Mahonri's 3rd Annual, BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!

[zookeeper15133]

Wow, now I know what people mean when they have 200+ post to catch up on. It was worth it though. One of our Nigerian Dwarf does had FIVE kids today!



For an idea of their size, (my wife is 5'2" (really 5"1', but ....)


And of course there was an audience in the cheap seats, but with a birds eye view

Congrats! I know twins and triplets are common. Quads aren't that rare, but five! Great! My Pygmies are due next month for the first time.

 

[1muttsfan]

Mahonri, hope you are recovering well - I dumped hot oil on my leg when I was in college, and the recovery process was not fun

Whoever asked about emus free ranging, the answer is NO - they will disappear and you will have people calling from all over about the dinosaur birds running loose.

My advice for hatchers is that if you are using a thermometer or a hygrometer, calibrate it first.

Thermometer - If it is sealed and goes to 212 degrees, test it with water that is boiling as you test it. If not, compare it to a thermometer that can be tested (like a kitchen thermometer) by putting them next to each other for a while. Make a note of how far off the thermometer is from accurate, and add or subtract that to the number you read to give you the actual temp. Most thermometers have a +/_ accuracy of at least 2 degrees, which means they can be far enough off to affect your hatch. And 3 inaccurate thermometers are no better than one innacurate one.

Hygrometer - the best way is to test them using the salt method, there are several threads that talk about this. It is easy, inexpensive, and takes little time. Again, make a note of how far off your hygrometer is, and add or subtract that number to give you the actual reading.

 

[Arielle]

Whoever asked about emus free ranging, the answer is NO - they will disappear and you will have people calling from all over about the dinosaur birds running loose.

We alredy have Raptor, a BSL rooster, and Velociraptor, a EE hen !!!

 

[Farmerboy16]

Quote:
FB16, I got my first grey hair when I was 18. I blame my ex for it since it was only a few months after I started dating him. The rest of them I still blame on him. LOL Just remember, about $10 gets you any color you like. LOL

I will try to remember that, SCG My mom did not start getting gray hair until in her 50s, even though she have 9 kids. I have a lot of my mom's side in me, and her parents did not go gray until in their 50s, so I am good until then. Maybe mlmddh- Wow, 5 kids! Great job!

 

[greeneacre]

Still don't know how may eggs I will be setting. I have sent out my swap eggs and have heard from one of of mine, eggs arriving today or tomorrow, but still waiting to hear from the second one.

 

[Arielle]

I have had a run on my hatching eggs!! I pray the PO handles them well. I pack very well so I expect they eggs will arrive in good shape.

I have one more shipment to make today. I can pack another dozen tomorrow if anyone needs eggs.

I'm hoping to see my marans lay a few more by end of day Saturday. And put them in the incubator!

 

[CayuseRanch]

Cayuse, what kind of thermometers have you got? I'm wondering if they are sealed. I'm also wondering if you have compared them with your house's thermostat to see if they are accurate? I'm thinking maybe your temps are a bit off, and it's just enough to have an issue.

Also, if there isn't enough turning done early on, it can't sustain itself well later on. I had a turner quit on me once and it took forever for me to notice it.

Thermometers sealed? Whats that lol. I have three different types of thermometers. An acurite (which has been the one with the most fluctuations) the one that came with the incubator (which was pretty consistent except during lockdown) and one that I don't know what the name is but is round looks like a clock. It is always the highest. Also, I have an IR Thermometer which I use to "check" temp. It is usually at the 99 degree in the middle of those 3. I could take them all out of the bator now and see what I get room temp. But I was also just thinking of going to walmart and getting the cheapies you have on your cheat sheet.

About your comment on not turning....Based on that, what are your thoughts on not turning shipped eggs? And what if some of your eggs are not shipped?

Oh what a mess.... the variables...... the stress........ ChooksChick, you want to move in with me for the next 3 weeks?
(oh and bring your bators)

 

[cherylcohen]

Why isn't setting day TODAY I've got too many eggs to wait....

 

[kvmommy]

Good morning! Its beyond gorgeous here in CT. The urge to go fishing is overwhelming me. I just know nothing about fishing on the east coast. I'm used to fly fishing and sturgeon fishing in Oregon and Washington. *sigh Theres no place like home. My DH is lucky I love him so much that I'm willing to leave my family and my coast for this place. But...I have great news! I have more eggs coming. I'm going to be able to set alot like I planned! woo-hoo! not exactly on time...but close.

 

[buckabucka]

Post the pictures she sent ya!

I can do that later today, on the real computer (I am at work now)