October-hatch-along 2019

[Don 27]

It's doubtful. Some people say don't do it but honestly, having it open for a short time won't hurt. Don't dawdle, but it'll be fine.

I've taken chicks out that were done hatching and dried off while others were pipped. I had 100% hatch and no one was shrink wrapped.

In my opinion, some eggs are more porous than others and dry out more during incubation which is what causes the shrink wrapping.

Ok I don't see this post it makes me feel better.

 

[Maiahr]

2 pips this morning. Earlier than scheduled, one is a Leghorn mix, so I am hoping to have my first Leghorn hatched!

 

[AusHen]

After a good look 6 have now pipped. A second has pipped on the wrong end. I think one may have started to zip but underneath hiddwn by other eggs so hard to see. Had to head out to my daughters horse riding lesson so that shal keep me busy for a while

 

[AusHen]

This little one just made its grand entrance not long ago

 

[Don 27]

Sally Sunshine has a great article on here about assisted hatching, https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching.64660/ . We used it for guidance last year and successfully assisted two chicks out that wouldn't have made it otherwise, one of which was an Olandsk Dwarf that turned out to be the only hen from that hatch. I had had to go out of town during the hatch window and my teen and spouse were, well, not as attentive to detail as was needed, which is what led to the shrink wrapping. I got home in time to save those two.

Thanks that article has a lot of information really helped .

 

[Don 27]

Yes! Two chicks just hacked this morning. There soo cute . I can't wait till they fluff up.

 

[FortCluck]

This little one just made its grand entrance not long agoView attachment 1929872

Oh my!!! Can't wait to see it fluffed up!

 

[Compost King]

I just candled a few eggs to see if I should run dry or add water in my last couple days before lockdown... in the process I discovered that the 2 eggs I suspected had died had developed further so i am glad I kept them in. looks like I will have exactly 42 eggs heading into lockdown which was my goal when I stacked 8 extra on the side. I am already selecting and rejecting eggs for my next hatch, well more than 50 collected so I can be choosier than ever. Weeding out eggs with minor flaws was not something I did much of in the past in order to fill my incubator. My hatch rate is going to improve provided I do not start tinkering and experimenting just because I am bored. Thats why I like Hatch a longs, when ever I get in the mood to tinker I just come post something and read others posts.

 

[igorsMistress]

I just candled a few eggs to see if I should run dry or add water in my last couple days before lockdown... in the process I discovered that the 2 eggs I suspected had died had developed further so i am glad I kept them in. looks like I will have exactly 42 eggs heading into lockdown which was my goal when I stacked 8 extra on the side. I am already selecting and rejecting eggs for my next hatch, well more than 50 collected so I can be choosier than ever. Weeding out eggs with minor flaws was not something I did much of in the past in order to fill my incubator. My hatch rate is going to improve provided I do not start tinkering and experimenting just because I am bored. Thats why I like Hatch a longs, when ever I get in the mood to tinker I just come post something and read others posts.

I have a humidikit for my incubator and I LOVE IT. Just set it and with the turner, forget it (I don't forget it, but I try).

I keep wanting to candle the eggs every day.

 

[Compost King]

I just made a 2nd cage for my hatch since I will have so many different birds who may look alike and I accidentally made it 1 inch too tall. I can shorten it but I will wait until lock down and see if its even needed. Never tested a 4 inch tall cage (supposed to be 3 inches and I thought it was 4.

on top is the first cage which I have used before, its longer and thinner. 2nd one is shorter, wider and unfortunately taller. I can shorten it easily then add something to keep little chicks from getting stuck in them. Right now the incubator is a little busy with the egg turner and I do not want to disturb it. Maybe the four Tall one fits, maybe not.

I have a humidikit for my incubator and I LOVE IT. Just set it and with the turner, forget it (I don't forget it, but I try).

I keep wanting to candle the eggs every day.

My best hatches are when I forget about it. I tinker too much