October Hatch-A-Long

[DRGLENNON]

Congratulations!! Love the hen in a basket!!! Yay for baby chicks!!

x2

 

[Iko127]

I have trouble sleeping and was up at 4am anyway, I had 2 temp. drops during incubation, I think it slowed them down. I'm glad I didn't kill them.
Thanks, I'll try that now. How long do you think I should wait to remove chicks. the first is almost 24hrs but I have one that has started to zip and one that hasn't done anything?

I always try to leave the chicks in the incubator until no one is pipped or trying to hatch. As long as there is a break from hatching and the remaining eggs havn't pipped then I open bator otherwise you risk shrink wrapping them. At least thats my experience You would think since I have a problem keeping humidity down during hatch that wouldn't be a problem but they really do so much better not opening until all are done. So glad your chicks are hatching and doing good!

 

[Citychick11]

Today I tucked 3 more eggs into lockdown. (Phase 3 of staggered hatch). I am sad because there were 4. When I candled tonight, one egg quit at jelly bean size embryo (day 7?). These eggs have been subject to two hatchings and some chick romping. It'll be a miracle if any hatch. Another one of the eggs looks under-developed for day 18. It might have quit at day 14 or so. I hope not. I'm keeping it inside just in case. So here's hoping I get 2 more, maybe 3.

 

[CharterChick]

I always try to leave the chicks in the incubator until no one is pipped or trying to hatch. As long as there is a break from hatching and the remaining eggs havn't pipped then I open bator otherwise you risk shrink wrapping them. At least thats my experience You would think since I have a problem keeping humidity down during hatch that wouldn't be a problem but they really do so much better not opening until all are done. So glad your chicks are hatching and doing good!

I am guilty of shrink wrapping chicks... so sad! But now I keep my hands out of the incubator!

<--- I want lots of this! I have 9 in lockdown now!

 

[DRGLENNON]

Here are my new babies. I did really well keeping the incubator closed. I did open last knight after 5th chick hatched to put dry chicks in the brooder. The egg I could not see a pip in had actually piped under the egg where I could not see. The membrane was very thick and stuck to the chick after watching for some time I noticed the membrane turning brown and I did assist just enough to make sure the membrane did not have the chick tied down. When I returned her to the incubator I told myself if she can't make it now then she is not viable anyway. I went to bed and this morning chick #6 was drying. One of her feet the toes curl a little, I'm sure its from being stuck so long. I will make a shoe this morning and hopefully correct it.

I have learned a lot this time around. You can't beat dry hatching. It's best not to use eggs that are round with thick shells and membranes. Most of all KEEP THE INCUBATOR CLOSED unless absolutely necessary. Approx. 40hrs from first pip to completed hatch, Six out of six.

I almost forgot, I'm sure these come from my BR not the Bo. Silver EE over BR, I will get better pics. later and maybe someone can tell me how to sex these chicks.

 

[DRGLENNON]

I always try to leave the chicks in the incubator until no one is pipped or trying to hatch. As long as there is a break from hatching and the remaining eggs havn't pipped then I open bator otherwise you risk shrink wrapping them. At least thats my experience You would think since I have a problem keeping humidity down during hatch that wouldn't be a problem but they really do so much better not opening until all are done. So glad your chicks are hatching and doing good!

Thanks for your advice and help.

 

[Iko127]

I am guilty of shrink wrapping chicks... so sad! But now I keep my hands out of the incubator!

<--- I want lots of this! I have 9 in lockdown now!

I have definitly shrink wrapped and I hate it Good luck to your 9 hatching, hope they all do great!!

 

[Iko127]

Here are my new babies. I did really well keeping the incubator closed. I did open last knight after 5th chick hatched to put dry chicks in the brooder. The egg I could not see a pip in had actually piped under the egg where I could not see. The membrane was very thick and stuck to the chick after watching for some time I noticed the membrane turning brown and I did assist just enough to make sure the membrane did not have the chick tied down. When I returned her to the incubator I told myself if she can't make it now then she is not viable anyway. I went to bed and this morning chick #6 was drying. One of her feet the toes curl a little, I'm sure its from being stuck so long. I will make a shoe this morning and hopefully correct it.

I have learned a lot this time around. You can't beat dry hatching. It's best not to use eggs that are round with thick shells and membranes. Most of all KEEP THE INCUBATOR CLOSED unless absolutely necessary. Approx. 40hrs from first pip to completed hatch, Six out of six.

I almost forgot, I'm sure these come from my BR not the Bo. Silver EE over BR, I will get better pics. later and maybe someone can tell me how to sex these chicks.

Yay!! Congrats!! Great hatch So happy for you! Very cute babies!!

 

[DRGLENNON]

I am guilty of shrink wrapping chicks... so sad! But now I keep my hands out of the incubator!

<--- I want lots of this! I have 9 in lockdown now!

Good luck on your hatch!!!

I understand the importance of leaving the incubator closed but I did and still ended up with one wrapped up in the membrane.
the one that piped wrong figured it out on her own. It was hard to watch but I made it without interfering and so did she.

Notice I call them all she, keep sending that vibe and maybe it will be true.

 

[MsFormel]

One has been trying to hatch since last night. Is it ever an OK thing to help them out?