North Carolina

[suburbanchickymama]

HT - I'm using the ReptiPro 5000. And just have the 1 - no back up. There's an overload of info on here including a lot of comments from the owner of ReptiPro and it is suggested that the door be opened once a day to get some oxygen in there - even during lockdown. They claim that it holds humidity so well it's ok to open the door. So maybe if I did the carton thing and just switched them super fast it might be ok - I dunno. And then while lots suggest staggering at least a week apart others suggested last night that studies show after day 14 you really don't need to turn the eggs anymore since the embryos are large enough to move around on their own. So if I set them only 4 days apart then at day 18 for lockdown on the 1st set the others would be 14 days and it might be ok to not turn them anymore???? And alsao that at that age for just a couple of days they could take the increase in humidity. What do you guys think about that? I'm so confused! There seem to be very strong, differing opinions on all this hatching stuff. OVERWHELMED!!!

But, I'm thinking I'll set my 1st set tomorrow and hope that the other gets here by noonish Thursday and I'll set them Thurs. night. If they don't get here, then I'll hold off until Sunday so they're 1 week apart - so I'll test 1 of the 2 theories anyway. I really should have verified w/ this seller BEFORE bidding I guess. Lesson learned, right?? I just couldn't resist all the beautiful colors of big, fluffy Cochins!!!!!

 

[BookWorm243]

Quote:

Looks goood

 

[HenThymes]

Quote:
My advise would be two have a seperate incubator to use has a hatcher especially if you are going to stagger. I know you hear all different methods of hatching, lockdown, yada yada yada. My philosophy is don't fix what ain't broke.

Incubate for 18 days rotating at least twice a day if not more. Go into lockdown on day 18 (I still prefer to lay them in their sides as if they were under their mother) and your humidity must be at least 65-70% (during lockdown) or more depending on what your hatching. Hence needing two incubators if you are going to stagger, humidity is lower during incubation and much higher during lockdown, just no way to do that in one incubator staggered.

Even if you have to go buy a cheap foam bator from Tractor Supply or Southern States, just get one with a fan or add the fan. It will be worth it in the long run when you have a better hatch in the end.

 

[BHep]

I agree with HT.... I have 2 homemades, I use as hatchers. Real easy to make! Right now I am actually incubating in them .

Waiting for my Dickey and just won 3 egg auctions from BYC.

 

[suburbanchickymama]

How did you make your hatchers? I had actually been thinking of how I could make one all day. Here's what I was thinking - I have a big ol' fish tank up in my attic. Not huge, but a good size. Could I use the ceramic heat emitting lamp I was planning on getting for the brooder (a little paranoid about fire safety as we had a house in the neighborhood burn down a few months ago) and a humidifier in there and make a plexiglass top for it with a bit of ventilation. I'm thinking the humidifier might actually work like a fan as well, but it's big enough I could add one if I needed to also. Does glass hold the temperature well enough? Any other suggestions for a homemade hatcher? I can get to work throwing something for a test run here soon. I am thinking that would be the smarter way to go. I'm with you, HT - I don't think that messing with a proven system is a great move my 1st go round! I'm just asking for heartbreak. Thanks for all the help, guys!!!!

 

[gavinandallison]

A good afternoon everyone!

Today we put our silkie chicks outside for good. A little cautious at first but they are now out side alone with Henry and Sheba to enjoy this beautiful spring day...

 

[suburbanchickymama]

Just found this and it's a lot like I was describing! https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=19548-homemade-incubator
Except using water bowls instead of a humidifier. Do you thing that using a humidifier is a good idea or over-complicating things? It seems to make sense to me! Maybe I'll try a test run and see what happens...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Gavin put my 2 orps that I got from HT outside yesterday and they are doing great. They actually think their dogs since they slept in the same room with them when in the house, caught them laying in front of the back door like the dogs do soaking up the sun

 

[BHep]

For your viewing pleasure...........Here are some pictures I tookk today with the help of my kids.

EE hen named..... Gold Beard

Serama mix.... Wolfman

ok.... Comet hen & Silkie rooster & 3 chicks hatched from this combo and no two alike.

Slash Silkie hatched New Years Day..

The darker Silkies were hatched New Years and I got the other two lighter colored ones from someone local. I am thinking 3 are roosters. I don't know what I did wrong, but if you click on the pic it will get bigger..

 

[Miss Lydia]

Very pretty Bhep, do all your roos get along or do you have them in separate runs?