Our First Broody and Incubator Hatch: a Diary

[igorsMistress]

I've been reading about dry hatching along with many threads about air cell development. So thankful for the folks here on BYC.

Incubator is 30- 35% h and leaving in that range until Tuesday (hoping the air cells will draw down more), then will candle eggs a final time and put them all under Ruby. She has managed to stay in her nest so I'm going to take my chances and let her do it. That is what this was all about to begin with.

I've learned a lot about incubator hatching and using a broody both. There are challenges with both methods, and I'm sure I've created some for myself.

I've been frustrated at times, I really didn't want to deal with the incubator. I know myself, I screw around with things trying to see how this or that changes. I like experiments and I hadn't had time to figure it all out yet. Plus, I didn't think about how the humidity from the eggs would affect things, or about water temperature when I added to the incubator. All that for maintaining temp and humidity, the things chickens do on their own with no help from us. Imagine that.

I'm looking forward to Tuesday.

 

[aart]

There ya go...adjust humidity by watching air cells...not a perfect science, get it as close as you can.

 

[igorsMistress]

I marked the other side of the eggs for the high side of the air cells. These are the low sides of the air cells as of today, day 16. Eggs 1 and 2 have the smallest air cells and I know I saw movement and veins in those before. Keeping my fingers crossed for those!

Comparing to a chart in this post

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/day-14-air-cells-too-small.1253461/#post-20112874

most of the eggs are fairly on track.

 

[igorsMistress]

Ruby was out for breakfast this morning. She had some mustard greens and tomato and a little wet food.

Incubator was at 26% h so I added a little water. I'm just opening the lid and adding for now. It's easier and faster. Glad I haven't modified the incubator because I don't think I will.

 

[aart]

Ruby was out for breakfast this morning. She had some mustard greens and tomato and a little wet food.

Incubator was at 26% h so I added a little water. I'm just opening the lid and adding for now. It's easier and faster. Glad I haven't modified the incubator because I don't think I will.

What day are you on?
Opening to add water is fine....until the first pip then it should stay closed.
Adding sponges inside bator can really help ramp up humidity for during hatching.

 

[igorsMistress]

What day are you on?
Opening to add water is fine....until the first pip then it should stay closed.
Adding sponges inside bator can really help ramp up humidity for during hatching.

Today is day 17. Getting close!

I'm going to put them all under Ruby to finish tomorrow evening. She's been sure to go back to her nest only, no box switching.

 

[meetthebubus]

Can't wait! pics of sweet chicks and their mama!

 

[igorsMistress]

Tomorrow is the day! I'm so ready for this to be over.

We are having a haboob right now, rain is on it's way right behind it. Ruby is tucked in, the incubator is at 100% and 42% h.

 

[BlueBaby]

Tomorrow is the day! I'm so ready for this to be over.

We are having a haboob right now, rain is on it's way right behind it. Ruby is tucked in, the incubator is at 100% and 42% h.

If your electric goes out, put a big towel or something like it over the top of the incubator, making sure that the holes are covered. It will help to keep heat in there until the electric comes back on.

Edit: I am always getting tired of the monotony of it toward's the end, but when those cute little chick's start hatching, it's all worth it!

 

[igorsMistress]

If your electric goes out, put a big towel or something like it over the top of the incubator, making sure that the holes are covered. It will help to keep heat in there until the electric comes back on.

Edit: I am always getting tired of the monotony of it toward's the end, but when those cute little chick's start hatching, it's all worth it!

You're a great mama hen thank you for the idea! I now have a towel sitting on a shelf below it just in case.