March Hatch-Along Thread- Come Hatch With Us!!!!!

[animaladdictions]

hokankai...I run all my bators dry....on the rare occasion that it looks like I'm losing too much moisture, I'll add a bit of water to ONE of the trays but for the most part, it runs dry till they pip internally and then they go to the hatcher.

This may not work for everyone though so don't anyone take what I do as law...everyone has a different method.

 

[SJ]

Well Animal Addictions I'm going to give this drier incubator thingy a try. I got a pretty damp basement this time of year so maybe I am running the incubator too humid.

 

[animaladdictions]

ok...just don't blame me if it doesn't work for you...I don't want to cause anyone to lose their babies. I'm just saying what works for me. My bators are in my bedroom but I'd say your basement probably has a relatively high humidity as it is. Most dark damp places do...lol

 

[threadgeek]

Quote: Got it, this makes me feel better. Thanks for sharing!

threadgeek...I've never heard of someone hatching grocery store eggs before!!! I didn't even know that was possible! Don't be too rough when "rolling" your eggs around, but slow, gentle turning is fine. If you're too rough you'll damage the blood vessels and could definitely kill the embryo. They do sort of float down to the bottom of the egg (the dark blob is most likely the eye) but when you hold it still you should be able to see some swimming in there...it's almost like a breathing motion. Just imagine "deep breath in...deep breath out", kind of a swaying motion if that makes any sense? You candle dark eggs with a REALLY good and super bright flashlight or candler.

For the people worried about "helping" the chick out...I do if it's an especially valuable bird, but that's just me. Some people think that the chick should ALWAYS hatch on its own and that the adults won't be good birds if you help them hatch...I disagree. Most of the time I let the chickens do their thing, but with my Calls and Geese, if they need help... I help!

Yes, that does make sense, thanks! And apparently I need an even brighter flashlight for the dark eggs.
I wanted a cheap batch of fertile eggs to throw in with the ones from a breeder. =) I got the idea from this thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...cery-store-egg-hatching-club-are-you-a-member

Hi Threadgeek! I have the same issue with candling my dark brown eggs. All I can say is it's hard. But something I have found that can tell you if you have a live egg is run warm water into a bucket deep enough to float the egg. You want the water like bath warm but NOT HOT. Dead eggs will sink so you want water deep enough to submerg the egg. I take the questionable eggs on day 13-16 and float them in warm water. If the egg floats and wiggles around on its own you know there is a live chick inside. Its the only thing I have found as an alternative to candling dark eggs.

Thanks for the idea. Would I need to be concerned with ruining the bloom on the eggs if I use the water method?

 

[SJ]

Well my incubator is a sears roebuck from like 1970. I wouldnt dare blame you if something happened and nothing hatches. My first year I tried to incubate with the thing I set 48 eggs and only 1 hatched.

The next year I set 36 and hatched 12.

It was big improvment for me. So like you said "Don't give up" and I won't.

 

[Book]

Chicky is out!



No sign of life in any of the other eggs however. No pips
Sorry the image isn't wonderful, there are drops on the incubator window. No way to test humidity, could it be too high?

 

[SJ]

Would I need to be concerned with ruining the bloom on the eggs if I use the water method?

I'm not sure how this affects the bloom but I make sure to wash my bucket and hands before I float my eggs.

 

[SJ]

YAY!!! Congradulations Book.

 

[animaladdictions]

Happy for your one at least Book...I'm keeping my fingers crossed that more will surprise you! The one out is a real cutie patootie!!!

Thanks for the link threadgeek...for people that don't care too much about having a certain breed, this makes a very inexpensive way to get some chicks for sure! I'm learning stuff all the time on here...LOVE BYC!

 

[aprilschicks]

I HAVE A PIP I HAVE A PIP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

woke up and had one