Serama #1 Incubator LOCKDOWN this evening.

[sandiTX]

I am really worried about this hatching, been 15 years since we have done the incubator stuff. Any suggestions & do's and donts?

And incubator number 2 is due to hatch the 21st, number 1 is due to hatch the 14th.

 

[sandiTX]

I am really worried about this hatching, been 15 years since we have done the incubator stuff. Any suggestions & do's and donts?

And incubator number 2 is due to hatch the 21st, number 1 is due to hatch the 14th.

surely someone has some advice??

 

[happyhens1972]

Do Not Disturb! That's the best advice really.

As I go into lockdown, I stop turning, up humidity to 65%, then watch like an idiot for signs of anything! I talk to the eggs, make silly chicken noises at them and generally lose my dignity until day 21 when I check on the darned thing every two minutes and once pipping starts, worry myself into a frenzy over the slightest little thing!!! This is not so much advice, but a statement of loss of mind! Lol!

But I tell myself, over and over, DO NOT DISTURB! It is so very tempting to interfere and nine times out of ten, it isn't needed at all. I have had eggs pip and then do nothing at all for 18 hours, I have had eggs pip and zip in 20 minutes, I have had them out a day early, a day late and occasionally, sadly, not at all. But what I have learned is that most of the time, nature prevails and my worrying is for nothing.

I do have a fully automatic incy, an rcom suro, that does the turning, temps and humidity for me so it really is a case of 'set and leave'. All I have to do is take the incy off the turning cradle and up the humidity on day 18. Other than that, it just sits there doing its thing while I read a million posts and info sites that give fab info but a million reasons to fret!!!

I don't know how people go through it with less automated incubators. I would truly lose my mind if I didn't have those magic digital display numbers on the top of my incy telling me all is at the right setting and the occasional reassuring hum of the motor as it adjusts humidity for me.

So, my advice.....take a deep breath and try to relax. Nature is an amazing thing, even when we intervene with incubators. If you get to hatch day and get any problems, take another deep breath and get back here.....we will help any way we can

 

[sandiTX]

Do Not Disturb! That's the best advice really.

As I go into lockdown, I stop turning, up humidity to 65%, then watch like an idiot for signs of anything! I talk to the eggs, make silly chicken noises at them and generally lose my dignity until day 21 when I check on the darned thing every two minutes and once pipping starts, worry myself into a frenzy over the slightest little thing!!! This is not so much advice, but a statement of loss of mind! Lol!

But I tell myself, over and over, DO NOT DISTURB! It is so very tempting to interfere and nine times out of ten, it isn't needed at all. I have had eggs pip and then do nothing at all for 18 hours, I have had eggs pip and zip in 20 minutes, I have had them out a day early, a day late and occasionally, sadly, not at all. But what I have learned is that most of the time, nature prevails and my worrying is for nothing.

I do have a fully automatic incy, an rcom suro, that does the turning, temps and humidity for me so it really is a case of 'set and leave'. All I have to do is take the incy off the turning cradle and up the humidity on day 18. Other than that, it just sits there doing its thing while I read a million posts and info sites that give fab info but a million reasons to fret!!!

I don't know how people go through it with less automated incubators. I would truly lose my mind if I didn't have those magic digital display numbers on the top of my incy telling me all is at the right setting and the occasional reassuring hum of the motor as it adjusts humidity for me.

So, my advice.....take a deep breath and try to relax. Nature is an amazing thing, even when we intervene with incubators. If you get to hatch day and get any problems, take another deep breath and get back here.....we will help any way we can

Thanks for the info, our has the digital settings and all also, and everything been great and steady temp and humidity all has been what manual said for the incubator, and have the auto egg turner also. so this evening we will turn off turner and place eggs on wire and wait...LOl someone said seramas seem to hatch a few days sooner then the 21 days, we will see Thanks again.....geez, this is nerve racking as waiting on the birth of my grandbabies, hehe

 

[happyhens1972]

Oh, a little tip...I always line the base of the incy with kitchen towel at lockdown. It absorbs any goop and makes the clean up afterwards so much easier. It will also guard against any abrasions on the chicks.

And yes, nerve wracking about covers it! Good luck x

 

[sandiTX]

Oh, a little tip...I always line the base of the incy with kitchen towel at lockdown. It absorbs any goop and makes the clean up afterwards so much easier. It will also guard against any abrasions on the chicks.

And yes, nerve wracking about covers it! Good luck x

Thanks for your help

 

[sandiTX]

Oh, a little tip...I always line the base of the incy with kitchen towel at lockdown. It absorbs any goop and makes the clean up afterwards so much easier. It will also guard against any abrasions on the chicks.

And yes, nerve wracking about covers it! Good luck x

Ok eggs out of the auto egg turner filled the water thingys, and have the eggs on lock down. was so awesome as I was putting the eggs on the wire the chicks started moving the eggs around. was so awesome. had trouble getting them all in place due to the chicks moving around but thats a good sign

 

[happyhens1972]

It is pretty cool huh? You can talk to the eggs, chicken style now! I started a low, contented sounding 'bok bok' when they started rolling about, like the mother hen would.Once they had pipped, they would cheep right back at me Then their reaction to my continued 'bok boks' were immediate on hatch and so when it came to taking them out of the incy and showing them food and water, I 'walked' my hand round the brooder, 'bok boking' as I went and they automatically followed my hand and were drinking and pecking at food within minutes! It was so awesome....my very own trained little chickies from day one!!

 

[sandiTX]

It is pretty cool huh? You can talk to the eggs, chicken style now! I started a low, contented sounding 'bok bok' when they started rolling about, like the mother hen would.Once they had pipped, they would cheep right back at me Then their reaction to my continued 'bok boks' were immediate on hatch and so when it came to taking them out of the incy and showing them food and water, I 'walked' my hand round the brooder, 'bok boking' as I went and they automatically followed my hand and were drinking and pecking at food within minutes! It was so awesome....my very own trained little chickies from day one!!

cool....... I cant wait, its been like 15 years since I used an incubator. Forgot what fun it was and all the waiting!!

 

[happyhens1972]

I too have a hatch due on 21st. I work at a Primary School and we are doing a hatch in the school atrium, there for all the kids to see. The eggs are mine though as will be the chicks. I have 16 Orp eggs in four colours and 6 black Jersey Giants 'cooking'. Unfortunately, due to a last minute drop-out by another member of staff, I shall be away on a residential trip when my hatch is due and I have had to leave my precious eggs in the hands of a capable collegue. it will drive me to distraction though and I shall be eagerly awaiting every text to tell me how it's all going.....now THAT is real frustration!!!!