The 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long

[Wax Myrtle]

Just locked down! About two hours early, but I wanted to get it done before little people began stirring. Pulled one quitter I'd been suspecting for a while, there's a couple I still suspect, but was unwilling to pull. Was so glad to see almost all had good looking air cells, as I'd worried a little that they may be a touch small. Whoo hoo! Nose pressing time!

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I had no idea about this hatch a long, but by coincidence just happened to set some eggs in the incubator--and when I checked dates, they will be Easter babies.

We set 17 eggs. They are all barnyard mixes. Our incubator is homemade, and we moved it to a better location this year (our basement, instead of the garage) and wanted to test it to make sure it's working properly before we order those expensive Marans eggs I've been drooling over.

As far as hatch rate--if I get as much as 50%, I'll be thrilled. After all, first hatch in a homemade bator in a new location...

What fun!

 

[Maah]

I HEARD CHEEPING!!

Today is day 19. My guess is that my EE's are going to hatch early (day20?), and my BR's are going to be right on time possibly even late (at least that's my best guess by what I saw while candling. There was still space left in the BR's but the smaller EE's are fully dark)... and today I heard the tiniest, cutest, little CHEEPING!! No rush to come out kiddos... take your time & be healthy!

 

[yokohamamama]

well had to cull my early hatcher, realized too late he had membrane stuck to half his face think a lack of Oxygen hurt his brain oh well still have two serama eggs in lock down, gosh those suckers are hard to hatch!

 

[Gardeningmama]

Quote: I set three eggs early..To test the bator. It is new and wanted to b sure before I put in a large batch. The rest should be on time.
LOL! You all have me running to the bator thinking I'm gonna start hearing chirping any minute.

35 of 51 made it to lock down yesterday but some of those are suspect quitters. My temp dropped to 97 during the night. Does this mean trouble?????

I think you'll be fine.

Quote: It's day 19 for me too, and I gotta admit I'm praying for an Easter Miracle, that they'll all hatch out tomorrow. It would make my life so much easier, with planning for Church EE Hunt, 4 kids to shop for, AND My 9 yr. old & My Birthday fall on Easter this year. I had the worst stomachache yesterday, and I swear it's stress!

I had no idea about this hatch a long, but by coincidence just happened to set some eggs in the incubator--and when I checked dates, they will be Easter babies.

We set 17 eggs. They are all barnyard mixes. Our incubator is homemade, and we moved it to a better location this year (our basement, instead of the garage) and wanted to test it to make sure it's working properly before we order those expensive Marans eggs I've been drooling over.

As far as hatch rate--if I get as much as 50%, I'll be thrilled. After all, first hatch in a homemade bator in a new location...

What fun!

Can I ask about the red block in your Avatar? Some people on FB have been using it, and I'm curious as to what it means??

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Yes, I should have done that before lockdown. It's stablized at 46% on the Genesis hydrometer and 65% on the dig hydrometer, and I don't really want to open up the incubator again. So, I'll just see how the hatch goes, and hope that the humidity is within the acceptable range.

If today is only day 19 you would still have time to perform a quick salt test. Only takes a few seconds to take out hygrometer, few seconds to return after salt test. Personally I'm not so strict about "lock down" until there is a pip. And then if humidity starts to spike too much as they all are pipping and zipping I'll open the lid quickly to release a bunch of it.

Best of luck with your hatch.

 

[Gardeningmama]

well had to cull my early hatcher, realized too late he had membrane stuck to half his face think a lack of Oxygen hurt his brain oh well still have two serama eggs in lock down, gosh those suckers are hard to hatch!

So Sorry, that really sucks!

 

[misskeeter]

Okay.. took the duct tape "shoes" off the chickie, and I'm trying the band aid thing... She gets around better, but she's not trying to use her legs to hold herself up at all... she's just frog hopping all over the place now... I'm glad she has a lot of energy at least!

should I try to put the band aid higher to make her keep those "knee" joints straight? vet tape?

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Can I ask about the red block in your Avatar? Some people on FB have been using it, and I'm curious as to what it means??

It's to show support of gay marriage as SCOTUS takes up DOMA and Prop 8. Here's a video that explains everything. http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/human-rights-campaign-turns-facebook-red-18825312

(And in case it matters to anyone, I'm straight and married with two kids.)

 

[Jessshan8]

Checked on the little ones this am. 6 external pips so far no fuzzy heads yet but soon very soon!

Just a waiting game now.