October Hatch-A-Long

[Iko127]

My fun has started!! 2 external pips and very pretty 13 blue eggs have arrived and are resting!!! I was wondering if everyone hatching could tell me what kind of thermometers are being used??

 

[DRGLENNON]

I usually wait till the end of day 18 or whenever is convenient to lockdown because I candle and mark aircells.

I would leave the fan on... I only turn it off if I have chicks that need help or have very sensitive (tiny) eggs or I hear turkeys hatch better without the fan.

Thanks for your response. The eggs are small to med. the pullet has been laying a few months. I did not mark the aircells but it seems they are not as large as in pics I've seen(not much smaller) but at day 14 they look right on time. I guess lockdown tomorrow morn. and next time I will weigh and mark eggs. I make a really nervous mother hen.

 

[DRGLENNON]

They look better dry and fluffy. Not like little alien babies when they were hatching.

Is that an ice tray you are hatching in? I never would have thought of that.

 

[DRGLENNON]

My fun has started!! 2 external pips and very pretty 13 blue eggs have arrived and are resting!!! I was wondering if everyone hatching could tell me what kind of thermometers are being used??

Congratulations and good luck! I found a great digital thermometer and hydrometer at walmart for $5 that also gives highs and lows for the last 24hrs. Great investment.

 

[LittleRedCoop53]

I just hatched out 6 of 6 in my new homemade incubator. Buff cochin roo with porcelain belgian bearded d'uccle hens.

 

[cochicken]

Is that an ice tray you are hatching in? I never would have thought of that.

 

[cochicken]

An ice tray worked out pretty well, but the eggs that I sized it for were smaller and fit down in better. I used a newer batch of eggs, which were bigger and so it made me nervous whenever I tipped them. I just need a rounder shaped cube tray.
I ran a 1/4 20 threaded rod straight through the incubator wall underneath the tray. This way I could tip them back and fourth without having to open up the incubator and disturb the temp and humidity. Last three days removed clip holding tray and sat it on the floor as I didn't want anybody to get stuck underneath it.

 

[HugHess]

Is that an ice tray you are hatching in? I never would have thought of that.

I like that ice tray idea...

 

[DRGLENNON]

I like that ice tray idea...

I do to.

 

[them chickens]

Is it wrong to hatch ducks under chickens