Looking for Easter Hatch Buddies!!!

[sgtmom52]

I set 29 this morning. My first time using my new Genesis 1588 w/turner.

I set 4 BLRW, 3 bantam mottled frizzle cochin, 7 EE and the rest mutts.

 

[ptig78d]

Good evening, all. I set my eggs yesterday around 1130, but figuring out that it takes them time to warm up, I figure they should hatch on Easter as well. I set a dozen eggs from Kandace at greenfamilyfarms, and threw in 3 of my own. So, that includes: 2 mottled d'Uccles, 1 "mystery", and 8 Buff Orps...then the 3 mutts I have are 1 EE, 1 smaller white egg...not sure if it's from one of the phoenix hens or my youngest hen, who is a SS Hamburg...and one bantam egg from a BuffBrahma Cochin bantam hen. It will be interesting to see what comes of them, as our 3 roos are 1 BR, 1 RIR, and 1 young SS Hamburg.
Have a great day, all!!

 

[MagsC]

Mine should hatch right around Easter. I never plan an exact date anymore because when I do, they either hatch early or late!

 

[Mom2Munchkins]

Yeah, I set 30 because you just never know with shipped eggs. I am hoping for a great hatch though! My kids are ecstatic!

So when will you candle for the first time? Last year was my first time hatching, and it's funny how so much info slipped my mind over the past 10 months. LOL

 

[8wishbonechicks]

Thank you so much Peep Show for reassuring me. My husband was so afraid we ruined the whole lot with us being newbies. Can't wait til next weekend to candle the little babies. I'm like a kid on Christmas morning. We wish everyone a Happy Easter hatch! Don't forget pictures!!!

 

[Peep_Show]

Quote:
Still air bators should be kept in the 100-102 range, so you're perfect if it doesn't go over and that is the egg top temp. Air at the bottom of the bator is a tad bit cooler which allows the egg to be at the optimal 99.5. Hen body temps are 101-103. If temp is on the warmer side and prolonged, expect an earlier hatch. A water wiggler at egg level will give you a good read on what the actual egg temp is.

My old bator manual suggested taking the lid off once a day during the first 18 days for no more than 15 minutes. Apparently this mimics the hen stepping out for food, sustenance, a cigarette.

So don't panic if the incubator cools occasionally, provided it's not real prolonged.

A new incubator? I am SO jealous! I was contemplating a new incubator if my trusty "rat bator"*** failed...but it's still working great after 12 years of non-use, so cannot justify the expense. But the thought of just "set and forget" is very enticing. I could lust after a new Brinsea 20 given the right circumstances....

*** called the "rat bator" because when I fetched it from storage under Mom's house, it was filthy with rodent gnaw marks in the styrofoam. Gave it a thorough cleaning and disinfecting, found some new windows as the old ones had yellowed considerably, and rehabbed it with a new wafer. It was purchased over 15 years ago, used for several years and then in storage. It had a thermometer labeled "Miller" and no model number anywhere, but very similar to Little Giant incubators...except it works really well and has done yeoman's duty with goose and duck eggs. It has an egg turner (used for just one batch of chicken eggs), but I could only find four trays and so now only 28 eggs at a time for hands-off incubating.

Guess we'll know at candling how the boxes are working!

 

[Peep_Show]

Quote:
I candle at 4 days for veins and 7 for the little black floater. In the meantime the eggs just get a joy ride in the auto-turner....

 

[stumble_n_mumble]

I SET EGGS LAST NIGHT TOO! theres 3 silkie eggs and i started 2 duck eggs last week that are going to hatch with the chicks! so yeay easter! lol

 

[Mom2Munchkins]

I cannot wait to candle!!! The first hatch of the year is always the most exciting huh??

 

[joe17]

MEEE 2222222!!! We can be hatch buddies. I counted today as the first day (MArch 15)