The 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long

[wolftracks]

Good morning, everyone!

Today's tip:

When candling early or candling dark eggs (like many excited participants will be doing) you can use a bright flashlight with a strip of foil wrapped around the beam, with black electrical tape on the outside. This helps keep the greatest amount of light inside, thus flowing through the egg. This also allows the collar to shape to the egg, which prevents that crack of light where most flashlights meet the egg- this crack of light keeps us from seeing as well as we otherwise might because our eyes can't fully dilate.

One more thing- our best vision is actually our peripheral sight, and thus if you look an inch or so to one side when you cant be sure you're seeing movement, you can actually tell whether there's movement a lot better!

Happy hatching, everyone! Off to the muddy mess that my breedery has become!!

This is the brooder my sweet husband made me yesterday!!!

Nicely done!!!




I woke up intending to toss the eggs that were due the 9th, but had peeping and humidity had dropped. I have 3 Lt Sussex out and a FBCM almost out, but yes I did have to help. Outer membrane was dry and tissue like I like it, but inner membrane was shrinking and suffacating them. One Lt Sussex zipped and died and looks otherwise really healthy. More eggs in there, so I'm watching and trying to get ready for my trip!

I have more to lockdown, but they're due the 17th and I'm worried I'll come back to dead chicks. I may or not candle the eggs for this hatch before I leave. Just looked at them and though "oh, not right now!" I also have about 100 eggs waiting to go in SOMEWHERE!!!

After going to the bank today I stopped at Walmart and bought 4 new thermometers. I think the ones from last year have pooped out and all the bators might be running to low. AGGGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!! All I need.

 

[Gardeningmama]

Can I tell you all I am frustrated!!! Since Saturday it seems I've been incubating my eggs at 100 degrees at the top of the eggs in the turner. Bought a new thermometer today that I measured against 3 others. All 3 were the same EXCEPT for the one I've been using. I love my Acurites, but with the turner I can't use them. I wonder how bad this is. I'm upping the temps now, but I'm almost betting I'm gonna have an Easter Day hatch, if not later.

 

[noahsmom]

Just finished Candling!!

I did get pics and video, but I just need to take the time to upload and then convert the vids to mp4 and then upload to youtube. They didn't turn out the best pics you can see the dancing embryos, but you can't see the veining or really make out the air cells either. My air cells did look ok with the naked eye though.

I think I already have a favorite, it's a white silkie he/she is so feisty in his/her egg! Just wanted to sit and watch it all day! If it hatches I will keep it regardless lol then probably be beat if it's a roo! Is it weird to already get a little attachment?

I started with 33 eggs:
18silkies (6white, 3blue, 3black, 4buff, & 2partridge.)
13 HRIR eggs
2 Silver penciled rocks

Right now I am seeing 24 developing & 2 RIR eggs I just absolutely can't see through the shells. So,14silkies & 11 HRIR's is what looks to be developing.
My SPR's look totally clear NOTHING going on what so ever, but I will let them ALL stay until lock down.

YAY! 14 MORE DAYS!

 

[QuailGuy88]

Just finished Candling!!

I did get pics and video, but I just need to take the time to upload and then convert the vids to mp4 and then upload to youtube. They didn't turn out the best pics you can see the dancing embryos, but you can't see the veining or really make out the air cells either. My air cells did look ok with the naked eye though.

I think I already have a favorite, it's a white silkie he/she is so feisty in his/her egg! Just wanted to sit and watch it all day! If it hatches I will keep it regardless lol then probably be beat if it's a roo! Is it weird to already get a little attachment?

I started with 33 eggs:
18silkies (6white, 3blue, 3black, 4buff, & 2partridge.)
13 HRIR eggs
2 Silver penciled rocks

Right now I am seeing 24 developing & 2 RIR eggs I just absolutely can't see through the shells. So,14silkies & 11 HRIR's is what looks to be developing.
My SPR's look totally clear NOTHING going on what so ever, but I will let them ALL stay until lock down.

YAY! 14 MORE DAYS!

I can't wait to see the pics and video

Anyways, I candled my 20 BO eggs today and it looks like most of them (the ones that I could see) are developing.

But most of them have damaged air cells, so hopefully they will settle and hatch out ok

Good luck on your hatch, hopefully your feisty chick hatches.

 

[QuirkySue]

It's taking all of my will power not to fiddle with the incubator or handle the eggs too much. My last (and first) hatch I only got 11 babies out of 30 and part of that may have been from being such a nervous mom. Good thing I have the chicks to keep me occupied!

 

[michaelf]

Good evening everyone!

 

[champer]

I have 37 egg in the bator, $et on 3/9. Computer all goofed up and can't load photo$ and keyboard not functioning properly. Gah!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[delisha]

I candled early and all are fertile..wow..now I am really excited.

 

[Cynthia12]

I candled early and all are fertile..wow..now I am really excited.

That's always good to see isn't it? I candled early on a few too..the lighter ones..and they were all fertile too..all 11 that were sent to me. Now, no quitters!! Right?

 

[Cynthia12]

I have 37 egg in the bator, $et on 3/9. Computer all goofed up and can't load photo$ and keyboard not functioning properly. Gah!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am wondering if your S isn't working?