Setting Feb 16, want to join in>Hatch-Along

[patman75]

We were not going to candle and just be surprised but my wife and daughter are getting antsy and we going to do it tonight. I'm not sure it is going to be good. We got the eggs from the farmer I buy my feed from and he only has 1 rooster for 105 hens! We will find out tonight.

 

[hokankai]

It is best to candle, because eggs that aren't developing can go bad, explode, and kill any living eggs.

It's nerve-wracking though!

 

[pcreel]

Here's a silly question??
How long after the chicks are hatched will I offer food and water?
Also, will it be the normal chick starter crumble that i will offer.
Thanks for the help.

 

[hokankai]

Here's a silly question??
How long after the chicks are hatched will I offer food and water?
Also, will it be the normal chick starter crumble that i will offer.
Thanks for the help.

Have food and water in the brooder as soon as you take them out. I like to have the normal chick starter there as well as a mush (chick starter+water) to get them interested in eating, and I also add vitamins/electrolytes and a tablespoon of sugar to their water for an extra boost.

 

[pcreel]

Thank you for your replies

im so nervous about the hatch day. I hope they do well.

This is my second time. First time I only had two eggs and they were both quiters. Conditions were certainly not in their favor.
Should i stop turning on day 18, 19 or 20? I have 4 eggs from one day and 2 from the next day.

 

[hokankai]

Stop turning day 18. I hear they don't really even need to be turned after day 14, so I wouldn't be too worried. You want those chickies to get in the right position!

 

[patman75]

Not looking good. All the lighter color eggs had no development. I could not see into the darker eggs. Any tricks to candle with dark egg shells?

 

[Jmurph]

Not looking good. All the lighter color eggs had no development. I could not see into the darker eggs. Any tricks to candle with dark egg shells?

So a search..I think there is a picture using 4 flashlights at 90 degrees...I have Maran eggs...I started with 6. ONE I know is clear...huge difference! Other than that, it IS really hard to tell! I am leaving them and hoping for the best!

 

[hokankai]

When I incubate Marans eggs I'll be sanding the shell a little to allow for more water loss and make it easier to candle. Then I'll dip them in diluted betadine to act as a "bloom". That's what I hear works well.

On another note, I couldn't wait til tomorrow to weigh and candle my sizzle eggs (due the 10th, they are 2 days younger than the others) and their weight is RIGHT on track! They actually have lost 12-15% so they will be ready to undergo lockdown with the other eggs. Yay! I'll be bumping up the humidity since everyone else is right on track as well

 

[hokankai]

Oh, forgot to add my candling vids!


Little chick feet