March Hatch-A-Long.( How is it gettting here so quick ? LOL )

[davewg297]

Wow! Jut candled my booted's and they all have little embryo's! They're due at about April 7th so I'll see some of you guys in the April Hatch-A-long!!

 

[Farmer Viola]

Wow! Jut candled my booted's and they all have little embryo's! They're due at about April 7th so I'll see some of you guys in the April Hatch-A-long!!

hah yea.. mine are actually due on the 3rd of April! Maybe I shoulda started over there... oh well..

 

[Cynthia12]

Are any of you coming over to the Easter Hatch A Long for April? It's pretty fun! Contests, and a lot of folks that will talk to you. There's a lot of different conversation going on over there. And, if you have any questions, you will get an answer! Or two.

Come check it out.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/857062/the-5th-annual-byc-easter-hatch-a-long

 

[sonderah]

My hatcher has 2 plugs. I couldn't get the humidity up with them both out, so I put 1 in, & had to readjust the temp, but it seems better that way. Think its ok until the start hatching as long as 1 is out?

 

[kallnojoy]

None through yet, but up to 6 pips and a few have made good progress!

And I don't know how I blew my dates, but today is actually day 20, not 21 - so I feel even better now about the progress.

3 hatched overnight ( 2 bcm's and 1 oe) with at least another 9 pipped!

Hard to see much through the fog... grrr!!!

 

[sonderah]

3 hatched overnight ( 2 bcm's and 1 oe) with at least another 9 pipped!

Hard to see much through the fog... grrr!!!

Yay!!!!!!
Sorry bout ur fog. That would drive me batty!!

 

[kallnojoy]

Yay!!!!!!
Sorry bout ur fog. That would drive me batty!!

Truly tests my patience! And I've got a 4 and 2 year old who just woke up and want to see their long awaited chicks!

Other than the fogging, the bator did great. Will definitely be upgrading the view window to double pane for next time though - and making it big enough for two kid's faces pressed against it (and maybe mine as well)!

Running pretty dry on days 1-18 really seemed to make the difference with the bcm's. Even though I've only got 4 bcms out so far, those hatched easier than on my first two attempts were each was a sticky mess. Seems the dark coating on the eggs really does impact the evaporation rate for proper air cell development and dryer is better to avoid sticking/drowning. The OEs that I hatched along side seemed to handle it just fine as well.

ETA: 11 AM and now there are six fuzzy wrecking balls in the incubator!

ETA: 2 PM and we're up to 8 with a few more well on their way to getting out. Two others pipped the wrong end - holding off on intervening for as long as I can restrain myself!

ETA: 3:30 PM and now @ 10. Helped one of the two wrong-end pips as the membrane was starting to look a bit tan... it popped out the rest of the way a short while later and looks to be A-OK.

Also "solved" my fogging issue for now!! Set a small heating pad on low on the viewing window and it keeps the glass warm enough to avoid condensation! Wife thinks (knows) I'm nuts - kids think I'm a hero - balances out!

 

[Roxannemc]

Great job Kal...never would have thought of a heating pad!
All you April hatchers come over to the April Hatch..Anyone?..... thats the name . I think..
I had a broody hatching in March which she isnt now but have a passel of eggs hatching in April in the incubator.....Well lets HOPEthey are hatching.I set a new bator up last Friday and move some eggs there..my hygrometers are kaput so im winging the humidity until my new one arrives hopefully by Saturday.
Right now if i add water to my Genesis i add it to this one too.Not very exacting
l

 

[Tubbys Lil Farm]

Our hatch has started, it is only day 19. I have four external pips as of right now, one is coming breech, anything I should watch for on this one?
Thanks RO

 

[sonderah]

I hear peeping from the bator!!!! Its a big ole Buff Orp egg!! Its only day 19, so lots of time. Don't wanna be TOO impatient, but can't wait at the same time!! Lol