Nervous! 1st Time Lock-down Questions!

[O.C.Chick]

Thanks CrackingUp!

Yes, I'm less inclined to do it at night in the coop like the posts say....not as much worried about HER, but worried about the other 4 hens being mean. I'm thinking I can maybe bring her nest inside temporarily for now...She doesn't want the other girls next to her and it's so hot in the coop...She'd probably be happy away from the coop inside my house (which has always been her goal!) That would give me a chance to introduce them under controlled conditions. She's a bantam, so she won't crush them...it's just seeing how she will react and being able to remove her if she freaks out....

Anyone else have any experiences??/

Have a good night, all!

 

[Wynette]

good day, fellow hatchers!

Well, my hatch is complete. I got:

1 Black Copper Marans (German imported line...I was SOOOO fortunate to get the eggs, and the circumstances were unusual, so I'm not surprised I only got one. fingers crossed for a roo!)

4 Black Copper Marans of Fitz Farms line.

5 Jersey Giants (my own) - 4 blues, 1 black. No splashes! BUMMER!

3 olive eggers (my own).

WOOT!

Go, Chooky Tocks chickies!!!!

OC, I've never put a chick under a broody...I've never put EGGS under a broody!

 

[O.C.Chick]

Congratulations Wynette!!!

Keep sending those hatching vibes my way...Not a peep yet here

 

[O.C.Chick]

I just shined a flashlight into the window of the incubator and I saw a little "X" crack in the shell! It's not broken through yet, but the 4 points in the crack are popping outward a little bit.

Not sure how long it's been there, because this is the first time I shined the flashlight inside and you can't see it without the flashlight.

I don't hear or see any movement though....Is everything O.K.? How long does it take to start seeing more activity????

I'm SO nervous!!!! Anyone out there willing to hand-hold?????

 

[O.C.Chick]

I see a couple more cracks!!!!

 

[FenDruadin]

It can be hours and hours--even several days--between pip and zip. I have had one since 9 am this morning, and only the teeniest bit of progress expanding the pip. It may still be two days before it hatches--that's how all my three hatches were in my last batch. So I'm just sitting on my hands and trying not to obsess.

 

[O.C.Chick]

Thanks for the info CuriosityCat! So hard not to obsess, but your info does help!!! I'm putting my energy into something productive...Scooping Poop IS Theraputic!!!!

 

[thespinningcottage]

I'm following this thread with great interest! I'm on day 15 and the questions are starting to bubble up -- one thing I haven't been able to find the answer to is whether to leave the circulating fan running during the hatch - does it chill the chicks? Keep talking! Keep talking! Thanks!

 

[O.C.Chick]

I HEAR PEEPING!!!!!

LOUD PEEPING!!!!! HOW WILL I EVER SLEEP TONIGHT????

SpinningCottage: Welcome to this thread! Glad you're finding it as helpful as I am!!!

Regarding the circulating fan question...I think so...My understanding is that the fan just helps recirculate the warm air inside and keeps the temps even in the incubator so there are no hot or cold spots. I don't think you'd chill them if you keep your heat and humidity at the correct levels... But what do I know? I'm the other nubie here!

Tell the other seasoned hatchers on this thread what kind of incubator you have and I'm sure they'll answer tomorrow.

I want to open up the incubator SO bad that I can't stand it!!! BUT I WON"T!

 

[FenDruadin]

In most commercial bators, the fan is designed so that it circulates without actually blowing on the eggs/babies. So I would leave it on.

As for obsessing--this is my second hatch and trust me, the obsessing hasn't even BEGUN to wane. I have 6/12 eggs pipped this morning (they are duck eggs on Day 29--so a day past due), and I can't stop getting up to look at them. WHEN WILL THEY BE HERE???

But, I learned the hard way from my last hatch that the best thing I can do for them is to LEAVE THEM ALONE.

Peeping is awesome. Mine have been VERY quiet this time. A little cheeping, but not much. I don't know what it means that they're so quiet... but they're pipping, so I'll take that as a good sign.

So... how did you sleep? Any new action this morning?