September Hatch-A-Long

[CharterChick]

I'm jumping on this thread! I hope that's ok!

I have 27 eggs in. The best part is someone is paying me $4 a chick for them! I'd have put in more but that's all I had! Lol there are 2 groups of eggs. group 1 is due the 9th group 2 is due on the 16th. All of group 1 are growing babies! I love hatching chicks!

GL to everyone!!! Happy hatching!!!

 

[21stCenturyMom]

Hi Y N Dottes! What kind of chicks are you setting? I'm guessing some Wyandottes?

I am obsessing over the humidity in the incubator more than anything else right now... I don't have one of those hydrometers, so I'm concerned the humidity is too high in there

I do have the eggs in an egg turner, and I'm using the Little Giant still air incubator.

How does a mama chicken even know anything about humidity when she is sitting on a clutch? I am puzzled by the whole humidity thing

 

[21stCenturyMom]

Aww, your mama hen looks so cute! Good luck!!!

 

[Y N dottes]

Hi Y N Dottes! What kind of chicks are you setting? I'm guessing some Wyandottes?

I am obsessing over the humidity in the incubator more than anything else right now... I don't have one of those hydrometers, so I'm concerned the humidity is too high in there

I do have the eggs in an egg turner, and I'm using the Little Giant still air incubator.

How does a mama chicken even know anything about humidity when she is sitting on a clutch? I am puzzled by the whole humidity thing

unfortunately, no wyandottes in this batch. just a bunch of different breeds and there will be some mixed breeds too.

I wouldn't worry too much about humidity for the first week and a half. If you read this incubation cheat sheet from ChooksChick it has good info on dry incubation methods: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/incubation-cheat-sheet

a broody hen gives of moister to keep humidity up

 

[AmericanMom]

I'm jumping on this thread! I hope that's ok!

I have 27 eggs in. The best part is someone is paying me $4 a chick for them! I'd have put in more but that's all I had! Lol there are 2 groups of eggs. group 1 is due the 9th group 2 is due on the 16th. All of group 1 are growing babies! I love hatching chicks!

GL to everyone!!! Happy hatching!!!

Isn't it wonderful!!! I also have eggs in the bator that are already sold Heading into day three, I hand turn so decided to grab the light and see if there was any changes in the easy to see into egg and there is signs of veining going on... Yay!!!

And then I have a broody hen that I just set eggs under day before yesterday so I still get to have chicks without having to raise them

 

[duluthralphie]

Cream Puff:

I have my eggs in an auto turner, but at lockdown they get put in paper egg cartons (small end down) in which the bottom has been cut out to allow for more air circulation. If you have wonky air cells, the upright position is best. I like it because I can keep track of who's hatching AND the cleanup is pretty easy. As an added bonus, the chicks don't kick the other eggs around.

Thursday night is my Day 18, too!

I did not know this, I laid mine flat and let them knock each other around when they hatch. Is this standard to leave then pointy end down? I have an auto turner, so I could just leave them in the turning trays and stop the motor?

The more I learn the less I know.

 

[Y N dottes]

Quote:
Pointy end down always!

I would guess they would be just fine hatching out in the auto turner holders

 

[duluthralphie]

Pointy end down always!

I would guess they would be just fine hatching out in the auto turner holders

As I read my question, I think I misstated it. I incubate pointy end down, it is when I put them in lock down I lay them flat.....BUT I am willing to change. I was thinking after reading your post of using egg carton bottoms for hatching, the whole mess would be contained.

 

[Peep_Show]

And, again, just IMHO putting them in an egg carton is a whole lot easier to clean than leaving them in an auto turner with the motor turned off. It's easier to toss than scrub.

 

[Peep_Show]

Well, I took another candling at my wonky Welsummer egg and it was just weird.... Lots of clear space at top and bottom and NO movement and a floating air cell. Did an eggtopsy and it looks like a quitter at somewhere between 12 and 13 days (today is Day 17). So now down to 16 eggs heading to lockdown. Hope that number sticks because I'm hoping for 6-8 pullets out of the deal....and, yes, I realize the Law of Averages has no place in chicken math. (Trying hard, really, to not count my chickens before they hatch)