Ready Set Hatch! Set 3/17 Hatch 4/7 - ready now! Hatch-Along

[melodie_a]

I don't know why but I just feel a bit disheartened about the hatch today. I am still having temperature issues, thought I had it steady but had a big spike today for no reason that I can think of and we are going out of town this weekend so I won't be here to monitor things closely. I am going to ask my mother to check in but she really won't know what to do. I peeked last night and I think I am down to 4 with movement.. Maybe 5. I heard from the person who was supposed to be hatching 4 ameraucanas for me and none of them hatched, made it to day 18 and quit.. So I am really questioning if any of these eggs have a chance with me having no idea what I am doing.

*sigh, I think I need a happy pill!

 

[Wrightsx4]

Send me some happy pills if you find any! What day are you on? Sorry I've lost track. I know temp spikes are common around day 14. Is your humidity possibly fluctuating and causing the spike? My other incubator's temp would increase as humidity decreased.

 

[melodie_a]

Thank you. I feel really bad and I know this is part of raising them but I'm so angry that it took the one that would be the hardest to lose. This was mid afternoon on a sunny day and the gate was open so the layers could come and go from their nests as needed. Poor Baby was so afraid to be outside and that's why she fell victim right there in her safe corner. And here I've always felt safe letting them freerange a few hours midday and worried about getting them locked up safe before dusk.

I wouldn't have thought a raccoon would be a problem at that time either. I only considered them a threat at night. It always seems like it is the favorites that we lose first!

 

[melodie_a]

Send me some happy pills if you find any! What day are you on? Sorry I've lost track. I know temp spikes are common around day 14. Is your humidity possibly fluctuating and causing the spike? My other incubator's temp would increase as humidity decreased.

I am on day11. I am having a hard time tracking humidity. I have two gauges reading totally different, I really don't think either are accurate. Ugh!

 

[Wrightsx4]

Yup. No doubt raccoon. He was still in the coop when I ran in with the pitchfork. It's like they know which one means the most. In all fairness, I know she was probably the weakest. I knew when I put her egg in the incubator it wasn't the sensible thing to do - pick from the strongest stock and all that, but I'm not a breeder. We just enjoy our chickens and loved that she seemed to truly love us back.

 

[Wrightsx4]

Oops double post. Meant to say I'm sure her being weak is what made her a target. Those animals know.

 

[melodie_a]

I feel the same way. We have a dark brahma that is the favorite. Her color is terrible, not even close to standard but if I ever get a roo that does his job, I want to hatch some of her babies. She has the best personality out of the whole bunch... Such a love-bug!

 

[Wrightsx4]

You may be doing everything right and still have temp fluctuations from what I've read. Did you say your type of incubator? LG? My brain isn't working well tonight. Do a search on BYC for tips/tricks for your model incubator. Some incubators are more frustrating than others. It's amazing what little tricks they come up with for some of them.

 

[Moni]

My little japanese girl is still holding strong. She has 12 eggs under her, some hers and some from my other bantys. I candled a couple of nights ago and i had one that looked clear and one with a detached air cell. I didn't pull them tho. I decided to wait until next candle. Thanks for asking Wrightsx4. I love this website!!!!

 

[Wrightsx4]

My little japanese girl is still holding strong. She has 12 eggs under her, some hers and some from my other bantys. I candled a couple of nights ago and i had one that looked clear and one with a detached air cell. I didn't pull them tho. I decided to wait until next candle. Thanks for asking Wrightsx4. I love this website!!!!

Great! Don't give up on the detached air cell - they make it sometimes