The 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long

[QuailGuy88]

For the member that wanted to see my incubator set up for lockdown, here it is. They were already locked down, so I got pictures through the glass. Didn't have a chance to get more shelf liner.

16 Barnevelder eggs. (13 pure, 3 blue) The one in the upper right with the X on it I think is a quitter, but not positive enough to take it out.


3 welsummers (post office was not kind to these) and 1 black sex link (welsummer roo over BR hen)


Barnevelder egg from a different line that I want to band and keep track of how it grows out.


21 eggs in all for hatching.

Just a quick question. Why do you hatch your eggs in an egg carton instead of laying them on their side?

 

[Eggzausted]

only 31 going to lock down,high infertilty rate in eggs from someone else,(slow running rooster)

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote: Absolutely! I know nothing of hatching waterfowl.

Just a quick question. Why do you hatch your eggs in an egg carton instead of laying them on their side?

I have much better hatch rates hatching in cartons. This keeps the first chicks out from playing egg soccer. The last time I laid eggs on their side, I lost a full term chick to them kicking it around. It was an Orp and they are notoriously slow hatchers. I've hatched every time in cartons since then and they do much better this way.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Last Day to place your votes for the Photo Caption Contest!

To vote, go here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/756557/choose-a-winner-for-the-photo-caption-contest/0_50​

 

[Gardeningmama]

Its LOCKDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!! Woooooooooohooooooooooooo Im so excited I a can barely contain myself!.........YYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY Ok...maybe Im not containing myself. lol. Now is the time when I get crazy involved with the incubator. I can pretty much ignore it the first 18 days....Candle once, then again on day 18 to pull clears. Then I hit today and the next four days are going to turn me plum BONKERS!!!!!!! All these worries....questions...and silliness enters my head.... ie:

Is the humidity up to high?
Is the humidity down too low?
Should I turn on the humidifier? Turn off the humidifier?
Are my temps going to drop when the humidity goes up?
Wonder if that egg is too close to the sponge???
Cheep cheep cheep….*listen*… Cheep cheep cheep….*listen*…
Were the air sacs too big? Too small? Maybe I should take one last look.
No…NO…. NO touchy the bator….
Fine…Nose back to the glass….tap with finger….
Did I hear a cheap or are the outside birds confused and think its spring?

And on and on and on my thoughts go. lol

But its LOCKDOWN!!!!!!!!! YYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Yeah, What she said!

Quote: Absolutely! I know nothing of hatching waterfowl.

Just a quick question. Why do you hatch your eggs in an egg carton instead of laying them on their side?

I have much better hatch rates hatching in cartons. This keeps the first chicks out from playing egg soccer. The last time I laid eggs on their side, I lost a full term chick to them kicking it around. It was an Orp and they are notoriously slow hatchers. I've hatched every time in cartons since then and they do much better this way.

Probably a stupid question, but since I have to hatch 6 of mine upright this time, I'd like to know. If the egg is stationary in a carton how does the chick get out? I'm used to them sorta falling out sideways on the bottom. I just can't picture it.

 

[Eggzausted]

This may have been posted before but I just saw it,"Easy Way to Seperate Egg Yokes"

 

[QuailGuy88]

 

[Happy Chooks]

Probably a stupid question, but since I have to hatch 6 of mine upright this time, I'd like to know. If the egg is stationary in a carton how does the chick get out? I'm used to them sorta falling out sideways on the bottom. I just can't picture it.

They pop off the top, like this:



And then flop out, like this.


I think they have an easier time zipping because the egg is not rocking as they move inside the egg.

 

[cuppycake]

Out of 10 eggs set I have 6 in lockdown. I'm pretty happy with that number and I'll still be thrilled even if I only get one chick to hatch. There were/are a lot of things weighing against these little guys. It's my first ever time incubating eggs, since their parents aren't my chickens I'm not sure about their health and fertility, some of these eggs sat out in the barn for 24+ hours in freezing temps, and a couple of them had even been in the refrigerator. Considering that I just tossed in a bunch of eggs as an experiment, I'd say that I'm lucking out so far. Any chicks that hatch will definitely be considered "miracle babies" and will have a special place in my flock for sure.

 

[budmarvinfarm]

Well, first EE chick has made his/her entrance...many more peeping....
This is day 20 but, in the past they usually start early. Temp is always
just at 100 degree but, this has been normal to start early so I don't mess
with the gauge setting...Have 40 out of 42 in lockdown....2 where for sure spoiled
...can't see through thick dark shells so I give all a chance.
Some eggs may have gotten chilled in later Feb. so I don't expect a high
average of hatching..
Started 9 am March 7 ...good luck to other early setters!!!!!