MAY HATCH-A-LONG come join in

[chickenmeadow]

Quote:
I'm just now getting a chance to look thru all of the posts for this May HATCH-A-LONG, now that April is over.

Is a "thermal-air" forced/fan air? If so, then I would do temps around 99.5 F or 101 F for no fan.

When I turn eggs, there is an "X" (or date) on one side near the top & an "0" on the other side near the top (top being the wide end). So, I turn all the way around to the opposite side; this would be the same as lifting one side & then the other. I have not heard of lifting 4 sides, but maybe someone else has & will comment.

Starting incubation at lower temps will probably not be a problem for those few hours. When you candle at Day 7 or 10, that will answer your question & be a relief. I usually get my incubator going a couple of days ahead of time to stablize the temp & humidity. When the eggs go in, the temp & humidity have to be watched for about 1/2 a day or so; I also watch closely when I do "lockdown" when the humidity is raised. Temps & humidity affect each other.

Happy hatching!

 

[chickenmeadow]

Quote:
Good luck with that! My fingers are crossed for your mother hen & chick.

 

[snowhorse]

Oh no I read thru one of those links and read that you should only mark them with a lead pencil. I marked mine with a permanent marker! Is that going to be a big problem? This is my first hatch ever...

 

[chickenmeadow]

Quote:
I try to use the safest products possible with the hatches. The egg shell breathes & absorbs & it could be possible to get fumes or absorb something from the ink; most recommend a pencil. But, have seen others mark their eggs with permanent markers & still hatch out. So, don't worry! Maybe consider using the pencil next time, for caution.

That's a beautiful avatar picture, polish right?

 

[Illia]

Quote:
I try to use the safest products possible with the hatches. The egg shell breathes & absorbs & it could be possible to get fumes or absorb something from the ink; most recommend a pencil. But, have seen others mark their eggs with permanent markers & still hatch out. So, don't worry! Maybe consider using the pencil next time, for caution.

That's a beautiful avatar picture, polish right?

Looks like an Apenzeller Spitzhauben to me.

Well, I'm on day 15 now. . . Nothing amazing going on, I just can't wait til lockdown!! I have 8 eggs in there, ready to hatch.

 

[snowhorse]

Quote:
I try to use the safest products possible with the hatches. The egg shell breathes & absorbs & it could be possible to get fumes or absorb something from the ink; most recommend a pencil. But, have seen others mark their eggs with permanent markers & still hatch out. So, don't worry! Maybe consider using the pencil next time, for caution.

That's a beautiful avatar picture, polish right?

They came shipped marked with marker so I figured it was okay

Will use pencil on the rest of the eggs.

My avatar is an Appenzeller Spitzhauben - love her great little hen. If I can find some eggs I will be trying to hatch some

So I have 29 eggs in the bator.

I have heard ducks are are nasty/ gooey compared to the chicks eggs.

8 Muscovy (started with 12) - and 21 chick eggs

Muscovy are due May 23
Chicks are due May 20-21

So I have them staggered by a couple of days all in the same bator.

What my plan is to take all of the eggs out of the turner on day 18 of the chick eggs including the ducks, and place them all in cardboard egg cartons. And leave them on lock down.

My question is: When the chicks hatch and the ducks still have a couple days to hatch, is it okay to take the chicks out once they are dry because technically at that point it should be lockdown for the muscovy eggs. I am a little concerned I didn't plan this quite right.

The 8 Muscovy eggs are all developing ( 4 non developing out of 12, left 3 in just in case) candled last night.

I have not candled any chicken eggs and am not planning on it until about day 12. Plus I have BCM and olive eggs that I think I may not be able to see thru anyways so I am not sure it is worth candling.

I am thinking I will leave the bator alone until day 18- Candle the 4 muscovy duds to make sure they are really duds and take them out. Then leave them on lockdown and see what happens....

 

[chickintexas]

Well, I candled some eggs again last night and it appears that I've got some positive signs.

I'm not a professional egg candler, by no means, but most of the eggs didn't have that clear look to them. I could see a very minute amount of a reddish area in the eggs. If I had a stronger light, I'd probably see more! The one that I was thinking may have been a blood ring (it was actually more of a very short red line with a distinct darker spot on one end of the line) looks sort of like it has more veining going on. I promise not to candle them again until tomorrow night which will make it day 7 for the 1st batch and day 5 for the second batch. I'll try to refrain from candling the 3rd batch until at least Wednesday. Friday at the latest.

 

[jlgoinggreen]

You just reminded me today is day 17 for one of my batches so tomorrow will be day 18 = LOCKDOWN.

I will be candling tonight

and then LOCKDOWN tomorrow morning.

Oh WOW! I can't wait to have babies. I am so excited!

This is also my first batch. First batch = drama as mother hen (me) looks lovingly over her eggs all day today.

 

[jodiv]

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Thank you! Am very happy with them!

UPDATE: My blu orps are due tommorrow, the 3rd. I happen to put my ear to the incubator to see if I could hear anything, and wouldnt you know, I heard faint peeps coming from those eggs. I am so excited I could just ........well you get the idea! LOL

 

[tazcat70]

So excited for you Jennifer! I remember my first hatch. I had to share the window with my kids and husband, when all I really wanted to do was push em all out of the way.

Have fun!

Day 1 for me, can't wait for day 18.