October Hatch-A-Long 2017

[Harmony Fowl]

I'm also planning on a heating plate for this hatch. I've used lamps until now. I don't like the danger factor for us or the chicks and trying to regulate the temp with a lamp is an unending source of frustration for me. I'm also planning to brood in the coop after the first 48-72 hours.

 

[theuglychick]

I move mine into a brooder in my coop on day 3 as well. This is my 5-6th hatch and so far no issues. Let us know how they do out there.

I'm also planning on a heating plate for this hatch. I've used lamps until now. I don't like the danger factor for us or the chicks and trying to regulate the temp with a lamp is an unending source of frustration for me. I'm also planning to brood in the coop after the first 48-72 hours.

 

[misslady]

Did my first candle on my AC eggs today! (I can't be the only one who gets super excited for candling days... right?! )

One candled clear so I pulled that one, and another looks a little iffy, but no blood ring was present yet. Made note of that one and will check it again tomorrow. So definitely 13 (fingers crossed for 14) out of 15 are developing nicely! Really pleased with that considering they're shipped eggs and I'm having to hand turn since my turning rails are nowhere to be found.

Sorry for the bad quality photo, the only "helper" I had at home at the time was the toddler so I had to hold the egg and candler in one hand and my camera in the other. But it's something! Can't wait to hear about everyone else's progress!

 

[theuglychick]

Your tot did a mighty fine job helping with the pics!

Congrats on the development!

I get excited about candling days, too! Next Friday will be my first candle at day7.

It looks like im going to be staggering a hatch. My friend lost all of her birds last night to a raccoon or possum. She has a few eggs from them so I'm going to stick hers in there too.

Any tips from anyone with experience with a staggered hatch?

 

[misslady]

Your tot did a mighty fine job helping with the pics!

Congrats on the development!

I get excited about candling days, too! Next Friday will be my first candle at day7.

It looks like im going to be staggering a hatch. My friend lost all of her birds last night to a raccoon or possum. She has a few eggs from them so I'm going to stick hers in there too.

Any tips from anyone with experience with a staggered hatch?

Thanks! Love to see all the progress, it never ceases to amaze me how fast they grow.

So sorry to hear about your friend's birds! I wish I had some experience on staggered hatching to share, but unfortunately I don't. I've only heard it's easiest to set up a second incubator to use as a hatcher when your first set of eggs goes into lockdown. That's only helpful if there are two incubators on hand though. I imagine if you are really mindful of your humidity and air cell size, and the eggs are set far enough apart that the first set's hatch would be complete before the second set went into lockdown it could work though. Might just want to quick sterilize and clean out the hatch debris inbetween.

Hopefully someone with better advice and more personal experience chimes in!

 

[theuglychick]

Thanks for the encouragement and ideas!

I think the trickiest part is going to be the lockdown of the first batch because it's going to be a full house in there.

When I remove the turner I'll just put the second batch in a small basket inside the incubator to keep them separate and from getting jostled. Otherwise the hatched chicks basically play soccer with the unhatched eggs.

I'll quickly turn the second batch 2-3 times a day then once first hatch is done and in the brooder, I'll return them to the turner.

I DO have a second incubator but the heater went out in it. I might see if I can fix it for then. That'll be a LOT easier. GREAT suggestion, never would have thought of that. Duh, me!

Either way I'm determined to make it happen!

 

[theuglychick]

Ok we are all set to stagger! My blue are eggs set tonhatch 10/6 and friends brown eggs set to hatch 10/10

 

[misslady]

Thanks for the encouragement and ideas!

I think the trickiest part is going to be the lockdown of the first batch because it's going to be a full house in there.

When I remove the turner I'll just put the second batch in a small basket inside the incubator to keep them separate and from getting jostled. Otherwise the hatched chicks basically play soccer with the unhatched eggs.

I'll quickly turn the second batch 2-3 times a day then once first hatch is done and in the brooder, I'll return them to the turner.

I DO have a second incubator but the heater went out in it. I might see if I can fix it for then. That'll be a LOT easier. GREAT suggestion, never would have thought of that. Duh, me!

Either way I'm determined to make it happen!

Best of luck! No better way to learn than from experience!

And I’m sure your friend really appreciates it too. I know I sure would if I had lost all of my birds!

Keep us posted!

 

[misslady]

Ok we are all set to stagger! My blue are eggs set tonhatch 10/6 and friends brown eggs set to hatch 10/10View attachment 1140798

Looks great! The blue and brown eggs look so pretty next to each other like that. Love that big viewing window in your ‘bator too. Can’t see that well into my octagon eco, but I did just order a new rcom that has a big viewing window on the top like that. Not sure if I should get that set up and move my eggs into it or just finish out the hatch in the octagon.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[theuglychick]

Thank y'all! I'll be sure to post updates as we progress!