Natural Nest incubation(my attempt)

[Beekissed]

I just had a thought, if you candled the eggs and some were a little slow could you not move them into the middle of the nest for a day and set them there just turning side to side? That way they'd get warmer than the outer eggs and develop more evenly? This is akin to what a broody hen does.

I was thinking the same thing...you should feel the difference between the heat at the center of the nest compared to the heat at the perimeter...those eggs feel just slightly warmed. The eggs at the center are heated not only by the heating pad above but by their fellow nestmates, making the very center eggs the hottest in the clutch.

 

[BlessedCountry6]

Thanks for the wonderful update!! That sounds like a reasonable idea to do what the hens would do. Hope those baby chicks keep growing healthy!!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

OMG finally found my source of hatching eggs for the year and for my version of this. If her prices haven't changed I should get local, unshipped purebred B&C marans for $15-$20/dozen. Relief at last! XD I was having SO much trouble finding half way decent and inexpensive local hatching eggs....!

Edit; And it fell through. Turns out the lady raised her prices from $15/doz to $48... Why is $4 and egg PLUS shipping or gas somehow the norm? :|

 

[foxvalleyfarm]

I just had a thought, if you candled the eggs and some were a little slow could you not move them into the middle of the nest for a day and set them there just turning side to side? That way they'd get warmer than the outer eggs and develop more evenly? This is akin to what a broody hen does.

True. When I candle tonight I'll do that. I just randomly roll them around

 

[Lacy Blues]

OMG finally found my source of hatching eggs for the year and for my version of this. If her prices haven't changed I should get local, unshipped purebred B&C marans for $15-$20/dozen. Relief at last! XD I was having SO much trouble finding half way decent and inexpensive local hatching eggs....!

Edit; And it fell through. Turns out the lady raised her prices from $15/doz to $48... Why is $4 and egg PLUS shipping or gas somehow the norm? :|

Maybe you could just get a half dozen. That would be $24 plus whatever it costs you to go get them. Perhaps ask her what she would charge for a few chicks that she hatches out?

 

[foxvalleyfarm]

So when I get home a may take some pictures. Anyone want to see my set up and candled eggs?

 

[Beekissed]

So when I get home a may take some pictures. Anyone want to see my set up and candled eggs?

Yep!!!

 

[foxvalleyfarm]

Yep!!! 

Ok. If I have power at home. Work has no power...

 

[Lacy Blues]

Me too!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Maybe you could just get a half dozen.  That would be $24 plus whatever it costs you to go get them. Perhaps ask her what she would charge for a few chicks that she hatches out?

Lacy, for $48 I know a well rated guy on here that will ship 2 dozen to my door. I could pay $25 for half dozen eggs or $50 for 4Xs that number and never have to spend a penny on gas (which would be about $10). And chicks are $10 each. But around here if you have hatching eggs, apparently they are $4/each.