My 1st batch of Silkies set 9/5 :-)

[Paganbird]

The only time I have ever had to patch chicken eggs is when they have been shipped. Normally, even shipped eggs won't be cracked, but there is always a chance.
I didn't think the green egg was going to make it - it was cracked pretty badly. It's just good to know that even if an egg is cracked - it still has a chance.

 

[JestersEye]

Quote:
Oooh, that's a good point... I intend to get some hatching eggs next spring, from a BYC member in VA who has the most beautiful Blue (Laced) Andalusians. If I can't manage the 4 1/2 hour drive to pick them up, he will have to ship them, so they could get cracked in transport. My brother lives about halfway there in MD, though, so I might be able to arrange to visit at an "opportune" time.

 

[justmeandtheflock]

Quote:
I noticed that stuff too and think it is a great idea. You can get it in the housewares section at Walmart or other home stores with the shelf paper. I have some around somewhere, I have small pieces cut that I use to open jars

 

[JestersEye]

My DH and I went out today and got the last of the supplies we need to finish the incubator and make an egg turner. We're using the smallest gauge pvc pipe to make a frame, and then running two pieces of heavy wire across the width, to hold the 18-egg carton in place. (The egg carton will sit over the wires, which will fit in between the egg cups along each third of the carton lengthwise.)

DH will be putting the light bulb, hygrometer, and egg turner in place tonight. Then he just needs to get a piece of glass cut to the right size at the hardware store tomorrow afternoon, and tape it in place with the blue duck tape we bought. I even found the "mysterious" blue shelf liner I needed to cover the hardware cloth with! We're almost in business!!!

<= Btw, This is my first time using smileys from another source... Finally figured it out!

 

[justmeandtheflock]

How exciting!!! What are you going to be hatching???? When are you setting???

 

[justmeandtheflock]

I finally goy out to get the hydrometer today and all I can say is GRRRRRRRR!!! It read a temp way off from my other digital thermometer. So I ran around the house diging out all the thermometers I could find to measure the temp in the bator. In the end I had 6 in there, LOL. I think it was running at 100.5 to 101 on average for the 2st 2 days and the new thermometer one is way off. I hope I ddin't screw it up too bad

 

[JestersEye]

Quote:
Well, I really NEED to hatch out some more Blue Andalusians since we're down to only one hen after we lost our splash hen, Pearl. Cobalt and Sapphire are a loving little couple, but he really deserves more hens. (Plus, they are the most awesome layers!)

I also plan to set some Blue Orpington eggs, assuming my girls cooperate and lay better than they have been lately. Actually, I just posted that I think I may be having a problem with an egg-stealing snake in their coop... so perhaps the egg production problems aren't really the fault of the hens, afterall.

Once I'm sure that I have this incubation thing down, I plan to get some eggs from a BYC member in VA, who has the most beautiful Blue (Laced) Andalusians! Those hatching plans will have to wait until the spring, though. I'm mostly just practicing now, since I can't wait to make some babies!