The 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long

[mlm Mike]

Congratulations to all the winners! Way to go. Sorry for joyful though, no babies...this time..right? Good luck on your next hatch!

Again, thanks to all that did this hatch along. It was really fun. And, so many people willing to give help in any way they knew how. And, to encourage those that were unsure, then there were those that were sad for those of us that had a not so good hatch. (raising my hand) But, thankfully, I got 10 babies out of this hatch.

Until the next time! Which is??

Sorry you had a bad hatch.

For some of us the next hatch is here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...de-mayo-turkey-hatchathon-all-poultry-welcome

All poultry is welcome (truth be told, I'm sure turtles, snakes, and anything else that hatches is ok)

 

[Tammy N]

WOW Great Prizes and Awesome Job winners Big time Congradulations

 

[jbenson]

NONE of my eggs hatched! I got a new Farm Inovators circulating air 'bator, with automatic egg turner. I let DH adjust the thermometer- I think he measured it against a couple thermometers we had- one for the kids and also a digital meat thermometer. Too hot in there I think.

Plus, humidity very, very hard to keep constant. I think next time I need a decent thermometer, plus maybe dry incubate and only add water when it's time for lock down. I don't know. Very disappointed.

If anyone has used these FI incubators and has any advice please let me know.

On a more positive note, the weekend before Easter weekend I hatched 6 out of 6 eggs in my mini-Brinsea (which doesn't count for the hatch-a-long, of course). They're split black/lavendar Ameraucanas. Here are some photos:

I have a FI forced air circ bator with auto turner and had great success. I got it all set up and ran it for a full day before setting eggs to be sure I could get temp and humidity constant. I found that I had to place an additional thermometer inside on top of the eggs where I could see it through one of the windows in order to get an accurate reading of what the eggs were feeling. I kept it at 99.5 on top the eggs which fluctuated on the built in thermo on the cover somewhere between like 92 and 95. I also only put water in one of the side troughs in the bottom, (there are two 3" or so troughs on the sides and one sorta H shaped one in the middle.) And I left one of the vent plugs out completely and pulled the other and put it upside down covering about half the second hole. This kept it about 60% for me, but it was pretty dry here this winter. If you have a more humid area, I would imagine you could run it nearly dry. This last batch I've got going, the ambient room humidity is up, so I've got both plugs pulled out and just a little water in the one trough and I'm solidly between 50 and 60% humidity. The key for me was to get it set and then not touch it - at all - unless adding a bit of water or for candling. It looses a lot of temp quickly when the cover is off, but it seemed to regain it quickly. When candling, I removed my eggs to a carton and put the bator lid right back on to maintain my perfect eco-system and then quickly put them back when I was done.

 

[Tammy N]

Quote: My Farm Innovator with out the Turner gave me 100 hatch out of 110 Quail eggs kept great temp.If you do not want yours i need a top. My cats got excited over the Hatch and tried letting the hens out . Or i have a Hovabator with new the round thingy that now can be adjusted perfectly and it has a turner . Its awesome again i cant use it Cats get excited over the hatch LOL .

 

[michaelf]

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE !!! CONGRATULATIONS to all the Winners! I hope all you guys have a great day!

 

[CherokeeFlats]

Congrats to all the winners!! I can't wait till next years Easter hatch-a-long.

 

[uphilljill]

Congrats to all the winners and hatchers!

And another BIG thank you again to the organizers. Couldn't have had a successful first hatch without everyone's support and advice.

Our family loved the Easter chicks. I think we have a new annual tradition!

 

[Arielle]

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE !!! Happy Sunday!!! I just got done reading an article on the benefits of using natural local honey and cinnamon. Awesome! It can help lots of things from seasonal allergies, colds,arthritis, lower cholesterol, keeps veins from hardening, help prevent heart attacks,etc. Natural honey is high in some vitamins and minerals that our bodies can absorb easier, cinnamon is a natural antibacterial and antiviral,even said that after making a tea with honey and cinnamon it can lower cholesterol in blood 10 points in 2 hours. Who new?

Oh yea almost forgot. Been proven to cure some cancers! Just google "benefits of honey and cinnamon". I will be making me some honey cinnimon tea and drinking daily. The list of benefits is awesome. Things pharmaceutical companies do not want you to know!

IIN my house we go thru the large cinnamon in just a few months-- like the almost 1 qt size. TRying to get DH to raise honey bees . . . maybe next year!!

I was at a chicken sale yesterday, and the president of the group was talking at lengtha bout he effects of the gruicides used in lawn products how it disorients the honey bees and they don't make it home. THe result is that in just a few months the hive is empty with no caretakes. Very sad. In Europe the chemical is banned. We need to can it here too but Big Business rules. I wonder how people will feel when we dont' have enough food toeat because there are not enough bees to pollinate . . . just food for thought.

I love honey, used to buy it by the 5 gal pail!! Breads, drinks, honey and butter on toast = HEaven.

 

[LFchixranch]

The total chicks hatched for the Easter Hatch-a-long was 2,649


Congratulations ChooksChick!

You are the winner of the Guess How Many Will Hatch Contest!
with a guess of 2,691

​

grats

 

[karimw]

Congratulations to all the winners! Thanks to all who put in the work to pull this hatch off. It's been fun!