November Hatch-A-Long (2014)

[Fullofstitches]

Added 53 button quail to the incubator but down to 4 duck eggs and removed a few leghorn eggs I have toget a new count.

Hoping one you all can help me out. I remember reading somewhere not to turn the eggs on days 11-13 but now cannot remember where I read it (I think here) or why you don't turn.

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

Yes, on the Sally Sunshine page:
Sally Sunshine there's a note about not candling between days 11-14.

Candling disturbs the chick too much because it's deciding which way is up/out. So, turn, but don't candle those days.

 

[Fullofstitches]

Just got caught up again. Congrats on all the new chicks!

Junibutt - woot! My recently saved chick was named Sticky after he was cemented into his unzipped shell. I had to take him into the steamy bathroom and carefully remove shell - he had been in so long that the blood and yolk were fully absorbed, but he couldn't move! I had to give him an orthopedic shoe for a day and night, and I'm pretty sure he's near-blind in the one eye that was close to the opening. But, he's walking normal now, has figured out food and water (that was tricky, he kept calling me when he was thirsty... I finally just sat there and dunked his beak over and over for a good minute before he seemed to get a big enough drop and then it clicked).

I'll definitely intervene sooner next time! I thought he was about to emerge in the evening and left him to hatch. Next morning, he was in the same spot, but I had a new pip and had to wait the other chick out. He was stuck for 18 hours at the unzipped stage!

Sorry, I ramble... I'm very excited that he's improving!

My eggs should be shipped today! I will hopefully have them by Wed or Thurs, then set them Thurs or Friday. Anyone joining for a Thanksgiving hatch? Keep the kids busy watching the incubator while the turkey is cooking!

 

[Pyxis]

Yes, on the Sally Sunshine page:
Sally Sunshine there's a note about not candling between days 11-14.

Candling disturbs the chick too much because it's deciding which way is up/out. So, turn, but don't candle those days.

This I dunno about. I've never been careful of this (because I've never heard of it till now) and I've never had problems. Plus, I incubate vertically, so I don't know why me taking the egg out and holding it vertically and shining a light through it would disturb the chick being able to tell which way is up. Same if you incubate horizontally - if you look through the egg horizontally, how are you disturbing it any more than turning it would? Is there anything cited on there that shows it really does cause disturbance? I'm curious if there is because if there's a study or something that was done that proves this then I do want to stop candling during this time so I don't disturb my babies, lol.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

So many new fluff butts!!!! They are all so cute! Congrats on everyone of them. Junibutt, I'm so glad they are hatching for you! PickledPenny sorry to hear about the one who died. The rest are adorable though!

Tonight is lockdown for me, expected hatch on Thursday! This part is so bittersweet. I can't wait, yet I am terrified I'm going to have a drastic temp spike or something as equally terrible at the last moment causing their demise.... (Oh, now I see where my son gets his dramatic personality from.....hmmm lol) Anyhow, I've had 16 going strong now and hoping for a good outcome this time.

 

[losttexan]

This I dunno about. I've never been careful of this (because I've never heard of it till now) and I've never had problems. Plus, I incubate vertically, so I don't know why me taking the egg out and holding it vertically and shining a light through it would disturb the chick being able to tell which way is up. Same if you incubate horizontally - if you look through the egg horizontally, how are you disturbing it any more than turning it would? Is there anything cited on there that shows it really does cause disturbance? I'm curious if there is because if there's a study or something that was done that proves this then I do want to stop candling during this time so I don't disturb my babies, lol.

I agree. I have always candled during that time period and have not seen detrimental effects. Granted, I usually employ extra care not to excessively shake/spin the contents, but that's always good advice. As Pyxis points out, if turning the egg during this time is ok, why would candling bring about the chick apocolypse? Of course, turning doesn't move the chick along the long axis, but you shouldn't be moving the egg that hard at this stage in any event. I have seen broodies virtually playing tennis with eggs up until day 20, and everyone hatched just fine.

 

[Fullofstitches]

This I dunno about. I've never been careful of this (because I've never heard of it till now) and I've never had problems. Plus, I incubate vertically, so I don't know why me taking the egg out and holding it vertically and shining a light through it would disturb the chick being able to tell which way is up. Same if you incubate horizontally - if you look through the egg horizontally, how are you disturbing it any more than turning it would? Is there anything cited on there that shows it really does cause disturbance? I'm curious if there is because if there's a study or something that was done that proves this then I do want to stop candling during this time so I don't disturb my babies, lol.

