May Hatch-a-Long!

[brandy00]

Today is lockdown for the eggs in my LG. I originally set 40 total. 22 polish from a BYC auction and the rest from my mixed free range flock. 36 made it to lockdown including all 22 of the auction eggs!! The temp has stabilized back out and I've got the humidity up to 60%. I would really like to get it closer to 65-67% but I don't want to cause it to shoot up too high. I really hope I get a good hatch. Fingers crossed!

 

[missnu01]

Wet paper towels are great to up humidity. I also make little rings of wet paper towel and put them around the vent holes that way it is sucking in moist air

 

[brandy00]

Wet paper towels are great to up humidity. I also make little rings of wet paper towel and put them around the vent holes that way it is sucking in moist air

That's a great idea! I've got some paper towels inside already. I like to use them and put them under the vent so I can remoisten them with a dropper if needed. I never thought of putting them around the vent holes. I'm gonna give it a try. Thanks!

 

[czoellner]

Finally a good hatch!!!! Last weekend was a total disaster. This one one the other hand is great! So far I have 28 babies, 6 LARGE pips and 10 eggs sitting there taunting me! But I am sooooo happy with this hat h. This is what makes it so worthwhile.

 

[chickenlisa]

well, day 23 here. 1 out of 18 Silver Birchens pipped, but died before it zipped. Yellowish liquid oozed out of the pipped hole and as soon as I saw that I grabbed the egg to help, but was too late. That chick died. The 2 other eggs that looked like chicks were in them didn't pip (yet) so I will attempt to open a little hole in the smaller end to see what's going on in there. I do know the air sacs are big saddle shaped and the other 15 eggs were like that too and only 1 had a tiny little started embryo in it that didn't continue to grow. I am so done trying for this year...I hope to find already hatched SB Maran chicks.

yep- nothing. 1 half developed and 1 fully developed but didn't pip. Weird and worst hatch I ever had. Spent $80 for 1 chick who hatched at Easter. So bummed.

 

[czoellner]

Thanks for all your incubator cleaning tips! Yes, I know paper is bad for their feet, but I put it down to try to introduce it to it's feed before I put shavings in. This one has quite the personality! The parents!

Use Kitchen liner. It's great. I buy some every time I go to the dollar store. I know it will be used. Farmer, do you use this for lock down? I do, and love the easy clean up, keeps too much stuff from getting in the bottom while hatching. Here's a photo..from the past, these have hatched. I have some mixes going into lock down tomorrow, plus, some that may hatch tomorrow..only the two little ones due to hatch on Mon..but it seems my little eggs hatch early.

Yes! I love that shelf paper! So cushiony and good gripping for their little feet! My first hatch I didn't use it and felt awful seeing those little babies banging their heads on wires trying to get out of their shells. Broke my heart, I quickly ran to the store for this stuff. Can't hatch without it!

 

[glenann]

well, day 23 here. 1 out of 18 Silver Birchens pipped, but died before it zipped. Yellowish liquid oozed out of the pipped hole and as soon as I saw that I grabbed the egg to help, but was too late. That chick died. The 2 other eggs that looked like chicks were in them didn't pip (yet) so I will attempt to open a little hole in the smaller end to see what's going on in there. I do know the air sacs are big saddle shaped and the other 15 eggs were like that too and only 1 had a tiny little started embryo in it that didn't continue to grow. I am so done trying for this year...I hope to find already hatched SB Maran chicks.

yep- nothing. 1 half developed and 1 fully developed but didn't pip. Weird and worst hatch I ever had. Spent $80 for 1 chick who hatched at Easter. So bummed.

Ugghhh! I am so sorry you had such a terrible outcome

 

[chickenlisa]

Thank you Glenann! I'm working on trying to find some chicks...

 

[missnu01]

Finally a good hatch!!!! Last weekend was a total disaster. This one one the other hand is great! So far I have 28 babies, 6 LARGE pips and 10 eggs sitting there taunting me! But I am sooooo happy with this hat h. This is what makes it so worthwhile.

congratulations. A bad hatch would seriously bum me out. The first time I tried to hatch my own eggs none were fertile. So I gathered another batch...again none fertile. And I got really discouraged. Turns out my favorite old rooster just wasn't getting the job done. But I bought some eggs and had a prefect hatch. So don't be discouraged

 

[5 Acre Rooster]

An update for my May Hatches. Rouens are still 8/8 lockdown will be the 21st.

Chicken eggs due the 30th are progressing. May have a couple clears and quitters but will candle again at lockdown and pull then. RIR eggs are extra dark compared to what I have been used to last few years so I want to give everything a good chance before pulling.