Lockdown!

[slackwater]

I just went into lock down my my 12 shipped splash JGs and 8 home-grown RIRs (possibly mixes). Candled them all, saw what I think I needed to see, upped the humidity...and now to wait. Hoping the power doesn't go out in the midst of this current blizzard. I'm ready to bundle up with them in my shirt, if need be! Wish me luck!

 

[Serrin]

Sending good hatching vibes your way Slackwater...sure hope you don't lose the power.

Do you have wood heat by any chance? If you do, put a pot of water on to boil now, then move it to the wood stove after it comes to a boil to keep it hot. Next, gather up some glass jars with good lids, or hot water bottles if you happen to have those. Also, if you have plain uncooked rice handy, you can heat some of that up in a dish in the oven while you still have power. Heat it up to around 200-250F in the oven (don't use any water. You're not cooking it, just using it as a heat sink)

If the power goes out, transfer the heated rice to a sock and place it as quickly as possible into the incubator and then wrap the bator with heavy towels to help hold in the heat. Just make sure you keep the vent holes clear and that you can still see in to monitor their progress. Or, you can use the water you kept hot on the wood stove. Fill a jar or two and put them in the bator as quickly as possible. In the absence of a good glass jar, doubled up Ziploc bags can work in a pinch too. But, you might want to wrap that up in a paper towel or two in case it leaks a bit.

In either case, make sure you don't put any eggs too close to the heat sources. It could be too hot and fry the poor little things!

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Good advice Serrin. Good luck with your eggs slackwater.

 

[IggiMom]

I just put my wonderful RIR eggs into lockdown!

So I am with you, and I, too, hope very much that I do not lose power again. I was without for 20 hours a few days ago.

I candled them also, and didn't see much movement. In fact, I mostly didn't see anything. Just an air cell and darkness.

Do most of you see them squirming around when you candle before lockdown?

What did you see, Slack?

I am so afraid that perhaps I lost them all during the power outage. It is driving me nuts.

I have sent for a new candler. Maybe the one I have isn't strong enough. It won't be here for this batch, obviously.

Send hatching vibes this way! Please!

Catherine

 

[slackwater]

Quote:
We haven't lost power yet, but with the wind & ice from this storm, we may have just been lucky up to this point. And we don't have any wood heat at this point...still working on both the fireplace and a backup generator - go figure, installation on both has been delayed due to the recent bout of snowstorms

FOr the most part, I just saw an air cell and darkness, too. Sometimes, around the edges of the darkness, I could see pulsing blood vessels, and other times I saw the briefest of movements. On one egg, I saw a beak moving. But that's about it. I just watch for a few seconds to see if there is even slight movement around the edge of the blob and called it good - so, by that definition, they are all currently good

I'm sending hatching vibes your way! When are yours officially set to hatch? Mine are due on Saturday..

 

[IggiMom]

Thanks! I feel a little better, still obsessing.

Mine are like wise due on Saturday.

To be specific, I put them in the incubator in the evening, so I guess they are due on Saturday evening.

I am really excited about these eggs. They are great eggs.

Catherine

 

[fishman65]

looks like it's gonna be bator tv this weekend. I am going on lockdown tomorrow with 33 eggs. Good luck all. sending happy hatching vibes your way!

 

[Feathered Landings]

I went into lockdown on Tues. night also. The anticipation is killing me!!!! Break out the bag of popcorn

I started with 7 and went in with all 7

When I candled right before lockdown I saw some movement in each egg but it was really hard to see...I really had to let my eyes focus. I agree with slackwater, the best way to see was where the air cell light met with the darkness of the chick. The movement can easily be missed if you're going to quickly or the light is at the wrong angle. Good luck to all and happy hatching.
Rachel

 

[slackwater]

UPDATE: entered lockdown yesterday, today (well, this evening), I have a PIP in one of my shipped splash JG eggs...of course, I'm worrying that things are off, but the temp has steadily been between 99.5 and 100 for the entire incubation (love my brinsea octogon eco), and I upped the water last night, so humidity should be fine...hopefully he is just a go-getter. Hubby & kids will be home tomorrow, so I'm sure I'll be calling frequently for a play-by-play!

 

[Feathered Landings]

I'm getting so worried...and I know I should be more patient, but everyone seems to have pips early. Officially I just started day 21 at 830pm tonight if I get technical, but I'm counting it as Fri. and NOTHING!!!! I am just besides myself right now, I know I still have all of Fri as day 21, but everyone has been having pips early. This is my first hatch and I'm so worrried I did something wrong...I KNOW for a fact that all my eggs have chicks in them, why won't they come out. I know, I know, be patient.....but it's so hard

Congrats slackwater on your pip...I'm really excited for you. Please post pics once your little fluffy butt comes out

For now I'll just have to satisfy my chickie needs through everyone else