Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Lotsapaints]

I have so many that need to get done too...he's a welder right now working long hours after 2 years of little work....he can do the rough cuts and I can do all the other finishing stuff that he really doesn't like last time he let me use the nail gun I nailed his thumb....lucky it wasn't worse I now use just the drill and screws much safer. He cuts much straighter than I can and he figures it out and cuts all the pieces and then I paint and then I used to have to wait now I can put most of it up and he can inspect it when he gets home. He is Mr. Perfection I wonder how many times I'll get to do some things to get it right.....but there are many things I can build that will not need his "help" yippee

 

[geebs]

Bikechick: Here you go...

BevDavis wrote:
Temperature 99.5*

Humidity for the first 18 days between 45 - 50* Increase to 70* for the last three days.

Eggs are very forgiving so don't worry too much.

The incubator should be pre set so you should be alright with the temperature but humidity might be a problem because it's very hard to find an accurate hygrometer. Check the air space at day eight and take out any eggs that look clear. Keep an eye on the air space, if it looks small reduce the water, if it's too big increase the humidity.

Some people can't help themselves at the end of the hatch to see if there is a live chick there or not. If there is a live chick that is a bit late hatching put the egg back in the incubator and cover the egg with a wet face cloth. The chick will hatch out and be alright with the extra humidity.

Bev​

 

[bikechick]

Lotsapaints-yes, I like being independant especially with my projects. My dh isn't a skilled carpenter and really doesn't care to be sooo it's me! I just scratch by though-wish I had more "learnin'". I know a bit more "know-how" would save me alot of time, but a gal got's to do what she can with what she has...especially with two little ones who like to "help".
Geeps-yes, I read what Bev wrote re: 'bating. I had a really successful hatch a month or so ago using the "dry method" and the #'s are simular to Bevs. I thinkI should just worry about getting my new hatcher at the right temp and the humidity will work out in the end esp with the eggs in there hatching.
It's looking good right now, but the thermostat is proving to be a buggar.

 

[geebs]

The bators like the one you made and the one I made can take 3 or 4 days to stabilize....You have to ask yourself at this point wether it is worth moving them from a stabilized bator...If they are expensive or shipped or worse..the last of a set of stock...then you may opt to hatch em where they are.. I set mine up today for a Wednesday hatch...so I have time to work the kinks out after having it sit for a year.

Uhhhh GEEPS????

So uh.... Bikechick.. whacha hatching????

 

[Lotsapaints]

I run mine at 35% then 65 -70 at hatch and I've had them hatch at 35% when I forgot to take them out of the incubator into the hatcher too....

 

[bikechick]

Quote:
Geebs-You are soo right. I should just go to bed and not worry.

I'll hatch them in the bator like I have always (well, 3 times) done and use my hatcher next time. UNLESS, by tomorrow afternoon things are looking really good. These eggs do mean alot to me so I need to be careful. Thanx for the wisdom.

 

[geebs]

Good hatch rate???

I do okay... about 80 percent in the hove.... My friend uses the same hove and gets better results...I don't understand how but he does... I think he watches it more carefully than I do...He averages 95 percent on homegrown eggies and 75 on shipped... He may have a more stable place in his house also....I have a woodstove so the humidity drops fairly quickly. I throw a wet towel over it at the end and NEVER open it. I will throw in a bantam egg at the same time with the marans...They alway hatch a day early and boost my humidity...(nuther little trick for styrofoam bators)

 

[geebs]

Can't wait to see the test run on the new bator....after this hatch!!!

Did you rig up a turner??? I couldn't tell. you can get those egg holders that come in new fridges... those on a rod that you can turn from the outside work great...You don't have to open it...or you can just rock the unit.

 

[bikechick]

I'm hatching BCM eggs from a man who bought some of Bev's birds and eggs from GFF. Soooo, so far the eggs have performed great, but the big day is coming!

I hope they continue to be good lil chicks.

 

[bikechick]

geebs-No egg turners for the cooler is just for hatching. It's too hard for the kids & I to watch thru those small windows on my bator. I built this one so we could all watch the process.
I had a great hatch rate last time, but the bator was in a different part of the house and we didn't have our heat on yet. So I hope they do as well this time.