October Hatch-A-Long 2017

[Poultrybreeder]

Welcome to the hatch-a-long @theuglychick and @Poultrybreeder

Thanks, it's great to be here!

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

Hey, anybody ever tried using one of those 'breeder baskets'? You put a couple eggs in a wire box at lockdown, and when they hatch you know exactly whose they are. I just never made one before. Will the affect th temperature much?

I'm also considering using wing bands this time. Anyone ever used those?

 

[misslady]

Hey, anybody ever tried using one of those 'breeder baskets'? You put a couple eggs in a wire box at lockdown, and when they hatch you know exactly whose they are. I just never made one before. Will the affect th temperature much?

I'm also considering using wing bands this time. Anyone ever used those?

I've never personally tried seperating the eggs before hatch, although I have heard of people doing that with little plastic boxes/baskets from the dollar store so long as they're tall enough with good success. You could always drill some holes in the sides for better circulation as well.
My DH operates a welding shop and he said that if you want to go the route of metal wire, that using aluminum would be your best bet to keep your temp. stable since it doesn't hold heat as much as other metals. I'd give it a test run to be sure that it doesn't throw off your temp at all.
Still, I think I'd look into the plastic route, seems like the safer bet at holding a stable temp. and would be easy to disinfect.

 

[Poultrybreeder]

Hey, anybody ever tried using one of those 'breeder baskets'? You put a couple eggs in a wire box at lockdown, and when they hatch you know exactly whose they are. I just never made one before. Will the affect th temperature much?

I'm also considering using wing bands this time. Anyone ever used those?

I have used wing bands before, they seem to work pretty well. I usually use them on older chickens though.

 

[Harmony Fowl]

I should be joining in soon. We're closing on a new house 9/29. We didn't want to move an incubator of eggs, so I ordered eggs for the first week in October. (I also get to buy a brand new incubator, yay!) I just did a dozen assorted ones. It will be fun to see what they send. I also thought I would, just for a lark, grab a few free range dozen from the local co-op to see if any hatch. I'm not expecting anything, but it would be fun to try.

 

[Poultrybreeder]

I should be joining in soon. We're closing on a new house 9/29. We didn't want to move an incubator of eggs, so I ordered eggs for the first week in October. (I also get to buy a brand new incubator, yay!) I just did a dozen assorted ones. It will be fun to see what they send. I also thought I would, just for a lark, grab a few free range dozen from the local co-op to see if any hatch. I'm not expecting anything, but it would be fun to try.

Good luck on your hatching!

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

I've never personally tried seperating the eggs before hatch, although I have heard of people doing that with little plastic boxes/baskets from the dollar store so long as they're tall enough with good success. You could always drill some holes in the sides for better circulation as well.
My DH operates a welding shop and he said that if you want to go the route of metal wire, that using aluminum would be your best bet to keep your temp. stable since it doesn't hold heat as much as other metals. I'd give it a test run to be sure that it doesn't throw off your temp at all.
Still, I think I'd look into the plastic route, seems like the safer bet at holding a stable temp. and would be easy to disinfect.

Never thought of that, thanks! But would I be able to see them? I like to watch them hatch. Plus, I need to know if everybody's hatched before I open the bator.

I have used wing bands before, they seem to work pretty well. I usually use them on older chickens though.

Well, see, I saw this big-time breeder/shower, and he just plucked the chicks out of the bator and punched bands on bing bang boom. Plus, I wouldn't want to keep them separate in the brooder...

I should be joining in soon. We're closing on a new house 9/29. We didn't want to move an incubator of eggs, so I ordered eggs for the first week in October. (I also get to buy a brand new incubator, yay!) I just did a dozen assorted ones. It will be fun to see what they send. I also thought I would, just for a lark, grab a few free range dozen from the local co-op to see if any hatch. I'm not expecting anything, but it would be fun to try.

Oh, wow. Congrats on the house! And the second bator.

 

[Poultrybreeder]

@Fanci Feathers Marans, Huh, he must use a special wing band. I mean that's fine if that's the way you want to go, I would just feel weird banding tiny chicks.

 

[2MorrowsDream]

Gathering eggs for hatching this week! Anyone else going to hatch fall chicks? I can't wait to see those little balls of fluff!

If I had some eggs, I would. My birds are all too young. Hoping my Ameracaunas will start laying soon though.

 

[Harmony Fowl]

Oh, wow. Congrats on the house! And the second bator.

Thanks! I wish this were a second incubator, though I may not need really need two. My in-laws went halfsies with me on my first one. I used it twice, turned it over to them . . . and now they aren't my in-laws anymore. It was an inexpensive one, so it's not exactly on my list of things to try and get back. I'm sticking with the styrofoam, which did just fine for me, but splurging on the autoturner this time around.