Set 86 Eggs Tonight *FORTY-FOUR Hatched--Hatch Over *

[PepsNick]

Block method is something that people use while they are incubating and hatching in the same incubator, like doing a staggered hatch in one. You just put a block under one side of the bator three times a day, and then it doesn't bother the hatching ones. I suppose that this is only for hatching in egg cartons. I forgot you don't do that.

I didn't order auto egg turners for either hatch. I was planning on using this method... Though I haven't heard much of it.

 

[kathyinmo]

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I have never heard of the term, "block method." I would think the water would slosh around if you put a block under the bator, wouldn't it?

 

[speckledhen]

How would you keep the water in the trays from leaking out the holes if you tilt the whole bator, though? Never can figure that out. I don't like the carton method personally so it wouldn't work to tilt the bator and have eggs crashing into each other.

A 2nd NH hatched. I'm sure I saw a blue Rock rock a few minutes ago. Was thinking about this... the blue Rocks were on the left side of the bator in the turner and the BRs were on the right side, with NHs and BLRWs in the center rows. I wonder if maybe that heating element has developed cool areas and these are just a day late. They were all developing just fine just before Day 18 except for about 4 of the Blue Rocks that seemed not quite far enough along for that stage. It would be very odd that none of the BRs or BLRocks would be pipped when the NHs are doing just fine. Anyway, that's the only thing I can think of. My Spot Check's probe is fed down through one of the vent holes, but as you know, those are actually in the center area of the Hovabators, not on the sides, so it would read right where the probe was hanging, but not off to the sides, if you get my drift. I've never had that issue with this bator before, but things change with use.

 

[kathyinmo]

Well, it's not too late. Don't give up hope yet! Those Rocks should be pipping any time now.

 

[lockedhearts]

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I think you may be on to something there. I noticed that the windows on mine , one was warmer from the element than the other one. It would make sense that those could develop cool/cold spots as they wear. Maybe I need to move one of my thermometers to the other side of mine

 

[PepsNick]

I didn't think about the water thing. Guess I'll just hand turn... That's okay. Kathy, this is what you said about the block idea... Not sure where I got the word method from, sorry. I thought it would be a good way to turn eggs even if you aren't doing a staggered hatch. I'm not sure which incubator was being used here, though.

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You can still use the block idea, with your staggered hatch. It won't hurt the eggs on lockdown at all.

 

[kathyinmo]

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You can still use the block idea, with your staggered hatch. It won't hurt the eggs on lockdown at all.


Nick, that is a block under the egg cartons, I believe. Not under the entire incubator.

 

[PepsNick]

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Nick, that is a block under the egg cartons, I believe. Not under the entire incubator.

OH! That is a great idea! I didn't get that. Think that would work? It would sure save me some time to have the bator open!

I need to stop forcing myself to stay up. Night everyone, hope the hatch goes well!

 

[kathyinmo]

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Nick, that is a block under the egg cartons, I believe. Not under the entire incubator.

OH! That is a great idea! I didn't get that. Think that would work? It would sure save me some time to have the bator open!

I don't really know from personal experience, Nick. I have never done it myself. I have always used an egg turner.

The point of that post was that it didn't matter if the eggs were slightly tilted or not, in the staggered hatch.

 

[speckledhen]

Good morning, everyone! We have two blue Rocks pipped this morning!

I did something unconventional last night, but after years of hatching, I was sure it was a good thing to do.

Since I have a suspicion that my Bator #2's heating element is not working properly, after all in Bator #1 were hatched except one EE, I put the EE in the bator with the hatching NH's, re-set that #1 bator (rinsed out the shelf liner, added water to the trays, etc), then one by one, took each BBS Rock and each BR from bator #2, candled them, removed ones that obviously had perished (2 blue Rocks, 2 Barred Rocks, leaving 6 blue Rocks and 8 BRs that appeared alive or I thought might be). Then as each was candled that looked alive, even a couple of beaks in the air cells, I moved each of those over to Bator #1 and left the NHs in to dry off.

This morning, at first missed two pips, but finally, saw that two blue Rocks were, indeed, pipped at last! All four NHs are in the brooder and we have to go to town for more supplies so will report when I get back.