The 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long

[ChooksChick]

Quote:
If you use something hard and blunt and tap until you get breaks in the top of the egg, you can carefully go into north pole and not damage anything if there's someone still going inside. try to make as small a hole as possible right at the top so you won't interfere with their own progress should someone be in there alive. Use a flashlight to see if there's movement to the membrane, and use a wet q-tip to dampen it to see the veining, or lack thereof, if you can't be sure about the movement. Good luck! Generally I see them solid dark when they've pipped internally and can't make the external break.

 

[ChooksChick]

Sorry about the Sportsman Renee. Mine is ancient. Made of wood. I once dropped a broom or mop next to mine and didn't even think about that wingnut. That sucker is hard to turn, so I have no idea how it moved, but 4 hours later the temps were really low.

That being said, I've been having late hatches, no matter what incubator I'm using. I guess if anything is going to hatch, it will be between now and monday. I also have 10 quail in there. those sucks are practically hatch proof and nothing from them either.

I know, right?? It never occurred to me there would be a massive hike like that...I'm only half tortured with known losses right now...I still have to find out what happened with the other set of 200+in there. Criminy. This machine is solid as a rock, but only as good as its operator, I guess.

 

[luvmyEs]

You can't Give up it took me 3 times to get it right and that 3rd time I was at 100% Hatch rate, 10 eggs 10 Chicks.

Congratulations! I will give it one more go and see.

If I recall correctly, the humidity should be much higher for duck eggs, about 55% (relative humidity) during first 24 days then 80+ during lockdown.

Good to know for next time. Thanks!

What type of incubator are you using? I have a still air LG, I am hatching out ducks (Pekin) for the first time, I kept my humidity between 40-50% the whole time til lockdown, All but one made it to lock down, I have it at 60% now and have some pips. I have a still air incubator and kept my temps around 102 during incubation (but its an LG so really they were all over the place). What type of ducks are you trying to hatch?

It is a Hovabator 1588 and I was trying to hatch Khaki Campbells.

 

[scottyboy1975]

O.k. time for my update.....I set 24 on the 9th and 18 made it to lock down. Out of those I had three quitters. So right now I have all remaining eggs hatched. That gives me 15 chicky's. All done now and just waiting for them to dry off and move them to the broader.

 

[ImpulsiveFarmer]

Thank you...Here are the pics of the chickens and the pics of the eggs...The pic looking away from the chicken coop is a pic of another roo that they keep loose and a duck if you can see it, it's a breautiful roo to But, the one on the ground is just gorgeous to me.. I know not the best, but I didn't go in with him to get better pics.. Appreciate, any thoughts, thanks.

I spy what looks to be a buff orpington roo and a rr roo. Some golden comet (red sex links) hens, rr hens, BO hens and maybe a barred rock hen, um and a white leghorn or two.

 

[18Peeps]

If you use something hard and blunt and tap until you get breaks in the top of the egg, you can carefully go into north pole and not damage anything if there's someone still going inside. try to make as small a hole as possible right at the top so you won't interfere with their own progress should someone be in there alive. Use a flashlight to see if there's movement to the membrane, and use a wet q-tip to dampen it to see the veining, or lack thereof, if you can't be sure about the movement. Good luck! Generally I see them solid dark when they've pipped internally and can't make the external break.

It is solid and dark. He/she is in there. No pipping. I accidentally punctured the membrane (oh no!), no breathing. I see the chick's feathers. No movement, no appearance of breathing. It appears to still be inside its yolk sack...would I see breathing if it were alive, yes? Also, even though it's a teeny tiny hole at the north pole, it appears to be the back end of him/her.

 

[RedBugPoultry]

Someone probably already directed you to page 1. You set 49 eggs.

Yes, thank you! All 29 still doing good....

 

[Gardeningmama]

Hey All!

Stopping in really quick to update: 3 Barnies, 1 EE, 2 Mixes out!

4 pips, and Finally 1 of the 6 in the egg carton with bad air cells has pipped!!! I was so worried about them, so a huge relief! Still gonna be a long night! Back to dying eggs.

 

[Amyable]

0/33 for me. A wonky thermometer doomed my whole hatch. Bleh.

 

[michaelf]

Taking our boys to watch G.I.Joe 2 for there Easter present from us. In 3 D also

awesome movie!!!