Setting eggs today...20th May...anyone else?

[Alaskan]

Loopy, I agree, being able to compare chicks makes sexing easier.

Ashem, is the breeder close(for Disco)? I can't remember just how close he was. Maybe he would let you go over and look at the black one he got. See if the difference between boys and girls is clear.

 

[Alaskan]

And Loopy! I forgot to say, super cute chicks...but then I just love all chicks.

 

[ashem0]

Yes it would be so much easier if I just knew what his breed was and had another to compare. The breeder says he only has Rhode Island Reds (which this one is supposed to be) and Isa Browns, so technically he should be one of those, but I've never seen a black one before! But is there such a thing as 'bitsa' chicks? Like some dogs are 'bitsa' everything?

Loopy, your chicks are so sweet! Gorgeous little bundles of fluff!

I wish I had ended up with a healthy flock like that! But I will try again for sure.

I'm trying to work out what went wrong with incubation at my end for such a lousy hatch rate, I'm thinking the 2 hatch dates was the main culprit. I had to increase the humidity so early on for the first hatch date then lowered that again for the rest of the incubation on the Maran's then increased it again for their lock-down. Any thoughts? I'm thinking next time I will do a dry incubation then add the water at lock-down. This would keep it steady.

 

[ashem0]

Oh, and when will you be setting your replacements Loopy?

 

[Alaskan]

I think the two hatch dates probably hurt.

I also think that shipped eggs are always a problem. Maybe read up on the best thing to do when the air sack is saddle shaped?

 

[loopy12]

Yes, the staggered hatch is never ideal.
A dry hatch next time might be good if you weigh the eggs to be sure they are losing the correct amount of weight. Dry hatching can be very successful depending on the humidity of your area and your house, but the first time you need to be very careful with it.

I set my replacement eggs this Tuesday. Its all a bit risky. We are flying to florida for 2.5 weeks and leaving a school friend of mine to house sit while we are away. My incubator is all automatic so should be fine, I've just told her to sniff test every few days. I will get home on day 18 just in time to candle and lockdown! Just fingers crossed for no eggplosions...

 

[Alaskan]

Eeeeeeeeek!

Well, that will make your trip more exciting wont it?

 

[ashem0]

Loopy that sounds like a very convenient set & forget!

Hope it goes well. Keep us posted as to the outcome!

 

[loopy12]

I am a bit nervous about it...especially as they will be those replacement precious mille fiori eggs. I've no idea how many replacements he's giving me, but I will pick them up today. I will try and buy some other eggs from him just to fill up the incubator...may as well.
I thought I'd struggle to find buyers for any chicks/chickens I don't need while here in Italy, but someone my husband works with has already reserved 4 of my nine, so now I need replacements!

 

[loopy12]

Ok...I have 25 eggs going in on Tuesday night.
He gave me 12 Mille Fiori for free, 10 Black Orpingtons for free and I bought two buff orpingtons and a brahma just to fill up the last few gaps...
Last hatch of the season...