Ended Official 2020 BYC Halloween Hatch-Along

[lu bantam chickens]

Holy moly you guys! I just did a 5 day candle (I know, a bit early, but I wanted to be sure not to show kids an empty egg in a couple days) and all of my tolbunts are alive and growing! I have 7 out of 7 so far, so fingers crossed for them all! I know I may have some quitters later, but just having confirmation of 7 fertile eggs is thrilling .
I picked up this to help me with humidity and temp: Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R586J37/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It is helpful because I don't have to open anything to check temp and humidity. It can be calibrated and the high/low accuracy is pretty good. The app shows a chart so I can see how long it took for my humidity to fall, it makes it easier to anticipate adding water and leads to fewer openings.
I am so excited! Tolbunts are my dream chicken

I had to look up the chickens - ahh the polish ones they look beautiful, brilliant fingers crossed here your hatch is good all the way

To everyone is hatching chickens ( or other poultry) worth all the effort - as I am thinking of getting an incubator - other than when my hens may go broody - which this year tried a hatch but failed with first time for all us

Do you mainly get all well chicks?

 

[Allthefloofs]

I had to look up the chickens - ahh the polish ones they look beautiful, brilliant fingers crossed here your hatch is good all the way

To everyone is hatching chickens ( or other poultry) worth all the effort - as I am thinking of getting an incubator - other than when my hens may go broody - which this year tried a hatch but failed with first time for all us

Do you mainly get all well chicks?

So this is our second go at it. Our first was really nerve wracking and resulted in only one chick. I really didn't want to do it again to be honest, but I tried to arm myself with a lot more info this time around, this community specifically has been so instrumental to a much more confident incubation. I would say that if I do it again I am getting a nicer incubator, the one we have (Janoel 12) is a pain and we can't see anything. I feel really optimistic after seeing the babies today. Even if we have a couple quitters I will still feel really good about the experience compared to the first one.
I'm sort of glad that my rabid desire for a tolbunt pushed me out of a comfort zone and into a place where I have to actively work and learn. I hope the results of this and many other forum threads help you feel comfortable and make you want to try!

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

I had to look up the chickens - ahh the polish ones they look beautiful, brilliant fingers crossed here your hatch is good all the way

To everyone is hatching chickens ( or other poultry) worth all the effort - as I am thinking of getting an incubator - other than when my hens may go broody - which this year tried a hatch but failed with first time for all us

Do you mainly get all well chicks?

Definitely do get an incubator don’t skimp and get a really good one to have better success.

Two reasons...

1. Hatching chicks is a must do if you have chickens. Addicting, but that’s fine. I think we’re all fully aware of that.

2. If one of your broodies fails part way through, you can get the eggs to the incubator and hopefully save the hatch.

I have had better luck with older hens successfully hatching clutches more than the pullets or first time broodies.

 

[aliciaplus3]

Hatching is Very addictive! I currently have over 100 eggs in different stages of incubation. Turkey, duck and chicken with the first batch of quail to go in tomorrow.
I started hatching in September 2017 with a cheap Chinese knockoff incubator that was a nightmare and have since graduated to a cabinet incubator and a brinsea ovation 56ex that is currently my hatcher( i move the eggs into it at lockdown) it never gets old in my opinion

 

[TJChickens]

I didn't think I'd have any bird eggs for the hatch along since my tortoise egg is using the incubator set at 88 degrees. Just so happens, I have a broody serama, so I put some very special serama eggs under her.

 

[Chookwagn]

I have Golden Pheasant eggs coming

 

[jolenesdad]

Holy moly you guys! I just did a 5 day candle (I know, a bit early, but I wanted to be sure not to show kids an empty egg in a couple days) and all of my tolbunts are alive and growing! I have 7 out of 7 so far, so fingers crossed for them all! I know I may have some quitters later, but just having confirmation of 7 fertile eggs is thrilling .
I picked up this to help me with humidity and temp: Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R586J37/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It is helpful because I don't have to open anything to check temp and humidity. It can be calibrated and the high/low accuracy is pretty good. The app shows a chart so I can see how long it took for my humidity to fall, it makes it easier to anticipate adding water and leads to fewer openings.
I am so excited! Tolbunts are my dream chicken

 

[jolenesdad]

Look what i got! 54 arrived perfectly. I’m ALREADY freaking out over how little they are.

 

[jolenesdad]

TODAY IS THE DAY TO SET QUAIL!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m so excited. I just got a new brooder made, and I found feed at the feed store.

Is anyone sneaking in a day 3 candle of their chicken eggs or is everyone waiting til day 4 or later?

 

[jolenesdad]

@Kiki are you setting? This is your official reminder.