The 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long

[Sally Sunshine]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/745339/2013-easter-hatch-a-long-short-story-contest​

ITS ENDING MONDAY!
Who doesnt need free feed!
ENTER NOW!​

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Contest #2​

2013 Easter Hatch-a-long​

"Short Story Contest!"​

We’re looking for short stories!
Think you can write a winning story about “Why you love hatching chicks” in less than 750 words?
Enter the Short Story Competition for your chance to win!
A panel of Judges will determine which story quality justifies a winning place.

ENTRY DEADLINE
March 25th, 2013 Midnight PST

PRIZE

http://www.nutrenaworld.com/products/poultry/naturewise-poultry

$65 worth of FEED!
In the form of manufacturer's coupons that may be redeemed for FREE bags!​

 

[noahsmom]

I would relax, knowing everything's goovy

If I was going to do anything I would pull all the extra thermometers out and then go have a cup of tea.

You are probably right, I cant help to hover though!
Tea sounds wonderful! I actually ordered some loose leaf from adagio, teavana and silver needle from enjoying tea I think I may take your advice. This hatching stuff makes me want to pull my hair out already.

 

[delisha]

Ok, here is my Day 14 candling report... It turned out pretty much as I expected, I ended up with quite a few clears from the main coop with the 2 yr old Delaware rooster. I think it was just too cold and too early in the spring, plus he had 32 hens to get around to. The Easter Eggers are doing GREAT, only 1 clear out of 18, and one blood ring

. I saw several moving embryos in the others.

Here is the breakdown...


From 16 Delaware Eggs - 3 ALIVE, 1 possible quitter, 12 tossed as obvious clears

From 18 Easter Eggers - 13 definitely ALIVE, 3 slightly ? but I think are alive, and 1 Blood ring (very early death), and 1 clear

From 2 EE/BlueCopperMarans - Both definitely ALIVE!!!

From 10 misc Delaware X - 9 clears and 1 ALIVE (this is a Delaware roo over Red Star hen)

Total - 23 culled, 4 questionable but left for now, and 19 ALIVE!!!

4 days till Lockdown!!!!

Question - Anyone know if there would be a problem in feeding the culled clear eggs to our dogs after hardboiling them? My sister uses hardboiled eggs in the raw meat dog food she makes for our dogs, and she would like to make use of these if possible.

I feed the eggs back to the chickens. Eggs have enough vitamins and nutrients for a chicken and they need the extra selenium during egg laying season.

Help!
Eggs are in lock down and hopefully I can make this make sense. I have 3 extra thermometers in my incubator, One is a Accurite thermometer/hygrometer, one is a regular thermometer and the other is a accurite thermometer. The hovabator itself is reading 99, the plain thermometer is reading 99 and the accurite thermometer is reading 99. However, the thermometer/hygrometer combo is reading 97%! Each thermometer is sitting in a different corner so I can get a reading all over the bator, the thermometer/hygrometer combo is in the farthest right corner.
ALSO, The hovobator itself is reading 44% humidity and the thermometer/hygrometer is reading 55% humidity, I notice it stays ALWAYS 10 degrees difference.

What would you think? Do? I candled and every single one has movement, 3 did not but one I couldn't even see in but do see proper air cell, veining, fullness where the chick should be etc,.. and the other two I just didn't see movement and I was in a hurry because I know their temp was dropping quick. I'm so close, don't want to mess this up. Getting so nervous and worried with the temp craziness I've had the last few days I could lose them.
Do you think I should open QUICKLY and switch thermomters around and see what readings I get? Just to be sure.

Pull out all the thermometers and leave it be. You know your hovobator is off by 10% humidity..use that. The temp is fine.

Quote: I agree 100%..don't make it more frustrating and harder than it already is. Enjoy it.

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Still just one chick... No progress on the two that pipped around 4:30 this morning.... Nothing from the others. I pulled one out really quick and candled.... Still lots of veining... Definite movement though.... Didn't want to lose humidity (I ha the hot shower running in the bathroom where the incubator is located) .... Didn't check any others.... Gonna just pray it works out....gotta buy new thermometers.... This was obviously off....

How long do I wait before attempting to assist the pips from 4:30? It's been 10 hrs

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

See if this series can help you.

 

[Gardengirl73]

well I had a mircale hatch today

on day 14 I candled eggs and accidently broke one(craked the shell at the top), in an effort to save the developing chick, I dampened a piece of paper towel and smoothed it over the egg, in the bator the paper towel dried slightly and stuck to the egg nicely. today day 23. the egg finally hatched and a healthy baby cochin is now chirpping away in the bator

i am amazed!

That is amazing! Congratulations!

 

[ChooksChick]

Quote: Somewhere I have a cheat on hatching Marans in humid areas...that's generally the issue when folks have problems. Let me look about a bit and I'll post it.

although now that i look at the pictures side by side, the lighter chicks dont have as a distinguished stripe as my chicks do.. now i am questioning my guess lol
here are two pictures from a google search of "bielefelder" and i am thinking maybe the hatchery is right... i guess i just have to wait and see what they grow up to look like.

