The 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long

[karimw]

Quote:
Me either. I've always had very good hatches with it.

 

[Arielle]

Well, the 4 day long journey from Ohio to Pa with the USPS has left my Cochin eggs in delightful shape. The Barnies only had a 3 day journey so aren't quite as bad. I swear I think they play kickball with these packages in the mail sorting room. I've had them sitting upright all day, and it looks like I'll be hatching in egg cartons, at least until lockdown or reattachment. I had to do this last month. Around day 5 everyone had reattached, so I laid them down and all but 1 hatched. I just wish this could have been a little easier. Oh well, at least none were broken, so maybe they weren't playing kickball after all, probably just badminton.

THe packages go thru a big tumbler / sorter machine. Yup they do get kicked around until it is spat out onto the right belt. THat is per my post master.

I often ask for non-machinable handling, BUT the handlers do what they want. I think I have only had ONE package go non-machined and it took 5 days.

 

[Arielle]

Well my eggs showed up so I guess my first ever attempt at hatching will be this hatch along.

setting 15 eggs total in my new Octagon Advance EX

2 black copper marans
2 Wheaton marans
3 blue marans
3 americaunas
2 olive eggers
3 welsummers

 

[Arielle]

Good morning everyone! Set day is almost here Im very excited!

I have off of work today and so does DH and the kids have no school, we got a decent amount of snow last night. Im also babysitting neices and nephew today So my relaxing day off is now going to be loud crazy and spent playing out in the snow and picking up the neverending tornado of toys lol.

On a sad note I lost my favorite chicken yesterday she was only 1 year and 1 week old, she was an EE named Stella. It was so sad to find her especially because she wasnt sick that I could see on the outside so Im not sure what happened she was low or even bottom of the pecking order and I did seperate her flock into 2 different houses half went into the breeders house and half went into the layers house. Im thinking I accidentally took her pal also low on the pecking order and she seemed to have gotten depressed. Can they die from loneliness or depression?

On a happy note I candled my broodies eggs yesterday they were on day 4 but she was off the nest for a stretch so I grabbed my flashlight and a coat to throw over my head to try to get some darkness and at least 3 of the 5 are veining maybe even the other 2 though it wasnt very dark for candling. So that means my Marans Rooster is doing his job even with his awful limp. Im very excited.


Oh Boy I need some coffee Im gonna go make a pot and then trudge through the snow to my chickens/turkeys

Sorry you lost your fav EE Stella.

 

[chicken pickin]

Sorry you lost your fav EE Stella.

Thanks

 

[Arielle]

Can I join the fun? I can't wait to hatch some cute little chicks for Easter. I am going to be setting some Eng. Orps, OE, B/W AM, German New Hampshire, Marans and a few mixes just for fun. This will be my first time setting eggs under two broody hens, which I am a little nervous and excited about. Any pointers? It still seems a little chilly here in TN., but I ran out of room in the incubator.

How exciting!!

Have an incubator up and running as a back up unless they are proven broodies. Ipersonally have not had any girls quit the nest but I kept the incubator warm and ready ( and full of eggs!) anyway.

 

[michaelf]

Finally came and tested.... yay!!!!!

 

[Arielle]

I have the incubator going for 2 days now. I did some tweeking and have it ready for the noon set tomorrow. I will set around 48 eggs. First time with an incubator, hatched a couple with a heating pad probably 40 years ago. The grandkids are excited. HAPPY HATCH

 

[Arielle]

Quote:

Dont cha just luv Back Yard Chicken? I've learned so much too!!!

 

[Contrastphoto]

How exciting!!

Have an incubator up and running as a back up unless they are proven broodies. Ipersonally have not had any girls quit the nest but I kept the incubator warm and ready ( and full of eggs!) anyway.

That is a good idea. I have a second foam incubator I may leave plugged in just in case. I had a few broodies last year, but I took the egg from them before hatch. I got nervous they would hurt the babies. I know it should be the most natural thing, so I am going to let them be this time and hope for the best. I also want to get a photo for the broodies and their babies contest.