes and 12 mutts from my own flock.. today is day 1, so expecting hatch to start on the 29th or so.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Hi, set 23 eggs yesterday.. was 24 but one cracked when I was testing out the auto turner on the new incubator .. 11 easter egger mixes and 12 mutts from my own flock.. today is day 1, so expecting hatch to start on the 29th or so.

Welcome! What incubator are you using?

 

[starri33]

Welcome! What incubator are you using?

It's one of those incubators that really doesn't have a brand I think, has "Intelligent Incubator 24" on the top.. clear top with 4 rocking cradles in it. Has a temp indicator/humidity and a count down timer. Biggest challenge with it so far is keeping the humidity stable, it drops and it beeps at me. lol.. That will drive you crazy in the middle of the night. I've caught the hatching bug and I need to be careful as my coop is only big enough for 48 chickens @ 4 sq ft per bird. The run will hold 86 @ 10 sq ft per bird.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

It's one of those incubators that really doesn't have a brand I think, has "Intelligent Incubator 24" on the top.. clear top with 4 rocking cradles in it. Has a temp indicator/humidity and a count down timer. Biggest challenge with it so far is keeping the humidity stable, it drops and it beeps at me. lol.. That will drive you crazy in the middle of the night. I've caught the hatching bug and I need to be careful as my coop is only big enough for 48 chickens @ 4 sq ft per bird. The run will hold 86 @ 10 sq ft per bird.

lol, "only" 48 chickens made me giggle.
The hatching bug bit me hard this year as well! I've hatched 81 chicks this year already, I have 3 small incubators running right now, and I'm already talking to people about eggs for next month. The only thing saving me is that I don't keep most of the chicks. I'm mostly hatching for other people now because I just love doing it so much!
I've never used that incubator but I do think I know which one you're talking about! I look forward to seeing your updates on the hatch!

 

[starri33]

lol, "only" 48 chickens made me giggle.
The hatching bug bit me hard this year as well! I've hatched 81 chicks this year already, I have 3 small incubators running right now, and I'm already talking to people about eggs for next month. The only thing saving me is that I don't keep most of the chicks. I'm mostly hatching for other people now because I just love doing it so much!
I've never used that incubator but I do think I know which one you're talking about! I look forward to seeing your updates on the hatch!

I was doing the hatching for others before I had to quit in May, we had a trip coming and I would not stick my house/critter sitter with having to deal with incubating eggs or chicks that weren't ready for outside. But we're back, no major trips scheduled. So I can start again. Mine do not get to free range much.. so I don't want to go over crowding. I think I have plenty of room on the roosts for everyone, 6 rungs, they can hold about 10 each with a little elbow room..lol, will have to make more nest boxes, have 6 right now for 24 hens. They generally use two or three. I have a broody right now ( my first) who's sitting on 4 eggs, she should start hatching by the 20th..

 

[jolenesdad]

Welcome @starri33 !!! We are so excited for more babies!!!

Hehehehe. “Only” 48.

 

[starri33]

This is the incubator, it had 24 eggs but one broke

 

[starri33]

Welcome @starri33 !!! We are so excited for more babies!!!

Hehehehe. “Only” 48.

I've been using the text book space allowance..lol. Living in AZ, they don't have to stay stuck in the coop all the time.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

This is the incubator, it had 24 eggs but one broke View attachment 1806581 View attachment 1806582

My friend has one, we just call it the China Bator, lol. I see you have a fancy humidity contraption attached to it! I'm intrigued, please do share what that is!