November/December "Hatch-a-Long"

[Heidisgran]

I think my sister is off by a day or something. No sign of hatching so far today.

hmm

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

I think my sister is off by a day or something. No sign of hatching so far today.

I have wondered about the days thing. Remember, I'm just in the middle of my first-ever incubation. When they say lockdown at Day 18, does that mean (hour-wise) as Day 17 turns to Day 18 or at the end of Day 18?

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

silkie baby #2 is here!

Congratulations! Where in OR?

 

[Farmer Viola]

Congratulations! Where in OR?

Banks

I have wondered about the days thing. Remember, I'm just in the middle of my first-ever incubation. When they say lockdown at Day 18, does that mean (hour-wise) as Day 17 turns to Day 18 or at the end of Day 18?

It would be at the time you put them in the incubator. I put mine in about 6pm, so the 21st day will commence on day 20 at 6pm if that makes sense?

 

[seatmon]

This is my first post and my first hatch. I have a Farm Innovators with egg turner. I set 20 eggs I got on eBay, shipped from ME to NC. They are a variety of breeds. I have 3 thermometers that read 99-101 and humidity is between 40-50% Candled on day 7 not sure what I was looking at but I did see a difference in some. Candled again day 12 and definitely see some are no good. I have 8 that I believe will hatch, the others I cracked open and yolk was broken in most, I assume shipping shook them up and 2 of them were quitters. I have 4 silver Sussex, 2 Barnevelder, 1 Icelandic, 1 Gold laced Brahma. Nov 17 is 21 days. I'm anxious to see them hatch.

 

[keepmumsane]

This is my first post and my first hatch. I have a Farm Innovators with egg turner. I set 20 eggs I got on eBay, shipped from ME to NC. They are a variety of breeds. I have 3 thermometers that read 99-101 and humidity is between 40-50% Candled on day 7 not sure what I was looking at but I did see a difference in some. Candled again day 12 and definitely see some are no good. I have 8 that I believe will hatch, the others I cracked open and yolk was broken in most, I assume shipping shook them up and 2 of them were quitters. I have 4 silver Sussex, 2 Barnevelder, 1 Icelandic, 1 Gold laced Brahma. Nov 17 is 21 days. I'm anxious to see them hatch.

hi!
i'm midway ( hopefully ) through my first hatch, expecting 12 out of the 24..got 8 so far ..I'm hatching quail. I have no fingernails left and its totally brilliant. Good luck!

 

[chickydee64]

This is my first post and my first hatch. I have a Farm Innovators with egg turner. I set 20 eggs I got on eBay, shipped from ME to NC. They are a variety of breeds. I have 3 thermometers that read 99-101 and humidity is between 40-50% Candled on day 7 not sure what I was looking at but I did see a difference in some. Candled again day 12 and definitely see some are no good. I have 8 that I believe will hatch, the others I cracked open and yolk was broken in most, I assume shipping shook them up and 2 of them were quitters. I have 4 silver Sussex, 2 Barnevelder, 1 Icelandic, 1 Gold laced Brahma. Nov 17 is 21 days. I'm anxious to see them hatch.

 

[KuroKitsune]

from my post about putting in 9 eggs i have jumped to i believe 23 button eggs in the bator...put more of the new girls in as i know some arent going to to be fertile(candled a few of the oldest(hatch day the 21st) and while a few had nice little spider web like veins going on a few were clear as well) and then put more in as my original hen(momma to the girls that just started laying) has decided to start laying again so three of her eggs are in there...i'm going to be over run with button quail soon i think

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

Banks

Aloha from Sheridan area! What type of birds do you keep?

 

[Farmer Viola]

Aloha from Sheridan area! What type of birds do you keep?

Hello Neighbor!! My flock is in the process of being re-booted. I have primarily BLR Wyandottes and Welsummers in the incubator, with 4 FBC Marans and 4 silkies in the mix. Partial broody, partial incubator.

I started my first flock about a year ago, picked up several breeds from a local farmer which I figured was a good enough source. How naive I was. I have been through the ringer with hatchery stock...never again.

I didn't know at the time that hatchery birds were lesser quality with poor genes prone to health issue. They also weren't handled as chicks, so they're all extremely spacky and untrusting of humans. I have a couple mean hens who I have nursed through various health issues, so you'd think we'd have bonded by now, but no; they're forever ruined. It has been a real challenge, and at some points I didn't even want to continue raising chickens because the losses can be so devastating. I lost all my barred rocks. I still have one buff Orpington, an americana, and mostly RIRs (which are actually production reds, not *real* RIRs) & one australorp left.

Now, I know more about how important it is to find a good source. And I also wanted to make sure they were treated right from the very start; I got my last hens at 12 weeks old, so they were already pretty set by that point. I'm still learning, though, and even though I found a really good source this time, 15/15 eggs and $80 went down the drain when they didn't develop. I'm not sure if they were infertile or if it was because they were shipped...

but now I'm looking for local sources of eggs, instead of shipping. I have my eye on a couple local Faverolles breeders for next spring. Also, I found a good breeder of lavender English Orps!. The next set will depend on how many girls I get out of this hatch.

My remaining flock is still laying, partially. Partially in moult. They will become soup eventually, but I'm not sure exactly when. I'd like to keep getting eggs, but to avoid introductions, I might just remove them from the equation sooner!

..wow sorry that was a novel. Tell me about YOUR birds!