Official Christmas Hatch! c'mon and join

[sekinkead]

So I have a question about the red plugs on the top of the Hovabator. Should I have those plugged during incubation and remove them during lockdown? That is what I just did for my first hatch and the 2 that made it to lockdown hatched fine. I don't want to screw up this next hatch.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Yea, I think that's what most people do. If it worked for ya before, it should be just fine!

The problem I had was that I changed my incubation practice, and shouldn't have! You know the saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" LOL

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
I'm a grandma, again! Yippee!

 

[teddiliza]

Today is day # 10. (#11 for my d'uccles) 10 of my 12 purchased eggs are fertile and developing, including the 2 blue eggs. (I thinks these are from the rumpless Araucanas) then I have silkies and brabanters- hopefully pure- but you never know with free range. 5 of 5 of my own porcelain d'uccle eggs are doing great! (Go Glitter mama!) Glitter is the name of my porcelain d'uccle who first started laying before the below freezing temps arrived. So we'll see how her chicks turn out.

I know I won't be keeping all of them however many hatch. I've decided to keep a trio of Mille Fleur chicks I bought from Ideal in October so I can hatch some Mille Fleur d'uccles next fall. But I plan on hatching more of my own porcelain's this spring. I think I'm going to have to let my mixed bantam rooster and my mixed hen and bantam cochins run around the yard and stay in the mini coop when the weather gets warmer, while the d'uccles stay in the chicken run.

 

[sangel4you]

I thought the book says to keep both plugs out and put them in during lockdown to raise humidity then take them out again when chicks begin to hatch? I'm all sorts of confused now...

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
I don't know what the book says. I just keep mine open most all the time. I will occassionally plug it, to raise the humidity ... but only for short intervals.

 

[technodoll]

It's official, we have 4 chicks on the way!

Assuming all goes well (

) we should have babies on Dec 23rd... that will be day 21.

Not exactly a Christmas hatch but close enough?

ps: this is a first for both my broody silkie pullet and I... am excited and nervous but she's stoic as a rock!

 

[chickenmeadow]

technodoll: So happy to read that you have 4, I've been waiting for you to post. Will be looking for your post around the 23rd too. Your website is very nice, you're a kick! Go Silkie, go! She must be proud of herself.

 

[technodoll]

Awe thank you!

She sure is taking her hatching seriously, only goes off the eggs once a day and that's because I peel her off so she can poop and grab a bite to eat

I make sure to cover the eggs with a towel during these 10 to 15 minutes.

i hope they all hatch

 

[k2chickens]

Kathy support right here!!