The 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long

[Smithyard Farm]

Thank you. I have made a dozen of them. Different kids but all of them have roosters. Lol

I love those! My grandmother used to make them for my mom.... wow - i havent seen one in years...! do you sell them?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I found another clear egg - one of the few Dominque eggs I set.

I'm a little confused about lockdown, and when to remove the eggs from the egg turner. I've read that it's the last three days, usually day 19-21. But, sometimes, they can start pipping on day 19, and you wouldn't want to open up the incubator and shrink-wrap the eggs. Since my eggs are in an automatic turner, they'll need to be removed before they start pipping, right? I'm thinking of putting them in egg cartons, since several people on here recommended that, if they've been incubated upright in the auto-turner.

I set my eggs on 3/9 around 1pm, so day 18 starts around 1pm Tuesday.
Should I remove the eggs from the turner on Tuesday or Wednesday?
The air cells all look great, so up the humidity starting Wednesday?
Thanks.

Getting really excited! Can't wait to see what these chicks look like!

Tuesday is day 17. Tues 26th- 9th = 17 days. The end of 18 days and start of day 19 for you is 1pm Wednesday. There's not a problem stopping turning and raising humidity a little early. I'll probably start lock down when Wednesday morning before leaving the house.

 

[misskeeter]

Chicks 10 and 11 hatched!

2 more pips... 3 eggs not pipped, but I float tested them and they were all rocking...
Day 24...

Definitely upping the temp next time.... Here's some cuteness!

 

[Wax Myrtle]

Somewhere, somewhen, I read someone's how-to for staggered hatching with a single bator/hatcher. I can't find it! :wail: Does anybody remember what I'm talking about, or know of a similar posting, or is willing to retype all that for me? :dimples:

 

[Maah]

Lots of posts to catch up on. Sorry for those that lost hens/chicks. Love the filly & broody pics, and newborn chick pics. Lovely crochet rooster towels too!
...................................................................................

I'm fairly worried about my easter eggers. I was concerned that "big daddy", our brahma roo, makes big babies and the EE eggs are not big eggs. Well... I candled a couple of them this morning and they are looking pretty crowded in there! There isn't much space left at all & they still have 4+ days to go.

I have a broody hen again! My black australorp, Jewels, has decided she wants babies. AND of course she decided the that highest nestbox (about chest high) right next to the door was the best place to raise a family. Ugh. I tried to move her to a box on the floor of the coop (under their ramp so it is dark and quiet), but it's still too close to the communal waterer for her tastes. I think later today I'll move the waterer, and block off the area under the ramp, and then after dark tonight I'll try to move her again. She's sitting on fake eggs right now. If I can get her settled in the new, lower, spot I'll put some silkie eggs under her. Of course our BR and NH hens thought the new nest box under the ramp was AWESOME. They loved it right from the start. They're not broody, but I could see their wheels turning. I hear broodiness is contagious. LOL. Sorry girls... the luxury suite is for Jewels. If you want to have babies I'll hook you up.

 

[noahsmom]

It's now Day 20

for me!
Still quiet in the incubator, I have been keeping the humidty steady the best I can and over night it steadied itself at 65% by itself oddly enough. I added water, but usually there is a drop throughout the night. Hoping all the chickies are OK, I'm hoping this evening I will see some sort of signs of life. Even a chirp, some egg rocking, anything would make me happy! lol A pip or chick would be even better of course.

 

[delisha]

It's now Day 20

for me!
Still quiet in the incubator, I have been keeping the humidty steady the best I can and over night it steadied itself at 65% by itself oddly enough. I added water, but usually there is a drop throughout the night. Hoping all the chickies are OK, I'm hoping this evening I will see some sort of signs of life. Even a chirp, some egg rocking, anything would make me happy! lol A pip or chick would be even better of course.

I am sure you will see something soon!

 

[yokohamamama]

had one determined to be with us early

 

[yinepu]

sorry if it's already been posted:

 

[Gardeningmama]

Thought a few of you may have experienced this with all the snow filled pics.

Love It!!

Chicks 10 and 11 hatched!

2 more pips... 3 eggs not pipped, but I float tested them and they were all rocking...
Day 24...

Definitely upping the temp next time.... Here's some cuteness!

I keep hearing about float testing the eggs. Can someone explain the process to me?? Cute chicks BTW!

Lots of posts to catch up on. Sorry for those that lost hens/chicks. Love the filly & broody pics, and newborn chick pics. Lovely crochet rooster towels too!
...................................................................................

I'm fairly worried about my easter eggers. I was concerned that "big daddy", our brahma roo, makes big babies and the EE eggs are not big eggs. Well... I candled a couple of them this morning and they are looking pretty crowded in there! There isn't much space left at all & they still have 4+ days to go.

I have a broody hen again! My black australorp, Jewels, has decided she wants babies. AND of course she decided the that highest nestbox (about chest high) right next to the door was the best place to raise a family. Ugh. I tried to move her to a box on the floor of the coop (under their ramp so it is dark and quiet), but it's still too close to the communal waterer for her tastes. I think later today I'll move the waterer, and block off the area under the ramp, and then after dark tonight I'll try to move her again. She's sitting on fake eggs right now. If I can get her settled in the new, lower, spot I'll put some silkie eggs under her. Of course our BR and NH hens thought the new nest box under the ramp was AWESOME. They loved it right from the start. They're not broody, but I could see their wheels turning. I hear broodiness is contagious. LOL. Sorry girls... the luxury suite is for Jewels. If you want to have babies I'll hook you up.

Funny, I never really thought about the rooster size as opposed to the egg laying size. That's definitely worth a mental note, Thanks! This is for your eggs!!

I got my first LF Broody this week, and I can't say I'm thrilled! Egg collecting has gone from a pleasure to lethal in one weeks time, LOL!

It's now Day 20

for me!
Still quiet in the incubator, I have been keeping the humidty steady the best I can and over night it steadied itself at 65% by itself oddly enough. I added water, but usually there is a drop throughout the night. Hoping all the chickies are OK, I'm hoping this evening I will see some sort of signs of life. Even a chirp, some egg rocking, anything would make me happy! lol A pip or chick would be even better of course.

This is the time when I pull up a chair, and pretty much sit by the incubator for 3 days. Eggs go into lockdown, Mom goes into lockdown.! I'm seriously considering my sanity in joining a hatch at Easter time when I have 4 kids, LOL! I can hear it now "Let's go hunt eggs Mom!" Me: " Just give me a few more minutes, I KNOW this chick will be out any minute now!!"