Here's some info that I've collected for myself that you may find interesting or helpful!
Here's some info that I've collected for myself that you may find interesting or helpful!
REGARDING INCUBATION
*When is day 1 (see #69 & #70)
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/eggs/res32-qa.html
*Calibrating your hygrometer (see # & read the calculation correction at the bottom) (see #241
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=271098&p=25
*The dry incubation method
https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-DryIncubation.html
(see #3)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=113681&p=3
*Candling (see #6)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3364955#p3364955
*Egg progression (see #1)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=261876&p=1
*Air cell
http://www.poultryclub.org/VHIncubation.htm
*Emergency egg repair with wax (see #68)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=270500&p=68
*Egg carton hatching examples (see #5)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/form/viewtopic.php?id=276491&p=5
*My Christmas 09 - Incubation of 6 viable eggs (save the favs/see #70)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=270500&p=70
*My Christmas 09 - Hatched eggs, 6 chicks (save the favs/see #80)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=270500&p=80
MY "DRY INCUBATION" METHOD USED - That was very successful for me, but you will find out what works best for you & with your equipment
(The purpose of using this method is so chicks dont grow too large & not be able to turn during pip. Also, so they dont drown in the excess liquid in the air cell when they break through before pipping; the excess liquid is caused by higher humidity.)
*Days 1 thru 17: Temperature was 99.5 degrees F (this temp is for forced air incubators, measured at the level of the egg using a small thermometer that lays on top of the eggs), Humidity was 40% to 42% (with a couple of drops to no lower than 25% for air cell growth, may not be necessary though). Eggs were propped up at an angle with wide end at top, but most people just lay them down sideways. Turned eggs 3 times a day (on my work days) & 5 times a day (on my weekends); 5 times is better & always turn an uneven # of x's a day.
*Day 18: "Lockdown" starts. Stop turning eggs, put eggs into cardboard egg carton bottom with hole in each cell bottom(sizzor away the empty egg carton parts, the carton keeps the air cell at the top & stops the hatched chicks from knocking around other eggs), keep temp at 99.5 F, bring humidity up to 55% for the durration, & do not open the incubator again until all chicks have hatched (opening it would drop the humidity too much for the other chicks in eggs & they could stick to shells & not get out). Be patient, as the last hatch took 20 hrs from 1st pip to the last one hatched.
OTHER INFO
*Homemade Natural Chicken Dust Bath Recipe (external parasites, such as mites) put 1 part of each of the following in a kitty litter tray & leave out (keep dry) for chickens: wood ash, DE (diatomaceous earth), sand & road dust (dusty dirt).
*Good veggies for chickens
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats
*Treatments for Leg Problems in Chickens
http://sites.google.com/a/larsencreek.com/chicken-orthopedics/leg-braces
*Hatchability Problem Analysis (see pg. 11 - includes section on Nutritional Deficiencies & Toxicities in chicks)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa204
*Need to sex your chicks. (hatchery method at 2-4 days old) Watch this:
*HOW TO STAY CALM & RELAXED WHEN WAITING FOR THEM TO HATCH
Still researching info on that! Let me know if you have any ideas!