MARCH HATCH-A-LONG come join in

[chickenmeadow]

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I am unable to advise on that, with my last hatch, I had separated the whold batch into 2 incubators, because of space. One of the incubators went crazy high with temps & humidity dropped below regular a few more times than the other bator. I only became concerned when I noticed that the air cells of all 4 were very large & was sure that none would hatch; one candled with the chick looking good though. So, I did something that I wouldn't normally do (with the "dry incubation" method-which just means dryer than what is usually done for most everyone), & went higher than my usual 55% humidity for the 18th & 19th day of lockdown in hopes of not having excessive dry membranes for the 4 eggs. 3 hatched well & one never made it pass the membrane. So, I've taken notes on this & will be xtra careful to watch that on crazy/unpredictable incubator closer.

I have also learned not to make any adjustments just before going to bed, because by the time that I wake in the morning the incubator has stabelized to that adjustment that I last made without me being around to monitor the changes to leveling out. I'm more careful to watch when eggs are 1st put into bator & when lockdown happens to see what it levels out to for a 1/2 or full day. Just something to consider in the future.

Happy hatching!

 

[chickenmeadow]

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Those are 2 beautiful Marans chicks! For my last hatch on Mar 18th, none of the chicks made much chirping. I only thought that I had heard them 3 x's, which was discouraging until they hatched. The hatch started on Day 22 & was done on the evening of Day 23. They were the quietest, but strongest chicks ever, what next! That's why I never mess with the eggs & investigate for 3 days after the hatch date, just in case. I see that you are being patient too. Happy hatching!

 

[michickenwrangler]

I'm in lockdown now!

 

[chickenmeadow]

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Thanks goodness you had your son on "chick watch" to call & tell you about your 2 that hatched. Congrats! It's so hard to sit at work, when more interesting things are happening at home. Best wishes for the rest.

 

[chickenmeadow]

Illia: Hope you're enjoying your Marans (& such) chicks that hatched around the 20th. There will be more beautiful dark eggs in your hen house when they start laying.

Sorry to hear about the last of your stagered hatch, "stagers" can be so tricky, especially when the bator has to be opened to get the prior chicks out (it just messes with the humidity, etc. too much. Don't know if that was your case or not. There were a few times in the past that I had helped chicks out of the eggs, but it is so tricky & they often do not make it; so, I don't tough them anymore & only hope for the strong ones. Equipment can be a frustration too, as you know. I'm hoping to replace my old Marsh bators someday with a Brinsea Eco 20 (or whatever it's called), hoping for less frustration. At least you have one good bator.

Well, take notes of all of you hatches, do research, learn & do better next time. It gets easier as we go.

I look forward to seeing you on April's hatch-a-long. Maybe you can post pics there of this month's chicks when they've grown some, I'd like to see that. Marans are cool.

 

[Jen4]

Save the favs... you just reminded me I wanted to show you all some of my chickies from the Feb. hatch... I blog about them all the time on my farm blog, lol. I sold 15 of the 19 I hatched out today... it was kind of sad to see them go! I'm keeping the 4 left and here they are (they will be 4 weeks this weekend).

I'll be posting more pics. on my blog in acouple days...............

 

[chickenmeadow]

michickenwrangler: Yea!!!!! For "lockdowns"!

 

[Woods_Woman]

Here's my 3rd and final hatch for March. These are more polish babies.

 

[chickenmeadow]

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Thanks so much for sharing the pics of your beauties with us. Your blogs are really fun, well designed, pretty, love the pics of you & your family, your farm & your animals. Oh yeah, the recipes look delish!!!!!

 

[chickenmeadow]

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Adorable Polish chicks. Wonderfull pom-pom heads, they should be lovely when they grow up too.