November/December "Hatch-a-Long"

[Heidisgran]

I'm so excited!!!! Going to meet Tara and take 2 of her black silkie babies off her hands next week!

Question for more experienced hatchers than me tho...Baby Booger (my lavender singleton turkey poult) has been making an odd clicking noise when being picked up or at rest. It almost sounds like he/she has a cold? Behaving normally, growing, and eating well, but he "hisses" a lot if startled and then makes that clicking noise when u pick him up. Any thoughts on what it might be? No drafts, the brooder is plenty warm, and no exposure to other birds. So what could it be?

I would defer to Deanna and Max!!
but wanted to suggest that the brooder should have good ventilation....look up "brooder pneumonia"

 

[MrsJenSmith2007]

@MrsJenSmith2007 , Does your bulb turn off? (thermostat?) I just read this for homemade incubators, maybe it will help, "try putting bottles in there to act as heat sinks and hold the heat to slow the fluctuations of the on and off of the lights." this guy has other tips over in this thread, https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/841527/diy-incubator-questions

I don't have a thermostat. I do HAVE one, but it isn't hooked up yet. Have to get hubby to do it. A bit much for me. Maybe I'm not as handy as I thought?? lol I will check out that thread. THANKS!

 

[MrsJenSmith2007]

yes Jen you could check it with store eggs...there won't be humidity....with a dry hatch...until there are eggs in the incubator!! since you've been having problems with your humidity running way too high I'm really not concerned about your humidity unless it goes too low for too long....the first weeks it's less critical with the dry hatch the last week you want to make sure you keep it pretty steady with in the ranges I've suggested....
I've outlined the method I use and even with shipped eggs unless they've been badly mishandled they hatch....we live in different climates BUT what you've tried hasn't worked for you....If I'm wrong and they don't hatch again I'll gladly send you more...we will get it correct

I trust you! I'm going to give it a try! I'm more than wiling to try something from someone who has had success! Also think dry hatch mat be good fit because it seems slightly lower maintenance. Since I work and leave hubby in charge a lot, low maintenance is important! I am anxiously awaiting the mail man today!! LOL

 

[MrsJenSmith2007]

I wouldn't put in the eggs until you get the humidity figured out, I lost too many eggs that way. But you could put in store eggs to see how that would change the humidity. Let them get to room temp first. Cover all of your holes, wait a few hours, check your humidity. I hang a wash cloth oder the side. More surface area, higher humidity. Once is seems to be stable, uncover a hole on either side of the incubator near the eggs. (Where are your holes?) That way you know you have air flow over the eggs but smaller loss of humidity.

Can you record the noise and post it? I can tell you if Max has made it.

I will try it with, well not STORE eggs since I don't own those...lol...but with some of my refridgerated eggs. Just to see what happens. My holes are 2 in the top and 1 on each side near the bottom where the eggs are. Hang a WET wash cloth INSIDE?

 

[new breeder]

i have 3-4 more days t hatch chicks for first time!!!

 

[MrsJenSmith2007]

I had a few room temp eggs that I was getting ready to toss so I put them in the bator to check how it changes the humidity. Unfortunately, while the humidity hasn't changed yet (only been 25 minutes) the temp has dropped to 95!

Glad I tested this first with test eggs before the good ones. I'm going to let them sit while I take my sick little one to the doctor and see what happens. Hopefully temp and humidity will both climb while I'm gone. If not, I MAY have to put the 60 watt back in and install a dimmer...ASAP. May need some guidance @DeannaA . I know you said you have done this before. I really admire everything that you do YOURSELF! Seems like you are quite handy!

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

Yay!!! Thank you!! I'm so excited!!! Can't wait to see what hatches! Just out of curiosity, what kind of chickens do you have?? I think I remember there are a LOT of different kids in your flock. LOL I really don't care what they are! I love the mystery of crossbreads! So much fun! Just wondering so I will be able to make educated guesses. LOL The bator has been running steady at 102 degrees ever since I swapped out to the 40 watt bulb. It shocked me to see what a HUGE difference in temp humidity can make! Trying the dry hatch means temp runs WAY higher with the same bulb! Like, over 120 degrees with the bulb I ran last time! Just working on the humidity and I will be good to go. My daughter is sick, so I will be home all day tomorrow in case the eggs come. That way they can get in the house and let them rest the 12 hours. We, like most the country, are expecting NASTY weather starting tomorrow, so I'm glad they won't end up sitting outside all day. Hope they arrive tomorrow or the next day so they don't have to wait at the post office on Sunday. Can't wait!!!

With all your heartache, try not to set yourself up for more. Shipped eggs are a huge gamble even under perfect conditions in the incubator. Good luck!

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

@ Tara

I can hardly wait! It's going to make next week fly by!

@ Deanna - I will try to record and post tomorrow. Been having trouble with recording for whatever reason. It sounds like a click at the end of the breath and only happens on exertion or when he's freaked out. Doesn't sound like a verbalization.

Potentially sounds like pneumonia-type gurgle/rattle from your description.

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

i have 3-4 more days t hatch chicks for first time!!!

We have all been there, very exciting! Just be patient and try not to interfere during lockdown...very important!

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

I had a few room temp eggs that I was getting ready to toss so I put them in the bator to check how it changes the humidity. Unfortunately, while the humidity hasn't changed yet (only been 25 minutes) the temp has dropped to 95!

Glad I tested this first with test eggs before the good ones. I'm going to let them sit while I take my sick little one to the doctor and see what happens. Hopefully temp and humidity will both climb while I'm gone. If not, I MAY have to put the 60 watt back in and install a dimmer...ASAP. May need some guidance @DeannaA . I know you said you have done this before. I really admire everything that you do YOURSELF! Seems like you are quite handy!

That's OK, that's what is supposed to happen. You have to just leave it to let everything come to homeostasis in there. In a power outage for instance depending on outside the incubator conditions, it can take 24 hours for the eggs to cool off. I don't fiddle with the temp or humidity for at least 12 hours when I first put the eggs in, THEN make adjustments if necessary.

The first 7 days of incubation on shipped eggs are critical. It is best to not handle them at all during this time and be VERY careful when candling at 7 days. This is from my hatching mentor.