Set Jan 29, Hatch Feb 19/20 Join Me!

[fivestring]

What is everybody doing with the eggs for lockdown?

I have read some just lay them on a paper towel over the screen mesh while others place them in egg cartons. I have 36 in there now so egg cartons will take up most of the space. But I guess it's going to be a bit crowded anyway even with just the eggs laying on their sides. I'm not sure what is best to do.

 

[sbarab]

I plan to put them in egg cartons this time around. My last hatch I did paper towels on the mesh and laid the eggs on their side. Got an 80% hatchrate. I have heard others talk about how messy hatching is and I didn't notice at all. My bator was squeaky clean after I removed the paper towels.

Looks like I'll have about 30 in lockdown starting this evening. I have ~ 9 that appear to be clear or quitters. I am still on the wall with putting them into cartons or just laying them on their sides.

 

[nuts4chickens]

I really wanted to use egg cartons this time but I didn't have enough room.I tried but they all wouldn't fit. My lil guys don't have much room to hatch. Almost wish I had a bigger one I could move them to for hatching.

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

Last year, I used egg cartons most of the time. I was not real pleased with my Hatch Rate. Here on BYC, I have seen arguments both ways. This hatch, I am laying them in my Hatcher on their sides and see how they do.

When I hatched Silkies in egg cartons, I got 80% hatch. When I hathced standard size eggs in egg cartons, I never got more that 50% hatch. So I figure it is worth giving it a try.

 

[aceschix]

This is my first time. I am planning to use the cartons. I have made a few "fences" with craft cross-stich plastic to keep my breeds separate until I can mark them. I am hoping I can fit it all in tonight when I do lockdown.

What do you guys do with the eggs while you are arranging everything for lockdown. I think it will take a few minutes...

 

[SpeckledPullet]

Mine are all going on their sides. In fact, they have been on their sides this entire time. I have been turning by hand. I will put them into an egg carton, but only while I get their bator ready for lockdown. I have to rig something up better so that they won't touch the light bulb once hatched. After I rig the light bulb the way I want, in they'll go and back on their sides. So far, 10 out of 13 are obviously developing well. 3 are questionable, but I "think" I have seen some movement, so they'll stay in the bator. I'm happy with them being on their sides so far. If they die for some reason, it will be due to some other reason (such as temp spikes or humidity issues).

For my bottom liner, I have the rubber type shelf liner. I think I will just use that instead of paper towels.

My debate at the moment is red heat bulb over white heat bulb for the brooder. I cannot make up my mind which I want! I might get both and leave them under the red bulb, but when I want to take pictures I will switch on the white bulb and turn off the red bulb. I wonder if that would disturb them too much?

 

[nuts4chickens]

What is everyone keeping their humidity at for lock down?

 

[milleryardchx]

This time around for lockdown I'm using egg cartons never have in the past but this time around a have quite a few loose airsacs so reading on here many recommened egg cartons for loose airsac hatches. My humidity will be around 60 to 65 i don't like going much higher because i have had a few chicks drown after the first few hatch and they raise the humidity up to 90% because of their wet little bodies.

 

[fivestring]

SpeckledPullet, I don't think the chicks care what color the light is. I have used both in the past and both work fine. My more expensive red bulb burned out last time I had a brooder set up so I am going with regular white ones this time.

I was using a large plastic tote in the past for a brooder for up to 8 chicks. If I have even 50% hatch I will be dealing with 18+ chicks so I am going to find a cardboard box from a fridge or range and set that up in the garage with two clamp on brooder lights and pine shavings for bedding.

Good discussion on the carton subject. I think I will do both. Half in cartons, half on the floor.

I go to lockdown tomorrow night. Woo hoo!

As for humidity I am going to try for 60-70%. That seems to be the most popular range on these forums from what I have read.

 

[SpeckledPullet]

Quote:
I wondered about that. I think you are right and I just don't see how red would keep them from pecking, even though so many sources claim it does.

Really, if we're going for a calming effect, shouldn't we use a blue light

Everywhere I read claims the color blue is a calming color.