Starting a batch tomorrow 1/25 anyone want to join me? Valentine hatch-along!

[McPhersonFarm]

Ok, I think I made a boo boo and need help LOL! I went to an auction last night and they had geese and pheasant eggs I couldn't resist and I'm scheduled to go into lockdown on Tuesday. So, my question is will the pheasant and geese eggs be ok the first week without being turned or should I get another incubator (I know this is how it starts HAHAHAH). My fiance said that he would try to make me one this week as he has an engineering degree and I think we can figure it out. I also, have to think that I have the pheasant eggs that are going to take 21 days and the geese eggs take 30..... OOOOPS. I wanted to start another batch but it looks as if even with two incubators that won't be possible???


Kat

 

[DraigAthar]

The eggs would really need to be turned, especially in the first week. It'd be really tough even to turn them manually while having other eggs in lockdown, because'd contantly be opening the incubator and losing your humidity just to turn the other eggs. So I'd suggest a second incubator. You could always hold on to the new eggs and not set them for a while. Depending on how long ago they were laid, they'll keep for 6-10 days before they even begin to lose viability. And even then the viability drops off slowly, you can still get a decent hatch out of eggs that are 2-3 weeks old.

 

[McPhersonFarm]

The eggs would really need to be turned, especially in the first week. It'd be really tough even to turn them manually while having other eggs in lockdown, because'd contantly be opening the incubator and losing your humidity just to turn the other eggs. So I'd suggest a second incubator. You could always hold on to the new eggs and not set them for a while. Depending on how long ago they were laid, they'll keep for 6-10 days before they even begin to lose viability. And even then the viability drops off slowly, you can still get a decent hatch out of eggs that are 2-3 weeks old.

Eeek I put the goose eggs in last night, so I can't take them out now without messing them up can I? ohhh what have I done! Time to go look at the home made incubator plans I guess!

Kat

 

[DraigAthar]

Eeek I put the goose eggs in last night, so I can't take them out now without messing them up can I? ohhh what have I done! Time to go look at the home made incubator plans I guess!

Kat

Technically you could, but it probably isn't the best thing to do. Eggs can be put on hold early on in incubation (technically, they start developing even before they're laid, and then stay on hold after being laid until momma starts sitting on them) and still survive, but I know I wouldn't risk it myself. But they do definitely need to be turned, a minimum of a few times a day. Leaving them a whole week without turning risks having the embryo get stuck to the inside of the shell as it develops.

 

[FromChictoChick]

We're in lockdown!

I'm using the Brinsea Eco Mini. I filled the water thing last night and the humidity dropped by this morning is it okay to open the brooder quickly to refill water to keep the humidity up?

 

[DraigAthar]

We're in lockdown!

I'm using the Brinsea Eco Mini. I filled the water thing last night and the humidity dropped by this morning is it okay to open the brooder quickly to refill water to keep the humidity up?

Well, you don't have any other option, really! Gotta get more water in there somehow. But yeah, this time of year my house is so dry I have to refill the water reservoirs every day during lockdown. I just try to get everything done quickly and only open it that one time, and things seem to go fine.

 

[McPhersonFarm]

I went into lockdown last night. I candled one last time and tossed 6 more :-( one was a late quitter that broke my heart his little beak and feathers. hopefully soon will have healthy happy chicks and ducklings

 

[DraigAthar]

Well, today is day 18 for me! Weighed all the eggs and 6 of the 20 were close enough to target weight to graduate to the hatcher in lockdown conditions. The other 14 need to lose a smidge more weight so I will weigh again tomorrow and move over anyone else who is in range. Fingers crossed! The last few days of waiting are the worst.

McPherson, I'm sorry to hear about your late quitters, especially the little sad one that broke your heart. I always try to tell myself that they were quitters for a good reason - maybe they were weak, or sickly, or whatever. That something went wrong beyond our control and it was probably less sad for them to die while still in the shell. I tell myself all that, but really it's never any less sad, is it? I will look forward to photos of your hatch!

 

[Blingaling1]

Lock down tonight!!! I'm about to candle and close er down. Going to be a long couple days......

 

[McPhersonFarm]

I'm excited I got my first pip!!!!

Since this is my first batch and my first pip I think that might be one spoiled spoiled baby!!!!