June Hatch-A-Long

[gimmie birdies]

Question, I went away for 3 days and came back and my hens eggs look fertile- put them in incubator, to see,

but my roosters are only 4 months old, no crowing yet, too soon?

I am not too hopeful, I will find out in a few days.

 

[Oldhallchicks]

So we are officially in lockdown for my first ever hatch! I’ve got 3 Brahma and 3 speckled Sussex (though one SS looked a little questionable so won’t be surprised if that doesn’t hatch) that have made it to lockdown.

my hygrometer isn’t calibrated, but if I had to guess I would say it is slightly under the reading that it shows.

it is showing 65% in the hatching basket with wet sponges and a damp paper towel under it.

I don’t really want to open the incubator unless I should....I have one egg rocking and rolling and trying to pip either internally or externally.

should I leave it as is and hope for the best with humidity? Or should I try to boost it some more before any pip?

I have first time feather mama anxiety

 

[CluckNDoodle]

So we are officially in lockdown for my first ever hatch! I’ve got 3 Brahma and 3 speckled Sussex (though one SS looked a little questionable so won’t be surprised if that doesn’t hatch) that have made it to lockdown.

my hygrometer isn’t calibrated, but if I had to guess I would say it is slightly under the reading that it shows.

it is showing 65% in the hatching basket with wet sponges and a damp paper towel under it.

I don’t really want to open the incubator unless I should....I have one egg rocking and rolling and trying to pip either internally or externally.

should I leave it as is and hope for the best with humidity? Or should I try to boost it some more before any pip?

I have first time feather mama anxiety

I would leave it at 65% personally. (Even if you don't think your hygrometer is super accurate). You can get away with higher or lower but I feel 65% is a good starting point, as you hatch more you will find the sweet spot for your incubator! It's usually my go too humidity for hatching in most incubators. After a chick hatches you'll have a better idea of whether you need to increase or decrease in that particular incubator.
Good luck on your hatch!!

 

[FortCluck]

I would leave it at 65% personally. (Even if you don't think your hygrometer is super accurate). You can get away with higher or lower but I feel 65% is a good starting point, as you hatch more you will find the sweet spot for your incubator! It's usually my go too humidity for hatching in most incubators. After a chick hatches you'll have a better idea of whether you need to increase or decrease in that particular incubator.
Good luck on your hatch!!

Your humidity freaks me out my first hatch I did 65% and it went to 70%+ and condensation happened. I had lots of DIS chicks. Never again did I add water...

 

[SnapdragonQ]

So apparently my game cam has to be right on top of whatever critter you are trying to get a pic of. The camera angle isn't very wide or deep, which I didn't realize, and was trying to get more of the entire chicken area and it was too far away. I moved it to inside the chicken pen and it snapped a pic of a raccoon reaching in a trap for some of the goodies but not going all the way in. The trap was outside of the opposite fence so now I have a better idea of the camera range and who the marauder may be.
Time to break out the peanut butter and tuna fish.

Until I can nab it/them the big chickens will stay in the tractor, which they are not the happiest about. Mr Roo was not pleased at being caught yesterday and actually snapped at me. That's a first. He does not like being touched, but usually behaves himself when I do.

Other than that, I need to be patient and wait until day 3 or 5 to see if there is any development in the shipped eggs. *sigh*

edit: typos

 

[chickiebaby1]

So apparently my game cam has to be right on top of whatever critter you are trying to get a pic up. The camera angle isn't very wide or deep, which I didn't realize, and was trying to get more of the entire chicken area and it was too far away. I moved it to inside the chicken pen and it snapped a pic of a raccoon reaching in a trap for the goodies but not going all the way in. The trap was outside of the opposite fence so now I have a better idea of the camera range and who the marauder may be.
Time to break out the peanut butter and tuna fish.

Until I can nab it/them the big chickens will stay in the tractor, which they are not the happiest about. Mr Roo was not pleased at being caught yesterday and actually snapped at me. That's a first. He does not like being touched, but usually behaves himself when I do.

Other than that, I need to be patient and wait until day 3 or 5 to see if there is any development in the shipped eggs. *sigh*

My hubby actually saw a raccoon peering into my brooder box the other night. Luckily we had taken extra measures to secure them and they all ran to the back of the brooder. Finally caught the bugger last night. Also caught a possum in our trash can. Walked out this morning and there it was staring up at me from the bottom. Scared the living daylights out of me.

 

[Oldhallchicks]

Your humidity freaks me out my first hatch I did 65% and it went to 70%+ and condensation happened. I had lots of DIS chicks. Never again did I add water...

Why what humidity do you aim for?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

View attachment 2209706
I have a pink rooster I am going to sell. 2 months old. EE/LO I may breed with the babies from my avatar if he doesn't sell.

I would love to see a photo of him when he has feathered out completely! He is awesome!

 

[FortCluck]

Why what humidity do you aim for?

40% but I live in a really humid area

 

[Oldhallchicks]

So I’m having a slight panic. The shelf liner I’ve used for the hatching basket isn’t the thing tray I thought people were recommended, doesn’t have holes in it. So I’m afraid if any chicks pip upside down they won’t be able to breathe.

thinking I should put them straight into the hatching tray.

is it normal to fee this freaked out that I’ve done everything wrong the first time hatching?! I’m a mess lol