Pickle time

[fatjay]

It looks like I'm in a bit of a pickle.

Hatch day is friday. My kids graduation is saturday about 3 hours away, I'll be gone from 8am saturday until about 8pm. This is my first time hatching chicks, so I'm not entirely sure what to expect. Sure I've watched so many youtubes on it, but until you've actually done it, you know.

I have the maxicoop 30 egg incubator, when the countdown hits 0 days, does it shut off?

I'll have my brooder box ready, that's fine. But I also have my marek's vaccine which should be administered within 24 hours of hatching. Also something that I've seen youtubes on, but haven't done.

If anyone wants to chime in, I'd love to hear it.

 

[SgtPipsmom]

I can't speak to your specific incubator, but I have two different brands and neither of them shut off even after reaching beyond the last day. I just recently had a batch of call ducks that I had to put in halfway through their incubation because the broody decided she no longer wanted to sit them. I don't think I even reset the day counter. I just put them in and double checked that the temp was right, kept up on their humidity, and let it run until they hatched.

Good luck with your babies!

 

[fatjay]

Steamy hot chicks are in my area and waiting to meet me!

 

[fatjay]

I was able to successfully hatch 25 chicks. Less than 24hr later I was able to vaccinate them all against mareks disease.

It was a bit dauting to say the least. With a limited 1 hour viability for the vaccine, I wasn't sure I had enough time. I set my stop watch and took the vaccine from the fridge. I rehydrated it according to the instructions. I practiced before hand pinching the skin on the back of the neck and getting good exposure through the fluff. Only 3 times did I over-penetrate the skin and poke out the other side.

Total vaccination time from start to finish was 38 minutes.

10 hours later, all chicks are doing well, with no noticeable side effects of the vaccine or the vaccination process.