Marans and Starlights together?

[bravecoconut]

I just got six Marans and six Starlight hatching eggs. I'd love opinions if I should dry hatch them together. I haven't dry hatched before but it seems the general consensus is this is the best way for Marans. I do have two incubators but of course only using one would be preferable.

From what I'm reading, I should aim at keeping the humidity around 30% then around 55% for lockdown. Do you'll think that would work for the Starlights as well? Outside right now the humidity is ridiculous at 85% and it's not supposed to rain for a week. This isn't normal however. I do live in marshlands and am surrounded by water. My home is elevated six feet due to this. Obviously, higher humidity around me can happen often.

I'd love to hear everyone's opinions, pros and cons. They are doing their twenty four hour sit and will be going in the incubator(s) in the morning so I have a little bit of time to decide.

Thanks in advance!

 

[nuthatched]

"Eggs is eggs". They only issues I've had hatching is if some eggs are much larger than others.

 

[bravecoconut]

"Eggs is eggs". They only issues I've had hatching is if some eggs are much larger than others.

They're pretty close in size so that isn't an issue. Do you dry hatch?

 

[nuthatched]

They're pretty close in size so that isn't an issue. Do you dry hatch?

They should be fine then. I have dry hatched, it works well in my climate .

 

[Yardmom]

Your environment sounds like a good place for dry hatching. You should be able to hatch both type of eggs with the same conditions.

 

[bravecoconut]

They should be fine then. I have dry hatched, it works well in my climate .

Thank you! I appreciate it!

 

[bravecoconut]

Your environment sounds like a good place for dry hatching. You should be able to hatch both type of eggs with the same conditions.

Thank you! The more I dig, the more it seems it will be fine. You see so much about Marans needing such different conditions but I can't imagine I'm the only one who wants to (or has) put everything together. I appreciate the info!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I've never incubated Marans or Welsummer eggs. I think the theory is that with all of the pigment on the surface in the dark ones (assuming yours are really dark) they are less porous than "normal" eggs so have a harder time losing moisture. I have incubated dark green eggs that I have real problems seeing inside when candling but that is mostly a different kind of pigment so probably not relevant. I have not noticed any difference in my dark green eggs hatching compared to lighter eggs.

I have never done dry hatch. With experimentation I've discovered with my incubator and conditions that a humidity of 40% during incubation and over 65% during lockdown is about right. Different incubators and different conditions, different sweet spots. So my experience is probably not that relevant to Marans eggs or your situation.

12 eggs (six of each) and one incubation are not statistically significant numbers. And it sounds like these may be shipped eggs, a lot of potential variables there. Since you have two incubators you could put three eggs of each in the two, run one dry hatch, and run one normal conditions (whatever they are for you) but I don't think it will tell you much. Not enough of a sample size. Still, that would probably give you your best chance of at least getting some chicks. I'm sure you've heard of "Don't put all of your eggs in one basket".
But since you want to try a dry hatch with those Marans eggs, I'd put them all in one incubator and try it. Just see what happens. I think your odds of success are as good as using your normal method.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[bravecoconut]

I've never incubated Marans or Welsummer eggs. I think the theory is that with all of the pigment on the surface in the dark ones (assuming yours are really dark) they are less porous than "normal" eggs so have a harder time losing moisture. I have incubated dark green eggs that I have real problems seeing inside when candling but that is mostly a different kind of pigment so probably not relevant. I have not noticed any difference in my dark green eggs hatching compared to lighter eggs.

I have never done dry hatch. With experimentation I've discovered with my incubator and conditions that a humidity of 40% during incubation and over 65% during lockdown is about right. Different incubators and different conditions, different sweet spots. So my experience is probably not that relevant to Marans eggs or your situation.

12 eggs (six of each) and one incubation are not statistically significant numbers. And it sounds like these may be shipped eggs, a lot of potential variables there. Since you have two incubators you could put three eggs of each in the two, run one dry hatch, and run one normal conditions (whatever they are for you) but I don't think it will tell you much. Not enough of a sample size. Still, that would probably give you your best chance of at least getting some chicks. I'm sure you've heard of "Don't put all of your eggs in one basket".
But since you want to try a dry hatch with those Marans eggs, I'd put them all in one incubator and try it. Just see what happens. I think your odds of success are as good as using your normal method.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

They're not shipped. I picked them up. I just put them all in one incubator and added some of my Marans, Leghorn, and Ayam Cemani eggs. No sense in having empty spots in the incubator! I figured I'll test the rainbow with the dry hatch and see how it goes. Scientifically, it's not going to help me figure it out really unless I get more of her eggs and run two like you suggested numerous times to see which is best. This is good enough I feel to help me decide. Using my own Marans egg will help me not feel it was just her eggs if they don't hatch as well. I'm excited to see how it goes! Not having to stress over balancing the humidity sounds wonderful. I'll definitely update as they progress. Thank you very much for all your thoughts! I appreciate it.