After screwing up in every possible way with my first attempt at hatching, I'm trying again. Last time, I had a lot against me. No experience, still air LG bator, no egg turner until halfway through hatch, inaccurate thermometer, SERIOUSLY inaccurate hygrometer (reading 25% after the salt test, so yeah, makes sense why my eggs were full of dessicated little Silkies), shipped eggs...This time I'm doing it more correctly.
The eggs are not shipped, 6 of them are my own from my white and blue Sizzle hens penned with the SQ white Silkie roo. The others came from my local breeder friend, who has BEAUTIFUL Silkies. Those are buffs, and I would so love them to hatch!
I got a new set of thermometers, and a hygrometer that has been calibrated. I bought and installed the fan kit to the bator too. I've been running it for 2 days now, and it has been SO much easier to regulate the temps. I installed plastic tubing into the water channels and out the side through tiny holes so that I can add water without opening the bator.
I know now not to fool with the temp, and not to open the darn thing any more than necessary. I know what to expect as far as candeling, and that it needs only be done twice.
What I want to make sure on is this... I have the thermometers set right at where the middle of the egg should rest in an empty egg cup in the turner. I want it to be 99.5, correct? What is an acceptable range for variance- right now it's at exactly 100. I am thinking I'll leave it there for 24 hours, then adjust if needed. Does this sound good? I do not want to lose the entire hatch again!
Oh yeah... I set the 17 eggs today, and their hatch date should be the first of August.
The eggs are not shipped, 6 of them are my own from my white and blue Sizzle hens penned with the SQ white Silkie roo. The others came from my local breeder friend, who has BEAUTIFUL Silkies. Those are buffs, and I would so love them to hatch!
I got a new set of thermometers, and a hygrometer that has been calibrated. I bought and installed the fan kit to the bator too. I've been running it for 2 days now, and it has been SO much easier to regulate the temps. I installed plastic tubing into the water channels and out the side through tiny holes so that I can add water without opening the bator.
I know now not to fool with the temp, and not to open the darn thing any more than necessary. I know what to expect as far as candeling, and that it needs only be done twice.
What I want to make sure on is this... I have the thermometers set right at where the middle of the egg should rest in an empty egg cup in the turner. I want it to be 99.5, correct? What is an acceptable range for variance- right now it's at exactly 100. I am thinking I'll leave it there for 24 hours, then adjust if needed. Does this sound good? I do not want to lose the entire hatch again!
Oh yeah... I set the 17 eggs today, and their hatch date should be the first of August.
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