Congrats Debi!
Set 86 Eggs Tonight *FORTY-FOUR Hatched--Hatch Over *
- Thread starter speckledhen
- Start date
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Thanks my dear. I swear, I get better hatch rates when I put them through hell. 0% humidity, forgot to remove it from the turner, completely forgot about the bator for DAYS, staggered hatch. I need to use Cyn as a role model and just go with it. She has alot of success, and I think I am done listening to "the norm".
Thanks my dear. I swear, I get better hatch rates when I put them through hell. 0% humidity, forgot to remove it from the turner, completely forgot about the bator for DAYS, staggered hatch. I need to use Cyn as a role model and just go with it. She has alot of success, and I think I am done listening to "the norm".
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- #253
Yea for Debi!
Omigosh, I didn't even catch that I was saying March rather than April, LOL.
Another blue Rock hatched. There is still one BBS Rock egg in the bator and the chick is in the air cell--we opened a pin hole at the top of the air cell so it wouldn't run out of air and it was cheeping.
There are three BRs hatched, but they aren't getting to their feet as they should. Maybe by morning, they'll be up and around better. I did open a fourth and the chick was breathing, but unfortunately, wasn't formed well, so it's gone. Two others were expired and they were not in position to hatch, head was way down. A couple had those wonky, scallopped air cells, a result of shipping, of course, so I'm sure that had lots to do with it.
Gosh, I've lost count of each one now. I'm so fuzzy and it's so late, I'll probably report in the morning. Normally, we wouldn't interfere this much--I always tell DH that we need to let them hatch or not on their own, but he won't go down without a fight because of several occasions where the chick was okay, but just too large to get out. And we're exhausted. This has to be the longest drawn out hatch we've ever had. I really don't know if it was the bator, but all the eggs that had issues were in that one old square Hovabator. It's never malfunctioned before, but things do break down with use so who knows?
Omigosh, I didn't even catch that I was saying March rather than April, LOL.
Another blue Rock hatched. There is still one BBS Rock egg in the bator and the chick is in the air cell--we opened a pin hole at the top of the air cell so it wouldn't run out of air and it was cheeping.
There are three BRs hatched, but they aren't getting to their feet as they should. Maybe by morning, they'll be up and around better. I did open a fourth and the chick was breathing, but unfortunately, wasn't formed well, so it's gone. Two others were expired and they were not in position to hatch, head was way down. A couple had those wonky, scallopped air cells, a result of shipping, of course, so I'm sure that had lots to do with it.
Gosh, I've lost count of each one now. I'm so fuzzy and it's so late, I'll probably report in the morning. Normally, we wouldn't interfere this much--I always tell DH that we need to let them hatch or not on their own, but he won't go down without a fight because of several occasions where the chick was okay, but just too large to get out. And we're exhausted. This has to be the longest drawn out hatch we've ever had. I really don't know if it was the bator, but all the eggs that had issues were in that one old square Hovabator. It's never malfunctioned before, but things do break down with use so who knows?
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I have had a 50/50 with helping babes hatch. Sometimes it was a bad move and sometimes it wasnt. Tonight it wasn't. Too big for the egg AND turned upside down. As you know shipping has alot to do with it, but I was pleasantly surprised the babe hatched out after removing the top and seeing its butt. LOL!
I have had a 50/50 with helping babes hatch. Sometimes it was a bad move and sometimes it wasnt. Tonight it wasn't. Too big for the egg AND turned upside down. As you know shipping has alot to do with it, but I was pleasantly surprised the babe hatched out after removing the top and seeing its butt. LOL!
- Thread starter
- #255
Yup, that was what happened with a couple of these. It's nuts and I don't want to use a bator again or get eggs shipped unless it's a fast ship, like in-state. These shipped eggs did very well overall, so I'm not complaining about that and I do have way more than enough to pick some keepers from, even if the BRs didn't do as well as I wanted, at least, in that #2 bator.
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I really wish we could hatch the numbers that you do. We are working toward a business plan that will allow us to do that, as well as raise goats and rabbits. The ducklings were a test hatch for another member and it was a 50% success, which is great for new layers. I am thrilled for her.
You will have to take a pic of ALL the babes together for a nice cuteness overload background for our computers.
I really wish we could hatch the numbers that you do. We are working toward a business plan that will allow us to do that, as well as raise goats and rabbits. The ducklings were a test hatch for another member and it was a 50% success, which is great for new layers. I am thrilled for her.
You will have to take a pic of ALL the babes together for a nice cuteness overload background for our computers.
- Thread starter
- #257
I think the ones left in the bator will either get to their feet and start making an effort to live or they won't. I want that last BBS Rock to hatch, but though I know it was in the air cell, it hasn't pipped the shell on its own yet (we made an tiny air hole for it).
I have never hatched this many chicks, Debi. I did hatch 25 a few years ago, but not since then. I'd rather leave it to a broody, but I didn't have any breeders I wanted chicks from so had to get the eggs shipped in. Now, I can keep a rooster or two from this bunch and matching hens and sustain my flock for awhile without having to incubate.
I have never hatched this many chicks, Debi. I did hatch 25 a few years ago, but not since then. I'd rather leave it to a broody, but I didn't have any breeders I wanted chicks from so had to get the eggs shipped in. Now, I can keep a rooster or two from this bunch and matching hens and sustain my flock for awhile without having to incubate.
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YAY for you! I can't say the same! I have some old hens that need to be rehomed soon, however my turken? I can never get rid of her. She was my first broody ever and she weighs all of 10 ounces and rules the roost. I could never rehome her.
Ken and I are looking at a major life change for us. For the better. To get to doing what we really WANT to be doing, and letting go of some of our luxuries. What state are you in and is that house still for sale?
YAY for you! I can't say the same! I have some old hens that need to be rehomed soon, however my turken? I can never get rid of her. She was my first broody ever and she weighs all of 10 ounces and rules the roost. I could never rehome her.
Ken and I are looking at a major life change for us. For the better. To get to doing what we really WANT to be doing, and letting go of some of our luxuries. What state are you in and is that house still for sale?
Well, Cyn, you have a brooder full, that's for sure! I hope those get on their feet throughout the night. Dang, I was sure hoping they would come around and rally at the end.
OHHHHHHHHH, tomorrow is your son's birthday, and my broody is hatching! I saw a pip this evening!
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