Setting Thursday March 25.. Anyone want to join me??

[momiphouph]

I think Im being a worry wart but the humidity is at 68% and temp is 100. Im not so worried about the temp, I think it will go down again soon but should I be concerned with the humidity. And if I need it less how do I get it down without opening??? Im hoping it drops back closer to 65 but Im a bit concerned, since we are in Georgia that it may go up even higher... then I will worry. So Any thoughts???

What are the pros and cons of putting the eggs in cartons for lockdown? I have mine in an automatic egg turner now, but, I was thinking of putting them in the cartons for lockdown (when I remove the turner). I keep reading about chicks playing soccer with the unhatched eggs

Im new at this so I wont try to answer it for you, but I have seen a few posts on the subject, try a search. Happy hatching!​

 

[Daidohead]

Quote:
Im new at this so I wont try to answer it for you, but I have seen a few posts on the subject, try a search. Happy hatching!

68% @ 100* is just fine. I wouldn't even start to be concerned until the humidity gets to 75%-80% for a while. My last hatch did very well at 70-75%, as they hatched it bumped up to over 80%, when it hit 85% I vented it a little to get it back down to 75% or so.

Good luck on your hatch.

 

[GreenGoddess]

Day 17 here... Since i was using egg cartons to turn the eggs, I have decided to go ahead and take them out and place the eggs on their sides for the remainder of the day because everything i do with the bator changes the temp/humidity and I wanted to make sure I had all the kinks out BEFORE I officially started lockdown... I am also finding ways to keep the temp stable with all the screws in place to plug up the vent holes to keep more humidity in.. I am doing this by using a fan on the outside of the bator to blow cool air over the entire area.. This has helped a lot.. And if the temp starts to drop like it does early in the morning, I put a blanket over the top of the bator to hold more heat in.. I did not candle most of the eggs before I laid them on their sides but i did candle one that had a broken air cell.. I don't think it made it which don't surprise me but, I placed it back in the bator with a small section of egg carton to keep the aircell upwards.. I figured, maybe it was just resting or something.. I guess I will find out in a few days... I do have a few that are wiggling though so I have hopes this time... My son never got to see the eggs wiggle the last time we tried this so he was very excited to see that!

Goddess

 

[Why and Dotte]

I thought I saw a pip on one of my eggs but I didn't want to disturb my hen too much, I figured I'll find out soon! I'm trying not to always be out there checking on them, she's probably getting tired of me

Congrats on the fluffy butts!

 

[Daidohead]

I am officially locked down. I candled and am really bummed that I had to toss 5 of 8 of my BO eggs and 2 of 12 of my Barnevelders. I was really wanting the BO's to do well.

I wish all of you a very productive and happy hatch.

 

[KDbeads]

Couple of pics as promised:
Mama broody with 16 chicks, 9 silkies and 7 mixes

And the ones we want to decide on which to keep, 14 total with 6 silkies and the rest mixes, so far we are thinking the ee/silkie mix, 4 of the silkies (best toe separation and best foot feathering) and the 2 darker chipmunks for sure (cross fingers, hoping for olive colored eggs)

One of the mixes that will be staying for sure, EE/Silkie, Seven's very first egg, the roo involved is a splash silkie

 

[momiphouph]

aaahhh what sweet babies!!! Congratulations!!!

Daidohead - Thank you for putting my mind at ease.. whew... this waiting game is tough!

 

[Daidohead]

Quote:
The wait is more than worth it, enjoy

 

[MrsCluck]

What lovely pictures - lucky you I dont have silkies but a friend of mine has lavender hens hoping she will let me have some fertile eggs for the next hatch x.

OK I locked down 22 eggs from my 24 last night and increased humidity - took out dividers and sponge mat as per incubator instructions.

Now as this is my first hatch I have a few questions for you experts please.

1) I have a complete starter brooder kit and will get that set up and lamp on day before to get temperature right. It came with corrugated cardboard for the floor - is this all I put in there? If so but then needs changing do I keep to cardboard?

2) I have chick crumb but read you should feed grit after first week - just standard stuff or is there chick grit?

3) As my chicks hatch understand to leave them in the incubator for 24 hours to fluff up but also note some of yours take an extra coule of days - in this instance do I take out the fluffed up ones or leave in until all that are going to hatch hatch?

Sorry for so many questions but gettting anxious now and want to do my best for the little ones.

Thanks

 

[smchickfarm]

first, great pics KDbeads!! Thanks for sharing

Ok, I am also on LOCKDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Goddess, I watched for mine to move and nothing yet!!!!! Couldn't keep my eyes of the eggs this weekend!

Sure hope I get a good hatch!!!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!