Laree's "I CAN'T STOP MYSELF FROM HATCHING!!!" Hatch-a-long

[Lotsapaints]

Quote:
Raise it up today just don't get carried away I did that a few hatches ago not really on purpose and I drowned a few at 75%...I too live in the dry country though this year with all the rain it was strange not to add water to the incubators much.

 

[Patchesnposies]

Quote:
Raise it up today just don't get carried away I did that a few hatches ago not really on purpose and I drowned a few at 75%...I too live in the dry country though this year with all the rain it was strange not to add water to the incubators much.

Thanks for the advice and caution Lotsapaints! If the humidity has been low, 40-ish (which is low for me), all long, will they still drown if I raise to 70-75% for hatch? I was planning on shooting for 70%....but I know it will go way up once they start to hatch.

Maybe I'll try for 65% and raise it if they seem "dry"?

 

[dsqard]

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Anyone looking for turkey eggs should contact Lotsapaints. She shipped me 6 BR eggs for the Easter hatch. All six arrived without a scratch, all six developed and all six hatched! At almost two weeks old, they are getting really good at flying out of the brooder box already.

I had to put the cover on weeks earlier than I usually have to. I can't recommend her eggs enough!

 

[Lotsapaints]

Quote:
Raise it up today just don't get carried away I did that a few hatches ago not really on purpose and I drowned a few at 75%...I too live in the dry country though this year with all the rain it was strange not to add water to the incubators much.

I'd try for the 70% as I did 75% and it was the going up to almost 80% that did them in I'm sure......normally here 75% isn't bad but we've had so much rain and coolness. I can always up the humidity by adding a little water but I can't get that water out of there if I let it get too high.

Thanks so much for the kind words dsqard glad to here they are flying for you

mine get clipped right away and I still had to go collect them from the great outdoors a few times I try and get those poults sold at a week for that very reason because then I get attached I always have one who is my greeter and helps me dole out the feed did I tell you how much they like to eat?

Patchesnposies have you been able to candle those eggs? Mine are developing right along due to hatch the 15th I can't wait.

 

[Patchesnposies]

Quote:
Raise it up today just don't get carried away I did that a few hatches ago not really on purpose and I drowned a few at 75%...I too live in the dry country though this year with all the rain it was strange not to add water to the incubators much.

I'd try for the 70% as I did 75% and it was the going up to almost 80% that did them in I'm sure......normally here 75% isn't bad but we've had so much rain and coolness. I can always up the humidity by adding a little water but I can't get that water out of there if I let it get too high.

Thanks so much for the kind words dsqard glad to here they are flying for you

mine get clipped right away and I still had to go collect them from the great outdoors a few times I try and get those poults sold at a week for that very reason because then I get attached I always have one who is my greeter and helps me dole out the feed did I tell you how much they like to eat?

Patchesnposies have you been able to candle those eggs? Mine are developing right along due to hatch the 15th I can't wait.

Lotsapaints, those eggs defy my best candling efforts! LOL I am fairly confident that there are a good number developing, but have had such a hard time seeing through those dark shells that I resorted to just leaving them all in there and treating each one like it were made of gold and about to hatch diamonds! They are due to hatch on the 20th. I devoted a whole incubator just to them and hover over them like a nervous broody hen.

All the while feigning nonchalance at the final outcome....because it is always the eggs that you are aching to hatch.....that don't!

 

[jennifersmith326]

Hi, I filled out the form. I am hatching Silver Seabrights, Mille Fleur d'Uccles, Cuckoo Marans, Easter Eggers, and Salmon Faverolle

Here is my WEEK 1- funniest chicken picture.

Her name is Bernice, she is a barred rock about 2 years old

 

[dsqard]

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I don't know what kind of eggs you are trying to candle but I know I was having a hard time candling my green eggs until I learned a trick on another thread. My "candler" is a 115 lumen spot light with the rubber end of a plumber's helper on top of the light. I set my eggs on top of the rubber with the spot light on and then I take a mag light and shine into the egg from the top as well. It makes seeing into those darker eggs a lot easier. This late in the incubation, you won't see a whole bunch since the egg should be mainly dark but you should be able to see the air cell. I use this chart to help determine what humidity I should use for lockdown.

If the cells are pretty big, I go with a higher humidity since the eggs won't reabsorb moisture. If the cells are smaller than they should be I go with a lower humidity to hopefully evaporate more moisture out of the egg to avoid drowning once they internally pip. Hope this helps!

 

[dsqard]

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Well you did warn me about the flying part but I was surprised to have them getting out so soon

and yes they do like to eat!

They are adorable though!

 

[Patchesnposies]

Quote:
I don't know what kind of eggs you are trying to candle but I know I was having a hard time candling my green eggs until I learned a trick on another thread. My "candler" is a 115 lumen spot light with the rubber end of a plumber's helper on top of the light. I set my eggs on top of the rubber with the spot light on and then I take a mag light and shine into the egg from the top as well. It makes seeing into those darker eggs a lot easier. This late in the incubation, you won't see a whole bunch since the egg should be mainly dark but you should be able to see the air cell. I use this chart to help determine what humidity I should use for lockdown.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/60251_candlingsl8.jpg
If the cells are pretty big, I go with a higher humidity since the eggs won't reabsorb moisture. If the cells are smaller than they should be I go with a lower humidity to hopefully evaporate more moisture out of the egg to avoid drowning once they internally pip. Hope this helps!

Dsqard-Thank you! I'm going to have my DH put together an uber-candler like this for me to use in the future on dark and green eggs. The chart is awesome....it will be very helpful, especially for the eggs that are due this weekend.

I am sure I am not the only one who will appreciate your info!

Thanks again!

 

[dsqard]

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It is very easy to "make"
TA-DA!

Red necked candler!

Yes I did buy the plumber's helper for just this purpose

and I did have to drill a hole in the rubber. Other than that it is easy-peazy!