March 2023 hatch-a-long

[Kikilu]

@Kikilu Hey hatch twin, did you candle yesterday? How’s it looking?

Yes candles last night and removed my two clear. All others seem to be developing nicely!! Can even see some development in my dark marans eggs!
How’s your looking?

 

[Kikilu]

Yes candles last night and removed my two clear. All others seem to be developing nicely!! Can even see some development in my dark marans eggs!
How’s your looking?

Oh I just saw your other post!

 

[Dinoroar]

I candled today. I pulled 2 quitters from my march 15th batch. From the march 21st mystery eggs I took out 5 clears and 2 that look like they quit early on. They are nice little eggs and very easy to candle.

 

[gimmie birdies]

These are from the same farm as the green eggs I have on day 7. (11/12 still developing.) I am thinking I want to set more from the same farm, but not just green this time. I may not set all these, but I will wait until Thursday to set, since I am busy. They will hatch March 30? The later the better.

I am going to build an incubator just to heat them up a day. I have done this before. I am not going to stagger cold eggs with good developing eggs. After heating them up for 24 hrs, on Friday , I will move them/combine, unless I like my build,I may keep them in DIY incubator.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I got a chick order! So I get to put more eggs into the incubator soon!

 

[itkn]

I'm expecting chicks to start hatching tomorrow. I've got my broody hen set up on our porch in a dog kennel (chick starter, water and grit just outside of frame in the photo). Hopefully she accepts the chicks! She's been a dedicated broody so far.

 

[junior67]

At least this group makes me not feel so crazy. Lol. Everyone I know thinks I am nuts with what I hatch and it isn't much compared to some here. Lol. Right now I have 16 developing in my incubator, 9 under a broody but would be shocked to even get 5 chicks, then have 8+ eggs coming in the mail that I will set on the 19th. I will also add some for the guy I hatch for from his eggs.

 

[gimmie birdies]

Here is my DIY incubator. I have hatched in these before. 6/6 I can build them in 20 min or less if I have all the stuff to build with. I am using packing tape, but I like duct tape.
This box is 12'' long x6'' wide, and nine '' tall.

Below I have a small second hand lamp, you can pick one up for a couple bucks at a second hand store, or senior center, no need to do any wiring. I use a 15 w bulb.

Foil the bottom of the box, and poke the lamp though the box, no bulb. Put 15w bulb in after. (The whole lamp doesn't have to fit in the box.)

Next step, 5" from the floor of the box, poke 4-5 wooden skewers,

On the skewers place wire, edge to edge on the skewers, leave no gaps for chicks to fall through, I am hatching in different incubator, so I am not worried about them slipping through.
Below I have a light soft thin quilt to set eggs on, leaving edges so air can flow... ( I poke 2 holes on the bottom side, and 2 on the upper of the opposite side for air flow.)

Below do the lid last, I have a viewing glass where the lid can lift and I can turn eggs.

Temp is about 100, room 70 degrees, and I dry hatch.
I had all these items to build this with. The only cost was the bulb which I also had.

 

[Kikilu]

At least this group makes me not feel so crazy. Lol. Everyone I know thinks I am nuts with what I hatch and it isn't much compared to some here. Lol. Right now I have 16 developing in my incubator, 9 under a broody but would be shocked to even get 5 chicks, then have 8+ eggs coming in the mail that I will set on the 19th. I will also add some for the guy I hatch for from his eggs.

Haha I’ve only just started out but feel the same. Family and co-workers not getting it so much!
Have 8 chicks and (now) 10 in incubator 12 more ordered for April but May I have incubator empty? Doesn’t seem right. Think I might source some local mixes. I can’t even crack an egg now (which I currently have to BUY ugh) without seeing if I can tell if they might be fertilized lol
So yes…..also happy I have all of you here lol

 

[gimmie birdies]

This is what it looks like with eggs, I tested it, I can put in 12 easy, 17 crowded, making sure, as in all incubators nothing touches the walls.