Setting eggs today 5-3-12...anyone with me?

[WyoChickenMamma]

I let them just rest with the pointy end down for about 24 hours, then they go in the incubator for the first 24 hours with no turning. Then I started turning them. I have read that too about not turning them. It is all so hard to know exactly what to do and what not to do. My husband told me last night that I am over thinking a lot of it and that reminded me that they are just chickens. Yes, I know this, but I also know that I paid a lot of money for some of those eggs and it makes me sad to think about getting a zero hatch. I know there is risk and it is a gamble, but I would at least like a 40% hatch!! Or is that wishful thinking????

 

[mbleily]

I let them just rest with the pointy end down for about 24 hours, then they go in the incubator for the first 24 hours with no turning. Then I started turning them. I have read that too about not turning them. It is all so hard to know exactly what to do and what not to do. My husband told me last night that I am over thinking a lot of it and that reminded me that they are just chickens. Yes, I know this, but I also know that I paid a lot of money for some of those eggs and it makes me sad to think about getting a zero hatch. I know there is risk and it is a gamble, but I would at least like a 40% hatch!! Or is that wishful thinking????

I also, over think things. I want to know all the whys and where fores. I think some times I never got over being 3 years old. Why? Why? LOL It is hard when people don't understand that I am not really trying to be difficult just want to understand. And I think I have a problem understanding the words people use for things too which doesn't help. Maybe a little dyslexic? don't know but maybe....

 

[WyoChickenMamma]

My husband has told me I should have been a private eye because I love digging for information and finding answers. I like to know why and how. It is just part of my nature. I have meet people with chickens who just know they have chickens..don't know about breeds or anything, just pick cute chicks at the feed store and hope for the best. I have known people who have bought meat birds, wondered why they all died and never laid an egg?????

Sad part is I think everyone should want to know and learn, so I talk chicken a lot, asking questions, whatever it may be...I think it bores most peeps though. So glad I found this website to share and chat chicken with people.

 

[WyoChickenMamma]

Hi...who all is still out there hatching more? I have 6 more eggs in lockdown, hoping for a good hatch this weekend!!!

Hope everyone is doing well and that their chicks are growing and healthy.

 

[mbleily]

Well, I had a chance to go to San Fran in California for next week end with all expenses paid with my daughter and I had to say no because of the eggs going into lock down. She said can't we take them with us??? LOL She loves driving there and I would love to go with her. Darn! But I can't leave my babies with here with any one hatching and me not being there. What would they think of me?

I candled ane of 30 eggs I removed 3. A couple more are iffy but I left them. I will not candle again. Just move them to their egg crate to hatch and lock down on 20. I read some place to count back three days from the hatch date to lock down. That puts it at 4 days before lock down the way he stated it. Seems like I always have them start right away pipping so maybe he is right. I don't think it would hurt to try it that way this time.

 

[WyoChickenMamma]

Today is day 20-21...I set them in the evening, so technically I guess day 21 is late tonight. I still don't have any pips or anything...I am hoping they are all still alive. FINGERS CROSSED!!!

 

[sawinga]

So it seems no one except you two have been active on this thread.....my hatch went bad the last time i put them in....remember the two different sets of conditions....I candled them all at day 10 and all had blood rings....I mean alllll.....the fact was that the eggs were a month old so might have been bacteria....but who knows.....neways I have put in a fresh batch now....like a week back ( mind you these were fresh eggs like only a day old). I candled them yest and they look great.....it seems the one with no fan and temp regulated using a thermostat at 100.5sh is doing much better compared to the other one. Also i noticed its best to use a normal thermometer rather than digital....as the digital ones have standard errors.....you could buy a really expensive one to be more accurate but whats the point i say.....next thing is that finalllyyyy one of my hens went broody and i have 6 of her own eggs underneath her.....seems like 3 conditions are met now....fan and dry......still but with water......and broody hen.....so heres to a great hatch.....

 

[WyoChickenMamma]

So it seems no one except you two have been active on this thread.....my hatch went bad the last time i put them in....remember the two different sets of conditions....I candled them all at day 10 and all had blood rings....I mean alllll.....the fact was that the eggs were a month old so might have been bacteria....but who knows.....neways I have put in a fresh batch now....like a week back ( mind you these were fresh eggs like only a day old). I candled them yest and they look great.....it seems the one with no fan and temp regulated using a thermostat at 100.5sh is doing much better compared to the other one. Also i noticed its best to use a normal thermometer rather than digital....as the digital ones have standard errors.....you could buy a really expensive one to be more accurate but whats the point i say.....next thing is that finalllyyyy one of my hens went broody and i have 6 of her own eggs underneath her.....seems like 3 conditions are met now....fan and dry......still but with water......and broody hen.....so heres to a great hatch.....

Yes...we kept it going because we started other hatches right after that last one. Feel free to stay in touch here. I am curious to see how your different environments turn out. What elevation are you? I am learning all about high altitude hatching and shipped eggs.

 

[sawinga]

Dont have a clue about height and all....all i know is to have the heat source not to far from eggs as its more artificial....someone said to mimic a hen as much as possible...these are new things and new eggs....I am trying to keep it simple with different environments....I am hoping for it to be a good one....i keep putting dates on it....the guy i know said that shrink wrapping is bull and applies only at places with very low humidity....so yea not too sure....my humidity is already on 50sh level so i guess it applies to me...not sure....neways how was ur hatch? how many babys?

 

[WyoChickenMamma]

So far I have 4 in the brooder and 2 still in the incubator. One has pipped and both are rocking a bit back and forth and chirping...hope they both get out.