Setting eggs this weekend! Aug 14th! any hatching buddies?

[acid_chipmunk]

Hubby decided last night that he couldn't wait any longer and candled some of the eggs. We saw veins in the ones we looked at, so I guess we are doing well.

 

[drdoolittle]

Just posted this on another thread:

I'm a little worried. I have 3 hens that have decided that September is the perfect time to have chicks hatching. One started setting last week, and the other 2 just started yesterday. Should I take the eggs and hatch them inside-----don't have an incubator, just a 10-gal. aquarium and a reflector light-----or just let the hens do their thing? I really didn't want any more babies in the house this year! The aquarium thing is very primitive, I know, but I have hatched chicks in the past this way with no problem. I could let the hens set until the eggs hatch, and then take the chicks inside. Any advice

I'm a little excited, and a little apprehensive.

Haven't hatched chicks in a few years-----all the chickens I have now I bought as chicks and raised, so it'll be fun seeing what I get. I have a mix of chickens:banty RIR cross hens, and the others on my page. (Oh, I also have 2 cats close to delivering: one sometime next week, and one next month!)

 

[LaurenM23]

acid_chipmuck - Glad to here you've got development going on! Congrats! I'm holding out for Day 10, since my temps have been on the lower end of the required range. I'm already having to sit on my hands!

drdoolittle - Welcome to the group! Good luck on your hatch! Did you decide to stick with the broody hens or the incubator? I really hope that one of my girls goes broody someday...I'd love to see the process!

I turned up the temp in the house a degree last night, which worked well to keep my temp in the bator stable. I turned it back down this morning, so we should be good to go for the day. It was at 100.3 when I left, so it should get down to about 99.3 on the low end. I raised the humidity to 55% last night to let it drift down. It was at 45% this morning. I'll likely add some water once I get home...I'd like to keep it in the 45% range til Day 18. I let it get much lower last time (dry hatch method), but we'll see how this works.

 

[drdoolittle]

LaurenM23, right now I am sticking with the hens---letting "nature take it's course", so to speak.

They will probably do a fine job----I don't know if I can let the chicks with the mommies once they hatch or not. All my chickens are in one pen together, will the other chickens try to kill the chicks? Should I put the broody hens and chicks in a separate pen once the chicks hatch, or just take all the chicks in the house? I would hate to take the babies away from the mommies, though. Any advice?

 

[LaurenM23]

I have no experience with a broody, but from all of the different things I've read (on and off the boards), it sounds like separating the momma and babies from the others is best. I read one post just yesterday where the broody had hatched a couple, got up to eat or something, and "nest traffic" caused one of the babies to get trampled! If you take her out and have her in a dog crate just prior to hatch, maybe that would be best? I've also read of people who simply put up a little wire "cage" to give her space to her self with her own food and water source. That way, she has no reason to leave and abandon the nest...she can get in her stretch time, but not wander.

 

[drdoolittle]

Thanks Lauren, I'm lucky in that I have a different crates and such around! I can't wait until the eggs hatch!

 

[BloominOrchid]

I agree let the broody take care of them. once they hatch she will keep them safe for the most part, but if yo can give them a section of their own till they feather ut that would be best IMHO...

So are we up to 2 broody hens in the group now? thats awesome.
Acid- Yes buff laced...

little tipsie when I posted last night. Ihave to agree Gretchen is GREAT! Love her fancy chickens! I cant wait to get down to the farm for a looksie! were you at chickenstock here in PA?

 

[acid_chipmunk]

Yep, we were there. Spent the night Saturday night and spent most of Sunday helping Gretchen out. You will be blown away by all her birds if you go visit the farm. Plus the Emu, peacocks, ducks, horses, mini's, dogs and cats! She has everything!!! We are heading back to see her next Tuesday and should be getting some Muscovy babies! Soo excited!!!

 

[mburpo]

Well, my eggs for this hatch came from RIRguy (4 RIR eggs and a couple sex-link layed eggs.). Another dozen came from chseeads's barnyard mix which he calls his Motley Crew eggs.

I threw like 5 Wal-Mart "Farm Fresh" eggs in, too... Just beacuse. I haven't candled yet, but I may do that tonight after it gets dark.

 

[mburpo]

Well, I couldn't help it. I candled already. All my local buddy's eggs candles spot on, but only 2 or 3 of the shipped eggs are developing so far. Shipping took a toll on them because I saw cracks candling that I didn't before I set them. I'm going to leave them a bit longer and see if they're ok.

I set my Wal-Mart eggs 48 hours later than the others, so it's too early to tell on those. I think I might see something in one of them, but I'm not certain. They're only in the middle of day 2 or something.