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

[ashem0]

Yes, exactly...if it was vibrating later in the picture I wouldn't worry so much. IT is just a hum now with the bricks on it. But VERY much NOT impressed with it. I kept the ducks out, because I read in a couple of places the humidity should be higher than the chicks...?

 

[loopy12]

Yes and no on the ducks...I incubate duck with chicken at 45%, but lockdown chicken at 65%, duck at 70%, so until lockdown its fine.

Even saying that, I've also hatched duck and chicken together in the past (by setting duck a week earlier) at 70% lockdown.

In your case, because the ducks go on for a further week in a different incubator, you can increase the humidity a bit in that extra week to compensate for the 18 days they were at lower than is ideal. I've done it maybe 8 or 9 different hatches with good results. Just like the weighing method where you adjust humidity to keep weight loss on the right line, its the average humidty over time that matters, up until lockdown when its more critical to maintain it.

 

[ashem0]

Hi Loopy,

I purchased a Bellsouth and had the chook eggs in that within 48hrs of incubation. I candled last night and have healthy looking eye/embryo and veins in at least half of them... many of the Marans are too dark to tell yet. So I am happy with that given how traumatic the start of their incubation was. Bellsouth's are a humdinger over here, Australian made. They are still-air and so far the humidity & temp has been stable which is just so nice to have an incubator that just does what it is supposed to!

The duck eggs: 2/3 are good. The 3rd I am actually wondering if it was a dbl yolker... candling it certainly looks like one. I don't think it is fertile though.

Here's a question... how would I know if the eggs, that don't appear to be fertile, were actually fertile or just unable to grow because of the vibrations? I guess I will only know on eggtopsy hey?

 

[Alaskan]

I think you would have a blood ring (if they had tried to start and then the vibrations killed them)

 

[ashem0]

That's interesting Alaskan, cause I can see a blood ring in 2-3 of them. Overall though I have 8ish that are looking good. So all is not lost. I still have the ducks in the other bator... 2/3 started... 1 is definitely looking good the other is not - just doesn't seem to be developing and the web of veins is getting weaker. It really is amazing candling them, cause they are so transparent.

 

[ashem0]

Just finishing off my journey, for those who might read this and think, I wonder what happened...

I successfully hatched 12 out of 13 eggs that went into lockdown. I have 11 gorgeous French Wheaten Marans and 2 stunning little Light Plymouth Rocks. All zipping round their brooder box and growing!

Overall, I have learnt that re incubators: You get what you pay for. As soon as I invested in a decent one, I had a decent hatch.


Only problem I have now... is where to put them all!!! Think I'll be making some chook-loving friends very happy soon with some rare chooks!! I only have room to keep around 5-6 of these bubsters. Ho hum!

 

[ashem0]

Oh! And thanks Alsakan and Loopy for all your input. Much appreciated.

 

[loopy12]

Fantastic news...so pleased for you...a long journey, but a result worth waiting for
Photos?

 

[Alaskan]

So wonderful that you got a bunch instead of another loner!

And such a great breed too!

 

[ashem0]

Here are my babies!

10 French Wheatens and 2 Light Barred Plymouth's. All thriving. Yay no more loner's!