The 5th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!

[Sally Sunshine]

How do we enter the contests ?

Each contest will have its own thread and all info and rules will be posted on that Thread. When we open a new contest it will be announced here and also a link will be provided on the OP (original post) of this Hatchalong thread!


I am fairly sure our first contest will start soon!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Question: Can I stagger eggs in my incubator? If so, how does that work with the humidity setting when one group is due to hatch, but another group in there isn't? I have 20 eggs due to hatch on the 17th - but another 20 not due to hatch until a week later.... will the last 20 be ok with higher humidity setting for a few days?

You should really have a hatcher and separate them, it can be done but you need to really think about the weight loss of each batch of eggs. I know some who do this alot, hoping they help you out! Good luck!

 

[chicken pickin]

You should really have a hatcher and separate them, it can be done but you need to really think about the weight loss of each batch of eggs. I know some who do this alot, hoping they help you out! Good luck!

I agree with this. I do staggered hatches a lot but I have 2 incubators, one for incubating the eggs and the 2nd one for hatching. That way you can pretty much set eggs all the time and then move the eggs ready to go into lockdown into the hatcher, once the chicks hatch move them to the brooder, give the hatcher a cleaning and them move the next batch of egg into it when they are ready to go to lockdown. I like this method because it allows you to always be set eggs and not limit you to a once a month hatch.

 

[SilkieSensation]

Question: Can I stagger eggs in my incubator? If so, how does that work with the humidity setting when one group is due to hatch, but another group in there isn't? I have 20 eggs due to hatch on the 17th - but another 20 not due to hatch until a week later.... will the last 20 be ok with higher humidity setting for a few days?

To stagger hatch using only 1 bator for incubation, lockdown & hatch: keep humidity as low as possible for as long as possible. Raise humidity late day 19 or at first pip or peep. As soon as last chick hatches, pull chicks & shells (chicks can dry under brooder lamp as long as they have their feet under them), lower humidity until next batch. You can stop turning the younger batch of eggs during hatch, or if you feel you must turn, mist the lid of the bator with water to immediately jump humidity back up after turning as quickly as possible. Do not leave auto turners run during hatch. Babies can get stuck in them.

 

[CibolaChooks]

Will you be joining us then? 

yes im joining

 

[ronott1]

Question: Can I stagger eggs in my incubator? If so, how does that work with the humidity setting when one group is due to hatch, but another group in there isn't? I have 20 eggs due to hatch on the 17th - but another 20 not due to hatch until a week later.... will the last 20 be ok with higher humidity setting for a few days?

Yes you can! Wait until you see the first pip and then raise humidity or wait until day 19.

If using an egg turner, remove enough turning rails to set the eggs in cut down egg carton. Try for the lower level of humidity--65%.

The eggs will be ok but after the first 20 hatch, Measure the air cells to make sure they are the correct size.

You should really have a hatcher and separate them, it can be done but you need to really think about the weight loss of each batch of eggs. I know some who do this alot, hoping they help you out! Good luck!

A still air from a Feed Store is perfect for use as a dedicated hatcher.

 

[Gardeningmama]

 

[mlm Mike]

Well I am planning on setting some eggs under one of my silkies/bantams if there broody around that time if this even counts

A broody counts!

 

[chickenlisa]

I am joining this Easter hatch-a-long also! I just bought Cowgirl's rare bird egg assortment to be shipped on the 15th...so I ought to have them by the 19th and ready to go in my bator. I don't have any of my girls acting broody yet, but maybe by then We're in NJ and have had deep snow, topped by thick ice since early February. I'm lucky my birds are laying eggs at all. It's been such a long winter, I'm excited by the thought of hatching cute little fuzzbutts again...Spring is hopefully not too far away!
Lisa

 

[Arielle]

Quote: I have plucked in my kitchen already.. You do it over the trash can and have some water in a bowl or bucket near by to get some of the feathers off your hands.
DO you have a supersized gigantic plastic tarp on the floor??

Good morning everyone... Kids are off school today due to snow. I really don't understand why though.... We are lucky to have two inches that fell overnight....

THe storm pushed south so we got NO snow for this event. 1-2" is the worst possible amount to deal with. GIve me 5" or 0" but nothing in between.

Quote: THanks for the temp-- I was taught to use boiling water when handplucking, but always eager to learn other methods.

hahaa- yes he down feathers stick, I have learned to feel for the feathers still attached as well as look. A bucket for dunking has helped deal with the issue but only OUTSIDE as water goes everywhere.

I hate processing in the winter. I'll say it again, I hate proessing in the winter.

( Sorry this is a difficult topic for some of our readers but once you have a home grown chicken roast, you will never go back to Perdue. Well, I do, as I like all chicken. lol)

Question: Can I stagger eggs in my incubator? If so, how does that work with the humidity setting when one group is due to hatch, but another group in there isn't? I have 20 eggs due to hatch on the 17th - but another 20 not due to hatch until a week later.... will the last 20 be ok with higher humidity setting for a few days?

Every time the humidty is raised,t he remaining eggs slow down on their drying process. Can be done with lots of experience, and poor hatching rates until you get your best managementpractices in place. THis is why I use TWO incubators: one very large as an incubator, and another, like the LG for a hatcher. EasyPeasy!!