"Louisiana "La-yers" Peeps"

[bigoledude]

Neither me nor my family's ever used a hatcher. I'm going to start building a dedicated hatcher to work along with the Hideous-bator. I have in mind some of the features I'd like to incorporate that differ from the incubator.

Would y'all please list some suggestions for features in/on a hatcher that would make my hatches more successful. Easier to clean up. Safer for the chicks etc....

 

[campingshaws]

Neither me nor my family's ever used a hatcher.  I'm going to start building a dedicated hatcher to work along with the Hideous-bator.  I have in mind some of the features I'd like to incorporate that differ from the incubator.

Would y'all please list some suggestions for features in/on a hatcher that would make my hatches more successful.  Easier to clean up.  Safer for the chicks etc.... 

Depends on what you like. I put a HUGE window right in the front so the kids and I have front row seats to the action. I used a cooler so cleanup is SO easy. I don't like that the lid sticks and there's auction when I open it; it holds temp and humidity well, but I don't like the idea of that cold air sucking in. Plus it scares the babies.

I don't know what you mean by "safer for the chicks." Safer than what?

 

[forgetful]

Finally got a photo of the curved outer toes a few of my chicks are experiencing. It doesn't hinder movement at all. Anyone have any suggestions on what could be causing it?

 

[bigoledude]

Depends on what you like. I put a HUGE window right in the front so the kids and I have front row seats to the action. I used a cooler so cleanup is SO easy. I don't like that the lid sticks and there's auction when I open it; it holds temp and humidity well, but I don't like the idea of that cold air sucking in. Plus it scares the babies.

I don't know what you mean by "safer for the chicks." Safer than what?

I had baby quail fall between the rack and wall, get trapped and die. Had to remind myself not to have water/humidity tray where chicks could get into it. Almost designed it putting fan too low near chicks. Heating element within reach of biddies? I guess "safer for the chicks" was sorta dumb to list as a concern.

Still, any ideas on how to build features into a hatcher to make it better?

My son has a couple of gallons of epoxy resin that is compatible with foam. I will coat the entire interior. This will allow me the benefit of building a hatcher with a material that is incredibly easy to work with and yet eliminate the one LARGE drawback of foam. That is cleanup and the possible absorption of nastiness into the foam. Still, I will have the freedom to build it any way, shape or design I want and, have the added benefit of an easy-to-clean hatcher.

Just thought you folks, being much more experienced than me, would have some things y'all would have liked to incorporate into a better hatcher?

 

[Ron Skekel]

I candled before going to lock down. One clear and one I'm not sure about looks like it could be a quitter dense shell so I'm leaving it in. Turk The one you thought was clear is alive and still going. You may be tossing some to soon. Just a thought. I'm excited these will be the first Neiderrhinders I'm hatching they all are alive at this time .Hoping for Blue silverrud blues. . The rest will be FBCMs. Some are for sale if interested let me know they will hatch in 2 to 3 days. Pam

 

[Ron Skekel]

Finally got a photo of the curved outer toes a few of my chicks are experiencing. It doesn't hinder movement at all. Anyone have any suggestions on what could be causing it?

My guess because it's a few, it's genetic. If selling to a Back yard flock It wouldn't mater. If breeding to sop I would mark all eggs from each hen and narrow down who are these chicks coming from? If you find they all came from one hen then you know. Hope I've giving you some help on how to figure it out. Pam

 

[Ron Skekel]

I had baby quail fall between the rack and wall, get trapped and die.  Had to remind myself not to have water/humidity tray where chicks could get into it.  Almost designed it putting fan too low near chicks.  Heating element within reach of biddies?  I guess "safer for the chicks" was sorta dumb to list as a concern. 

Still, any ideas on how to build features into a hatcher to make it better?

My son has a couple of gallons of epoxy resin that is compatible with foam. I will coat the entire interior.  This will allow me the benefit of building a hatcher with a material that is incredibly easy to work with and yet eliminate the one LARGE drawback of foam.  That is cleanup and the possible absorption of nastiness into the foam.  Still, I will have the freedom to build it any way, shape or design I want and, have the added benefit of an easy-to-clean hatcher.

Just thought you folks, being much more experienced than me, would have some things y'all would have liked to incorporate into a better hatcher? 

I would research any toxic off gassing from the epoxy. I don't know of any but I would look into it. You will want a surface that has traction of some kind to prevent splay legs.Pam

 

[bigoledude]

Ms. Pam The epoxy resin is one of two of the most common resins used to apply fiberglass. And yes, you are absolutely correct. It must be given time to cure.

As a result of your point on traction, I am now planning on mixing a little sand-blasting sand with the epoxy. We've used this technique for years on the decks of our boats to prevent slipping. I had no idea that a slick surface could cause injury to chicks. I knew that it was not a great idea to have a slick surface on the floor of the coop to prevent the girls from crashing on landing. Thanks a bunch for the heads-up!

 

[campingshaws]

Depends on what you like. I put a HUGE window right in the front so the kids and I have front row seats to the action. I used a cooler so cleanup is SO easy. I don't like that the lid sticks and there's auction when I open it; it holds temp and humidity well, but I don't like the idea of that cold air sucking in. Plus it scares the babies.


I don't know what you mean by "safer for the chicks." Safer than what?

I had baby quail fall between the rack and wall, get trapped and die.  Had to remind myself not to have water/humidity tray where chicks could get into it.  Almost designed it putting fan too low near chicks.  Heating element within reach of biddies?  I guess "safer for the chicks" was sorta dumb to list as a concern. 

Still, any ideas on how to build features into a hatcher to make it better?

My son has a couple of gallons of epoxy resin that is compatible with foam. I will coat the entire interior.  This will allow me the benefit of building a hatcher with a material that is incredibly easy to work with and yet eliminate the one LARGE drawback of foam.  That is cleanup and the possible absorption of nastiness into the foam.  Still, I will have the freedom to build it any way, shape or design I want and, have the added benefit of an easy-to-clean hatcher.

Just thought you folks, being much more experienced than me, would have some things y'all would have liked to incorporate into a better hatcher? 

This is my hatcher. I only use it for lockdown, so no rails to get caught in. We built up a false floor with hardware cloth then covered it with rubber shelf liner. I would be worried about the coarse sand material damaging the umbilicus as they flop and drag around. The shelf liner is soft but still provides traction and allows plenty of airflow around the eggs.

I have a ledge under the fan to help direct the airflow. I noticed on this hatch they liked to run under the ledge, I guess mimicking a broody hen.

I use mason jars for humidity, and they're too tall for the chicks to reach. I also use damp sponges on a tea bag rest; there is no standing water for the chicks to get into, and any overflow goes through the false floor so the chicks stay dry.

I have not had any get into the fan, but a piece of hardware cloth would fix that if you're concerned. They also cannot reach the light bulbs.

 

[forgetful]

Thank you for the advice Mrs Pam. I'll be marking eggs and seeing how it looks from there