The 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long

[Kimbroe1981]

Good to know that it only takes that much to shoot the humidity up that far. I just hate to have to constantly open up the bator to add the water and mess the temp/humidity all up.

When i don't want to open up the bator I use a straw and stick it down the vent hole, then I put a little funnel on it and poor a little bit of water into the tray. That way I can leave the bator closed. I have a Genesis 1588 w/egg turner.

 

[Happy Chooks]

My eggs came yesterday! Easter Eggers, Black Australorps, and a White Leghorn. I candled them and both Easter Eggers had detached air cells. I have been doing a lot of research and after just one day they are looking better. Still, this is my first time so if any one has any comments that would be helpful.

If the air cells are dislodged, incubate them in the egg carton fat side up. Then just tip the carton by wedging something under one side. Tip an odd number of times per day.

Heres the dozen Pekin duck eggs I set. My Thermometer/Hydrometer has a jacked up screen lol...I can still kind of read it though.

Nice looking eggs! I still see room in that bator though.

count me in I have 12 turken eggs and 8 buff lace brahmas due in the week and will set them Mar 9th

Welcome!

Okay, call me naughty if you must, but I did it. I switched out all of the eggs under my broody for the Icelandic eggs I had in the bator, then put the eggs she's been setting on in the bator to watch them

I'll be setting an undetermined # of Barnevelders, and 12+ Barred Cochins. Small hatch. I am seriously considering keeping my EE hen locked up for a few days so I can get some of her pretty blue eggs to set. Quirky girl is the only hen of mine that refuses to lay in the boxes. Still haven't found her new hiding spot.

I was doing a small hatch too. But now I have 10 eggs saved up so far and have 36 arriving in the mail. Time to break out the BIG hovabator.

Those with auto egg turners, what do you do if you want to put a container or shot glass full of water in incubator? I tried bc even though I'm doing a dry hatch my humidity is going down to 16% ...always below 19%, their just isn't any room. Will a sponge last as long as a container? I don't want to keep having to open the bator up.

I don't worry about humidity too much, but you can add water with a bendy straw and a medicine syringe. Put the straw through the vent hole and you don't even have to open it.

 

[CowgirlHC]

we're in!!
setting 6!

 

[noahsmom]

When i don't want to open up the bator I use a straw and stick it down the vent hole, then I put a little funnel on it and poor a little bit of water into the tray. That way I can leave the bator closed. I have a Genesis 1588 w/egg turner.

If the air cells are dislodged, incubate them in the egg carton fat side up. Then just tip the carton by wedging something under one side. Tip an odd number of times per day.
Nice looking eggs! I still see room in that bator though.

Welcome!

I was doing a small hatch too. But now I have 10 eggs saved up so far and have 36 arriving in the mail. Time to break out the BIG hovabator.

I don't worry about humidity too much, but you can add water with a bendy straw and a medicine syringe. Put the straw through the vent hole and you don't even have to open it.

GREAT Idea!!! I'm trying not to worry to much, but isn't 16% getting a little low, even for "dry" incubation?

 

[Happy Chooks]

GREAT Idea!!! I'm trying not to worry to much, but isn't 16% getting a little low, even for "dry" incubation?

Honestly, I don't even measure my humidity for the first 18 days. You can add a bit, but don't stress over it. Temperature is far more critical. When I was new to incubating, I used to worry over everything. But then I had a hatch that made it through 3 major power outages and I still got most to hatch. Now I don't worry so much and I very rarely have any late quitters. Mother Nature is stronger than you think.

 

[cracrzy4chicks]

Just found out my 6+ Speckled Sussex are on their way to NY, from TN Ya hooooooooooo

 

[noahsmom]

Honestly, I don't even measure my humidity for the first 18 days. You can add a bit, but don't stress over it. Temperature is far more critical. When I was new to incubating, I used to worry over everything. But then I had a hatch that made it through 3 major power outages and I still got most to hatch. Now I don't worry so much and I very rarely have any late quitters. Mother Nature is stronger than you think.

Yes, I am an over worrier! I found myself reading the above and looking where you are from and thinking well, her humidty probably stays a little higher than mine because of where she is living anyway... lol

I'm so confused on what to do, However I did have SO's dad "an old timer who has hatched with a bator before over the years" tell him to tell me to add no water until the last few days! lol So, I guess that should tell me something to, right.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Wow 15! That is a goodly number!! THose hens are like a rock -- they hardly move--did find one nesting in a stall and left her there. Vermin would have to get by my broodmare-- and she hates dogs. All dogs.

My EE is a tiny thing!! Guess 13 is all she could manage. I do wonder how many of them were her chicks, seemed like a mixed bag and two are olive eggers.I didn't think she laid a blue egg. I so need to trap nest to see who is laying what!!

 

[Wisher1000]

Morning Peeps!

I have a question (or three.) I have recently acquired a second bator that I intend to use as a hatcher. My thought was that I can keep the cooker-bator cleaner and have plenty fo time to sterilize the hatcher between batches. I have never had a separate hatcher so I am testing new water here.

Tell me your thoughts on hatching on their sides vs in a carton, humidity levels you use for hatching only, what you line your hatcher with (if anything) and any other tips and tricks you use to have a successful hatch!

 

[noahsmom]

Just found out my 6+ Speckled Sussex are on their way to NY, from TN Ya hooooooooooo

YAY! I really love THIS

Smiley ..It really sums up how I am truly feeling sometimes over these chickens, luckily I'm not acting it out in real life though. lol