Ordered Silkie Eggs ~ So Nervous!

[mrsengeseth]

yay for your egg order!!! it's very exciting waiting for them (especially with how excited the PO is for you too, lol)

 

[Mrs MIA]

I think that I prefer the paper fiber cartons instead of styrofoam, just because it "breathes" a little more.

And if you can get the humidity down a little bit, you should be good. You may not need to add water until the last three days, depending on where you are...

 

[thegoogers]

Thanks CK Chickadilly!!

I am SO excited

I just got notice they were shipped today so it is definite they are IN THE MAIL!!!

OK so the carton method? Fill me in will ya???

Let me know when you get them!!

You realize...21 days from Friday is Halloween!!!

Uh oh...kids won't be going out with Mom HA HA HA HA

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Congratulations!!

I have my first set of eggs in the 'bator now, 14 more going in the 'bator tonight, and more eggs on the way

So my first hatches are in staggered hatches...going to be about 3 days apart I think.....

I am just keeping really good records on paper as well as having the eggs marked certain ways.

 

[CK Chickadilly]

I would love to have staggered hatches, but I am afraid I would confuse myself....

How do you work the humidity when you are staggering???

I will keep you posted thegoogers, I too got notice that mine shipped today.

for all of us that have eggs coming & incubating & hatching!

They say that putting the eggs in a carton the last 3 days helps the chicks to safely pip & zip. Maybe someone else can explain it better???? Please????
They don't get rolled around by the others chicks that have already hatched. Caus eyou can lay them down vs. putting them in the egg turner. Does that make sense? I am sure someone else can explain better.

So, when they hatch, shouldn't I take them out immediately & put them in the brooder?

 

[thegoogers]

Do you lay them sideways in the carton? Do you have a link?

I have read to wait at least 24 hours before putting them in the brooder

I am SO excited HA HA My husband thinks I am crazy

~Natasha

 

[Mrs MIA]

Just put the eggs in a carton that has had the top cut off, pointy end down. Then set the whole carton in the incubator/hatcher. Nothing to it. You can do a search in the incubating and hatching Eggs forum on the carton method, but that's all you have to do. Then bump up your humidity and leave 'em alone. This helps them orient themselves so that they can pip into the airsac, keeps the chicks from bowling the eggs around, and makes cleanup really easy. I won't do it any other way, now.

When the chicks are dry and fluffy, you can move them to the brooder. But they're fine in the hatcher until all the eggs have hatched, or even 24 hours...

 

[Mrs MIA]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=46424&p=168
post 1674 shows eggs/chicks in a carton.

I don't even bother with the box, just set the carton in there.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Quote:
I have a second incubator I am using as a hatcher, so I can up the humidity without having to worry about the other eggs

 

[CK Chickadilly]

If I try a staggered hatch, by a few days apart, what do I do with the humidity for the last 3 days of the 1st hatch? so I don't harm the 2nd hatch?