November Hatch-A-Long (2014)

[AmyLynn2374]

I thought you were not supposed to open the bater if others have piped? I was worried I would hurt the other eggs if I got the chick out? This is my very first hatching so I have a lot to learn. Is it ok to leave him in the bater overnight ?

If you loose humidity by opening the bator while eggs are pipped, you run a risk of causeing 'shrink wrapped" chicks. Chicks can stay in the bator for up to 3 days if you so wish. The yolk they absorbed keeps their belly full. However, just like every other detail, different people do things differently. Different people have different theories on what they believe is the right way to do it. You have to find what's comfortable for you and what works best for you and the chicks. My bator holds humidity well. While I would be reluctant to continuously open it during a hatch, I have no problem opening it every few hours to scoop 3 or 4 chicks out. Some people will not open a bator till the hatch is completely done. I hatched out 13/16 eggs two weeks ago, no issues from me scooping out chicks or assisting with two hatches. The three that didn't hatch died in shell with no pipping.

 

[evemfoster]

I believe my 3 egg hatch is a bust. I had looked like one of them was developing as late as lockdown but its day 22 with no signs they will hatch.

I will wait a couple more days but I will be very shocked if one of the eggs hatches.

To recap: I'm the one with the tiny little bator.

It was just too small. It wouldn't hold the heat constant. I spent the whole 3 weeks adding or removing toweling trying to keep the temperatures in range. I did have a couple times where it got too high or too low but i don't know for how log it lasted.

The little thermometer that came with the bator was worthless so i used a kitchen thermometer that has 2 degree marks. I tried to buy a glass one at the drug store but was told that they can't get them anymore because they have mercury in them.

Interestingly enough the little bator holds moisture very well. The eggs air cells was the perfect size at lockdown.

I would have liked to have tried this bator in the spring when the household temps aren't fluctuating all over the place. But plan to get a small Styrofoam container in the spring and convert it into a bator using the little light from this one and a computer fan.

Or i could just break down and buy the last one at the feed store.

 

[AHenry]

I believe my 3 egg hatch is a bust. I had looked like one of them was developing as late as lockdown but its day 22 with no signs they will hatch. I will wait a couple more days but I will be very shocked if one of the eggs hatches. To recap: I'm the one with the tiny little bator. It was just too small. It wouldn't hold the heat constant. I spent the whole 3 weeks adding or removing toweling trying to keep the temperatures in range. I did have a couple times where it got too high or too low but i don't know for how log it lasted. The little thermometer that came with the bator was worthless so i used a kitchen thermometer that has 2 degree marks. I tried to buy a glass one at the drug store but was told that they can't get them anymore because they have mercury in them. Interestingly enough the little bator holds moisture very well. The eggs air cells was the perfect size at lockdown. I would have liked to have tried this bator in the spring when the household temps aren't fluctuating all over the place. But plan to get a small Styrofoam container in the spring and convert it into a bator using the little light from this one and a computer fan. Or i could just break down and buy the last one at the feed store.

Best of luck! As of right now, I have 5 hatched from 9. They were incubated with large temp fluctuations in an aquarium. They may surprise you! (Pics shortly)

 

[AHenry]

Nugget & Gizard now have 3 more siblings!
Chow, Mein, and our only blondie thus far, Dumplin! ♡♡♡♡♡

 

[Jennifer1983]

Awesome ! I love the names lol

 

[losttexan]

12 eggs set, 1 eaten, 2 early quitters. Six chicks have hatched:













Three remaining eggs, one external pipped, one cheeping, one quiet.

 

[AHenry]

12 eggs set, 1 eaten, 2 early quitters. Six chicks have hatched: Three remaining eggs, one external pipped, one cheeping, one quiet.

Adorable! I love the chickmunk one! Do you know the breeds?

 

[Jennifer1983]

Cute !!

 

[Jennifer1983]

so far we have 2 chicks and 1 more that has piped out of our 6 buff orpingtons

 

[losttexan]

Adorable! I love the chickmunk one! Do you know the breeds?

Moms:
Buff Orp
Barred Rock
EE
Black Minorca
BSL

Dad:
Dark EE