My first incubating experience

[TheCrazyChick]

I have to say I am kinda obsessed. Lol I have already picked out more eggs for the next round. I go tomorrow to pick up some silkies and showgirls and we'd I'm off to get frizzled ee. My husband keeps telling me there is a limit but won't tell me what it is. Lol so ill just keep going until he finally makes me stop. Oh, forgot to mention the red blue lace wyandottes,turkens, red leghorn I am waiting to hear about. Oh how I am going to be killed. Might as well move in with the chickens.

I don't feel so bad now. I haven't even received my first order of ebay eggs and I am already browsing for auctions that end 1 month from now. Plus trying to figure out how to build a second coop as quickly as possible. In 20 degree weather.

I suppose the best (and worst) thing that could happen would be to get a 0% hatch rate the first time. I'll either give up immediately or never give up til I reach 100%!

 

[mlaff]

Lol. My eggs will be on day 8 this afternoon. I was lucky enough to find a breeder that has the silkies and showgirls I've been dying for. I had bought 2 ee for my youngest daughter, but my oldest daughter's chicken killed them. But the lady I got them from has frizzled ee hatching tomorrow and I'm picking them up wed, when she can tell which will be frizzled and not just carry the gene. As for the other 3 breeds, I came across them on Craig's list and I'm waiting to hear back from them. Lol. I guess it is all dumb luck or my obsession with looking. I love the chickens that are different looking. I am also picking up a silkie polish mix. Hmm, guess my husband needs to get started on a bigger coop. Lol

 

[mlaff]

Well this afternoon is day 21. I have one egg moving but no pip yet. Saw a couple moving a couple of days ago but then stopped. We had a temp spike 4 days ago. My kids decided to look while I wasn't around and hit the knob. I have already ordered new eggs to start after these. This time I'm putting them where only I can see them. Maybe an egg turner too.

 

[salahzantout]

very nice, i am also hatching some eggs in a homemade incubator, today would be their third day and i hope thinkgs go right .

goodluck

 

[mlaff]

Thank you. I keep checking on them like a hawk to see if any of them pip. Nothing yet but I swear I saw a couple more move. I've decided I have to keep myself busy today so I'm not on top of them 24/7. Lol it is very nerve wrecking wondering if they are alive. My silkie eggs haven't moved at all since 2 days before lock down.

 

[salahzantout]

so today is my chicks 5th day and i can see the veins very excited I hope everything will continue straight.

 

[mlaff]

That's great. Candeling is always the best part. Mine are on day 23 and nothing. I'm wondering when I should give up. The eggs were moving but have stopped. I worry about taking them out because I don't want to kill a chicken.

 

[Kilsharion]

That's great. Candeling is always the best part. Mine are on day 23 and nothing. I'm wondering when I should give up. The eggs were moving but have stopped. I worry about taking them out because I don't want to kill a chicken.

Some can go as far as day 26-27. Just be sure to keep an eye on them. You won't kill them by taking them out of the incubator as long as it is not for an extended period of time. You could try giving them the water test at this point.

Bowl of water at least 4" deeper than the size of the egg. Temp in the water = temp of the incubator. Leave about 2" of unfilled bowl. Put egg in bowl (air cell UP). Wait for it....you should start seeing it do the egg dance if there is a live chick in there.

 

[TheCrazyChick]

so today is my chicks 5th day and i can see the veins very excited I hope everything will continue straight.

It really is exiting the first time you see the veining.

 

[mlaff]

Some can go as far as day 26-27.  Just be sure to keep an eye on them.  You won't kill them by taking them out of the incubator as long as it is not for an extended period of time.  You could try giving them the water test at this point.

Bowl of water at least 4" deeper than the size of the egg.  Temp in the water = temp of the incubator.  Leave about 2" of unfilled bowl.  Put egg in bowl (air cell UP).  Wait for it....you should start seeing it do the egg dance if there is a live chick in there.

I did this and candled them quickly. All of my larger eggs didn't have any air cells. The three silkie eggs still had their air cells. Only one of them went around in a circle. My problem is I'm so new I'm scared I missed something and they are still alive. I kept all of them in there just in case I was wrong. None of them smell and there are no blood rings. No pipping that I saw. Hopefully I am just going crazy. I swear I saw one of the silkie eggs moving but it could have been just me.