I pegged it right when you posted your pic days ago- totally Bielefelders. You PM me if you have any to get rid of, even if it's just a spare roo.

So, swallowed my fear of moving developing eggs and took them a dozen at a time in a carton into my windowless bathroom for day 14 candle. I still can't really see veins unless they are biiiiig, but I was able to clearly see folded baby chicks! And lots of twitching babies, so who cares if I see veins! Lol The two questionables from day 10 were pulled - and I rightly called them bloodrings/early quitters when I opened them. Starting to feel a bit chuffed on my keep or toss candling skills. Lol

Good job! Remember to use a foil or electrical tape collar to make sure no light leaks around the flashlight, and also, look a bit to the side so your peripheral vision can catch the image. It works, really!!

Ozexpat, You'll be wanting to click this link for the sound of your little bustard...just say 'toot' or something...I can't stand the 'f' word.

If you're really in the mood for a good groove and hilarity, click this link! Talk about the funky chicken!!

 

[gryeyes]

Ozexpat, You'll be wanting to click this link for the sound of your little bustard

:cd

<I><*snort!*></I>
Oh MY! Although a tooting rooster might be a good method of combatting neighbor complaints, I think I would be unable to function with one of those in my flock. I'd be falling over laughing all the time. And I don't get back up again very easily.
<I><*wiping tears from my eyes*></I>
Luckily, I am ensconsed in my Enchanted Recliner, where I am safe. (At least from falling...)

 

[Wax Myrtle]

Somewhere I have a cheat on hatching Marans in humid areas...that's generally the issue when folks have problems. Let me look about a bit and I'll post it. Good job! Remember to use a foil or electrical tape collar to make sure no light leaks around the flashlight, and also, look a bit to the side so your peripheral vision can catch the image. It works, really!! :yiipchick

Watching for *any* high humidity tips - I'm in coastal SC, and in season the humidity is fierce. I actually have the GQF candler - not thrilled, tbh. That sucker gets hot! It does have the flexible collar, but I'm paranoid about cooking while candling. It was burning my hand by the time I got done. My DH collects flashlights, so I'm going to rummage for a 100+ lumens LED and propose a trade with him. I did actually try the field of vision trick, but my first ever pair of bifocals just didn't cooperate! Thanks for the response!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/752768/2013-easter-hatch-a-long-contest-8-flapper-contest


Contest #8
2013 Easter Hatch-a-long



"Flapper Contest!"

Post your best Fowl Flapping in action!
All fowl flappers accepted, NO Staging photos, birds must be on their feet!
No more than 3 entries per contestant!
Our BYC Judges will choose 10 finalists, and then YOU vote for your favorites!

3 entries per contestant

ENTRY DEADLINE
Wednesday, March 27th, 2013 Midnight PST
Voting will BEGIN Friday, March 29th,2013
And will CLOSE Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013 Midnight PST

1st PRIZE
Hatching Eggs!
Donated by ChooksChick
6+ Chocolate/Mauve Ameraucana project eggs
You can see pics and info on this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/746646/chocolate-mauve-ameraucana-color-project-beakhouse/0_100


2nd PRIZE
Hatching Eggs!
Donated by ChooksChick
6+ Chocolate Orpington


3rd PRIZE
Hatching Eggs!
Donated by ChooksChick
10+ Blue/Black/Splash Mottled Bantam Cochins​

 

[Sally Sunshine]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/756557/choose-a-winner-for-the-photo-caption-contest

"Photo Caption Contest!"





VOTING ENDS Wednesday, March 27th, 2013 Midnight PST

1st PRIZE
Hatching Eggs!
Donated by debs_flock
Either a full dozen of the following Breeds:
Golden campine, Silver Lakevelder, Icelandic, New Hampshire, BC Marans, Bantam BR, bobwhite/coturnix quail. Or mix with hen's choice: WCB LF polish, SL bantam polish, Olandsk dwarfs, serama (frizzle & smooth), silkie/showgirls & Cream Legbar.

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2nd PRIZE
Chicken Health for Dummies!
The newest book in the family of books co-authored by Rob Ludlow (Nifty-Chicken)
Everything you need to care for and keep happy, healthy chickens!
Also available in the BYC Store! Click Here for BYC Store!





3rd PRIZE
1 year BYC Golden Feather Membership!​

Here are a few of the initial upgrades you’ll get as a Gold Feather Member:
1. Double PM storage space
2. 10 Times more image storage space on BYC’s servers
3. A new title: Golden Feather Member
4. or The ability to choose your own custom title
5. Your username highlighted on the BYC Forum index and within forum threads.
6. First peek at new features and specials
7. Access to a private forum to discuss new features and specials.
Also Available in the BYC Store! Click HERE for BYC Store!