Setting eggs today. I'm a hatching virgin.

[poultrypatch]

Hi all.,...I never was able to candle...after 3 tries...shells heavy and dark blue/greens. So I left it to nature to take over. Less to worry about. REALLY going to hate to clean up rotten eggs in a brand new bator though ! )
I know this is day 16,,,,,,,already.....and will increase the temp from 55 to ????? 65 or 70........NOT SURE. That will be day 18. Hoping to see some cute little babies over the weekend. I have a friend that is hoping we get some as I promised some to her so she can start a small flock.
Good luck to all !
Liz
MA

 

[lorrir]

Day 17, Excitement, excitement.

The brooder is ready. I am going to use cupcake paper liners instead of egg cartons.

LOCKDOWN TOMORROW!

 

[Lunawriter]

I'm starting to get so nervous! What are the cupcake liners for? Remind me what to do at lockdown, please so I don't have to go back and do a search--Ive read this all before but I'm panicking here!

Oy, I'm still building and fixing coops and trying to decide whether to give them all to my broody or make a brooder!

 

[lorrir]

I read that if you put the eggs in paper liners they can't roll all around and make a mess.

Lockdown= take out egg turner, increase humidity, pray.

 

[newlyweds]

Lock down tomorrow for us. But first tonight I was adding a bit of water to the troughs and I noticed one of my eggs moved, twice. It was so cool, first time I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I am going to take them out of the turner and get the humidity up to 65% tomorrow morning day 18 for me.

Lunawriter- basically lockdown means to stop turning the eggs and prepare for the hatch, I am using egg cartons, but some use paper liners for them to hatch in with less mess. Also be sure to crank up your humidity to 65-70% till they all hatch. Oh and don't open the incubator at all during the hatch.

ps: isn't it a little early for them to start wiggling???? Anyone know?

 

[Lunawriter]

Lorrir, I liked your rules for lockdown--made me laugh.

That's what I thought lockdown was all about, but reading about paper liners threw me off!

Newlyweds, so you just put the eggs all in the carton (pointy end down still?) and let them hatch in that? I knew you could line with things to prevent messes, but I hadn't thought of what yet. What is everyone else using?

 

[newlyweds]

Quote:
Here's a link more about using the carton method.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=153999&p=1


I will cut small holes in the bottom and cut the sides down a little. I plan on posting some pictures tomorrow right before lockdown.

Good luck everyone.

 

[chickchick2010]

Incubating eggs for the first time is great. I did it for the first time 23 days ago and now I have 2 babies - I named them Pip and Squeak.. I also have 16 turkey eggs in there now hoping to hatch by next Wednesday. Good luck to everyone. It is stressful!

 

[BLaBauve]

I have one chick out and 2 pips! So exciting! I'll be up all night!

 

[lorrir]

Egg turner is out, decided to use cut down egg cartons, sponges are in. Prayers have started.