She said/He said Who's right? Who's wrong? No one!

[lazy gardener]

Thanks, I read it. A few differences - they weren't using shipped eggs and working with a specific problem of possible air cell damage and they were laid on the sides. There was too much variation in results between the 4 experiments. As presented the time frames are too narrow (why 4 to 7 days and not 4 to 8) unless this was based on other research. They have a theory started, and need to redo the experiment another 100 times before they can conclusively state anything. And why did they ignore the first 3 days? I might have missed something. To be on the safe side, in the future I will start the turner on Day 4. Who's right? Who's wrong? No one.

All good experiments gotta start somewhere!

 

[scflock]

All good experiments gotta start somewhere!

Good day to be sentimental

Well, by now most anyone who has been on BYC for any amount of time has it figured out that people do things differently. People have different philosophies. And though we may disagree with someone else's methods, that does not mean their method is WRONG. If a method is working and a person is happy with their results, then that's what they should be doing. As long as it's good for the hatcher and the chicks that's what counts.

Some of us acknowledge that there are different ways to do things and we encourage others by showing BOTH sides to what we do and don't do so that the new hatcher can find their comfort zone and not be scared to experience things for THEMSELVES.

So, for a little fun and to show differences in hatch techniques, philosophies and even equiptment, @scflock and I have decided to start a thread and are in preparation in the next two - three weeks (hopefully) to have a hatching match. We are almost as different as night and day in our hatching, yet we have similar results. So we thought we'd have a little fun with it and go head to head in the thread. We'd also like to hear other's inputs on what they find works/doesn't work for them. This thread is meant to be an entertaining mesh of philosophies and practices not a place to argue and get personal, so if you can keep it light and fun, please join us for our "differences match". Now it's time to meet the oppponents:

In the "blue corner" we have sc "set em and forget em" flock. Armed with his Brinsea, SC has a conservative hatching view. No touchy after lockdown and keep that bator closed. No, he will not aid in the hatch of a chick (unless under rare circumstances) and those babies aren't getting out of there for a couple days after hatch! Sorry guys, make yourself comfortable, you're there for a while.

In the "red corner" we have Amy, "The Humidity Queen". Struggling with her ancient little giant 9200 (fan forced at least) she has a more liberal outlook on hatching. (Maybe it's because she is usually sleep deprivated during hatch from the constant monitoring of that LG incubator she is using.) Whatever the reason, lockdown is as normal a time to do "last" candle and marking eggs, take out the turner- if she is using it, lay those babies down and step back. But hands off?? Oh no, The Humidity Queen could also be called "The masked meddler". This hatcher is not hands off. Humidity is up and she is ready to remove chicks as they hatch and get them in the brooder. Grab out those shells and flip that pipper over! If there's trouble in the air, don't worry, she's there to aid the little guy that's stuck.

This should be an eventful match (once we get it off the ground.) The red contestant just needs a couple weeks to get oragnized and for her newly housed pullets to get organized and back on the laying consistantly plus a couple more weeks of size consistancy wouldn't hurt either, so meanwhile, join the discussion and tell us what you've found that works for you.

Sorry, Amy

 

[dan26552]

Love the setup SC. Hoping to move in the spring and when I do I'm going to make a permanent setup something like yours. I'm excited to see Don's setup.

And it looks like the SLW is a bantam version.

Thats what I was thinking

 

[snowbird]

Sidewing, Yes, that is a three hole box. I have three different two hole and one six hole. These are a must if you plan on showing birds. Don

 

[snowbird]

AMY, we use the GQF Sportsman incubators and a 1200 Brower. I also have a few of the GQF styro I never try and tell anyone how to Hatch their eggs or how to take care of their Birds. My motto is you buy the feed and take care of them so do what ever makes you happy. Now if anyone ask I will explain how we hatch eggs. Don

 

[scflock]

AMY, we use the GQF Sportsman incubators and a 1200 Brower. I also have a few of the GQF styro I never try and tell anyone how to Hatch their eggs or how to take care of their Birds. My motto is you buy the feed and take care of them so do what ever makes you happy. Now if anyone ask I will explain how we hatch eggs. Don

Ok, how do you hatch eggs and on what scale. Are you hatching 100s, 1000s at a time?

 

[Joyryder]

A question for the blue team - What is the range you like the humidity to be prior to lockdown?

 

[scflock]

A question for the blue team - What is the range you like the humidity to be prior to lockdown?

Depends on the incubator. Seems like most styro users like a lower humidity, but in the Octagon 20 my best results have been 40-42%. Much higher than 45% and I have drowned them, and my only sub 80% hatch rate I incubated at 35% and had a 50% hatch rate

 

[snowbird]

Quote: SC, even now after downsizing we will still at times have over 2000 eggs in the process. I always use a seperate hatcher. I never Hatch and Incubate in the same machine. I only candle one time on the 18 day before they go into the hatcher. I know nothing about lockdown as I will open the hatcher if there is a reason. First 18 days 40-45 for Humidity and 60-65 in the hatcher and this can be altered if necessary. I run the incubator on 100 degree and also the Hatcher.

 

[scflock]

SC, even now after downsizing we will still at times have over 2000 eggs in the process. I always use a seperate hatcher. I never Hatch and Incubate in the same machine. I only candle one time on the 18 day before they go into the hatcher. I know nothing about lockdown as I will open the hatcher if there is a reason. First 18 days 40-45 for Humidity and 60-65 in the hatcher and this can be altered if necessary. I run the incubator on 100 degree and also the Hatcher.

Your parameters are very similar to mine, but I'm only hatching 24

.
I can't imagine hatching on that scale, but I can see how I could get to that point. Are you hatching with a specific goal percentage of keepers in mind, or are you just getting as many feet on the ground as you can to cull from. Another question that I have always wanted to ask you is about your culling. Is a cull an automatic kill, or will you sell less desireable birds? Does the severity of the fault determine sell vs. kill?