School Hatch Project

[littlerockflowr]

I won a giveaway from a local hatchery for an icubator/turner rental and a dozen fertilized eggs. I decided to put them in my daughter's classroom at school (and the teachers are so excited!) I was concerned about the eggs being out for too long, so I started them last night at my house, and then transferred them to the school this morning. I stuck around for a while, to make sure the temp was staying stable and everything looks good.
So I'm now counting days. Since I put them in last night, day one starts this evening, correct?

Here is my concern. I lock down on Monday the 22 I believe, and the the chicks will probably start hatching around Thursday the 25th. Because they're in a classroom, what should I do over the weekend? Should I take everything home with me so I can transfer them to a chick pen with a heat lamp and food and water, or should I wait until Monday and then transfer them over to something?

They'll be staying in the classroom and growing until they can go out into the school's chicken coop, should I ask the teacher to come in on Saturday or Sunday with me to get them transferred out of the incubator?

I'm so new to chickens, my girls are almost 1, and I've never done eggs before! There is just SO. MUCH. INFO. Out there.

 

[Apocha14]

So exciting!!!! Yes, one day would start at the 24 hour mark. I would bring them home over the weekend, they can stay in the incubator for about 24 hours although if everyone hatches, it gets crowded quick! Something someone mentioned to me was if you can borrow a go pro or something, you can film some of the hatching for the little ones! Good luck! Its very exciting, and addicting!!!!

 

[k5crew]

We started this week too! Our is a home school project for two families. I will enjoy Following your journey!!!

 

[littlerockflowr]

We are in the middle of Day 1 and everything is looking good so far. Our humidity has been a little iffy--Unless one of the plugs is out (or both) it jumps way up to 80%, with a plug out it's usually 30-40%. When the teacher came in this morning she panicked because it was at 10%. I probably need to pick up a meter to measure the humidity levels, in case the other one isn't accurate. But it makes me a little worried to leave them for the weekend, especially since next weekend it will be a 4 day weekend! No school Friday or Monday. (The 12 and 15th) THe teachers will be in meetings there are friday I think, so they can at least keep an eye on them.

But the temp is good! I'll make sure to check the air pocket on the 7th day and see where it's at.

The kids were all so excited yesterday, coming over and checking on them every few minutes (it's a Montessori school so everything is hands on anyway!) and they have marked the calendar for hatch day already

K5crew, that's exciting for your kids! Keep us posted on how things are going! How many eggs did you set?

 

[lazy gardener]

Your goal should be 30 - 40% until day 19. Then increase to 65%. Read Hatching 101 in the learning center. Wishing you the best!

 

[k5crew]

My incubator does not bet below 40% so far. So excited!

 

[littlerockflowr]

Your goal should be 30 - 40% until day 19. Then increase to 65%.

That's what myself and the teachers have been aiming for. I check on everything when I'm dropping kids off or picking them up. They put plugs in and out as needed. We'll try to candle in a few days when we're around day 7 and see how the air sac is looking I guess!

The temp stayed good over the weekend with no one there, but the humidity dropped down to 10% so they added a bit of water. I think things are going pretty good so far!

 

[littlerockflowr]

I went in this morning and candled (day 11 today). No school today, so we could do it without running the risk of showing the class dead eggs. But actually I think they're all doing something! The classroom isn't as dark as I would have liked, but we were able to see something. The air sacks all looked good I thought, none of them seemed huge or tiny. And they all had dark blobs in them. I didn't see any veins, and only one of them had a really dark spot that I guess was eyes? And I didn't see any movement. But none of them were clear, so we're winning so far

 

[littlerockflowr]

Going into lockdown tomorrow morning! I think I have everything sorted out in the brain. I've been reading and reading so much information I've a bit overwhelmed!

Going to take the egg turner out, and lay the eggs on their side, either add water to the bottom, or a sponge or two along the eggs. I'm thinking I need to lay some paper towels on the wire grate just to give something easier on their feet. Day 21 is Thursday and on Friday I'm bringing everything home with me after school is out so I can move chicks to the brooder and take care of everything before I bring the chicks back to class on monday!

I'm nervous! Hoping everything goes well. The kids are so excited for hatching.

 

[k5crew]

We have a hatchling!!! Hoping for more before the day is done!! I wish I had put in paper towels or a cloth. So exciting!!!