I thought it odd, but it's from the Pas Reform Academy, page 28 (number 25 at the top of the actual page), a hatchery reference. Don't they usually hatch upright? Their advice is to check for clears on day 10, remove if there is greater than 10% because clears don't make their own heat, and to candle before transfer (so before lockdown for us), which they may do around day 14 or 15. Then, to be sure remaining eggs are touching so the chicks will be signaled to hatch closer to the same time by the clicking from other pips.

I think you have the idea of being careful not to disturb the contents. I just found it odd they use a light table and don't have to handle the individual eggs, yet suggest not to candle on those days.

 

[pickledpenny]

Yes, on the Sally Sunshine page:
Sally Sunshine there's a note about not candling between days 11-14.

Candling disturbs the chick too much because it's deciding which way is up/out. So, turn, but don't candle those days.

Guilty!

 

[Antiquity]

I think I may have killed my first batch. Temperatures were quite high this morning. I candled a few of the second batch and saw some movement, so let's hope the ones in lockdown survived. I think I'm going to give up on hatching until I can afford to put together something with a thermostat. I wish they'd just hatch already so I don't have to worry anymore.

 

[pickledpenny]

So many new fluff butts!!!! They are all so cute! Congrats on everyone of them. Junibutt, I'm so glad they are hatching for you! PickledPenny sorry to hear about the one who died. The rest are adorable though! Tonight is lockdown for me, expected hatch on Thursday! This part is so bittersweet. I can't wait, yet I am terrified I'm going to have a drastic temp spike or something as equally terrible at the last moment causing their demise.... (Oh, now I see where my son gets his dramatic personality from.....hmmm lol) Anyhow, I've had 16 going strong now and hoping for a good outcome this time.

Hoping for strong, happy peeps with no drama!

While mine are now all out, I'm gonna stick on the thread to watch the new eggs Have a cute picture of my sweetie, though, s/he likes to sleep in my lap, I sense a pet coming on: Chicken math reared it's head. I left for work with eight babies. I came back to fifteen. My partner had visited a farm with a friend...but he is a soft touch for fluffy things. Three of them will be going to another home in six weeks when their new owner can keep them

Looks like the perfect lap chicken.

I have 6 in eggs right now under our Buff Orp that are due in 2 days!!! Nov 4th is day 21! So excited I can't even stand it!!! Going to have 4 EE/Buff Orp crosses. My EE is the sweetest thing and has so much personality! She follows me around like a dog and even comes when I call her name so I just had to get some babies out of her! I'll post pics in the next few days. Fingers crossed for a healthy hatch!!

Can't wait to see pics!

It seems like I am having a happy ending after all. I have 2 chicks so far. 1 CL X RIR and 1 CL X Red Star. The CL x CL pipped 3 hrs ago as well, so I am hopeful on that too. So if I can get 3 of the 5 good ones that went to lockdown and especially after yesterday's disaster, I am feeling very lucky and happy. Thank you everyone for giving me support after yesterday's disaster. Here are some pics. Please comment on the gender if you may. First two are from CL x RIR- I think its a girl because of no head spot and distinct chipmunk pattern from Legbars but could be wrong. Next two are from CL X Red Star. I am confused about this chicks gender Do distinct chipmunk pattern calls for a boy, but then there is no headspot (if Legbar barring trait is carried) Feather pattern tells me its a girl but I could be wrong. Head is too big for a girl. Its a big fat girl if she is. Whopping 2 oz (56 grams) Here is a nice pic of both of the together:

They're soooo cute!

This is the closest I've come to having one explode and it was close enough.....lol It didn't even really smell that bad until I started dissecting it.

Gross! Hoping I candle enough to catch them before that point. I don't do well with smells!

 

[pickledpenny]

I think I may have killed my first batch. Temperatures were quite high this morning. I candled a few of the second batch and saw some movement, so let's hope the ones in lockdown survived. I think I'm going to give up on hatching until I can afford to put together something with a thermostat. I wish they'd just hatch already so I don't have to worry anymore.

Oh no! Crossing my fingers they're ok! I may have an extra thermostat if it would be of use?