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

[mlm Mike]

Jelly bean guess = 296
Unless my kids get to the jar before you count them.

Please enter your guess in the contest thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...lly-beans-5th-annual-2014-easter-hatch-a-long

 

[Pozees]

Humm, empty quote, okay - anyway, had to say, Mrs. Oz rocks, and so glad she will be winging her way to you on Friday! Sorry about the dehumidifier, I know exactly how that stuff happens though - it's in your head so you just assume it's in hers.

Since this is my first time incubating, I'm wondering - does *everyone* see eggs wiggling or hear chirping before hatch day? Or is that more of a rare occurrence? So excited for this weekend to come! Although I still have to set up my brooder and get that ready. Otherwise I have all my supplies I think. OH except I need a bottle to screw on my nipple waterer and figure out how to hang that. Also need to get some puppy pads and make sure I have enough paper towel for the first day or two.

How's everyone else getting ready for hatching this weekend?

Once internally pipped you often hear chirping, not so much the wiggling, at least not here.

 

[MontanaDolphin]

Couple questions, folks.

My son just let his juvenile box turtle go that was in a 10 gallon aquarium, so it is now free for whatever I want...what a good mini brooder that would make, I thought to myself! Here's my problem. I have a smaller heat lamp, I tried using a 60 watt bulb, and the temp inside the aquarium soared to over 120 degrees. So I tried one of those newer twisty lookin' bulbs, and it wouldn't rise above 80. Does anyone use an aquarium as a small brooder? If so, what kind of bulb do you use to make sure it's not too hot, and not too cold?? BTW, there is no way for me to raise the lamp.

Second question. I've noticed over the past few days my bator keeps getting hotter. I've had to turn the dial down almost two whole turns since it started. Is this because, now that the chicks are getting bigger inside the egg, they are producing more heat which rises the temp inside the bator? Or is my thermostat going bad or something?

Final question. I just had a friend of mine give me a hovabator (the styrofoam kind) she doesn't use anymore. Is this something I could use as a 'hatcher'? If so, could someone explain to me how to use a hatcher? I know that sounds like a silly question, but I've never had/used one before, so if someone could tell me all about how to use a hatcher and when, I'd appreciate it. Oh, and explain it to me as if you're trying to explain to a 1st grader LOL.

 

[ddhyland]

This morning I decided to go ahead and put my 4 eggs in lock-down. I had set eggs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for this hatch. When I candeled this morning there was nothing buy chick and air cell, so pulled all the questionable ones (they were all definitely quitters

) which left me with the 4 possible hatching eggs. Just went and looked and 2 are wiggling around a lot. Does this mean they might hatch soon? Which is very early, so definitely had high temps during this hatch, right?

 

[Penny Hen]

Oh my. I got tired just reading what your days consist of! I hope you at least like the new job!

I do like the job. Now if I can just remember where I put the 2700 lumen bulb I bought to be able to see into those OE eggs!

 

[BirdyGirl7198]

NEW CONTEST ENTER HERE: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...lly-beans-5th-annual-2014-easter-hatch-a-long

[SIZE=18pt]5[SUP]th[/SUP] Annual 2014 Easter Hatch-a-long![/SIZE]




Contest #17
Guess How Many JELLY BEANS!

[COLOR=FF0000]ONE GUESS! & NO EDITS! [/COLOR]
ALL EDITED POST's WILL BE [COLOR=800080]Disqualified![/COLOR]

PRIZE:
BYC 6 month GFM!
[COLOR=800080]

[/COLOR]​

I guess 147

 

[Quailsong]

We have a 12 guage sawed off pistol grip. I cant hit the broad side of a barn with it. The first time I shot it, I dropped it because it slammed into my ribs, the second time almost the same thing still slammed into my ribs and there was no third time. Needless to say my whole right side was bruised afterward. At least if I need to use it all I will have is a broken rib or two.

Yeah but imagine the other guy.

 

[Faraday40]

Couple questions, folks.

My son just let his juvenile box turtle go that was in a 10 gallon aquarium, so it is now free for whatever I want...what a good mini brooder that would make, I thought to myself! Here's my problem. I have a smaller heat lamp, I tried using a 60 watt bulb, and the temp inside the aquarium soared to over 120 degrees. So I tried one of those newer twisty lookin' bulbs, and it wouldn't rise above 80. Does anyone use an aquarium as a small brooder? If so, what kind of bulb do you use to make sure it's not too hot, and not too cold?? BTW, there is no way for me to raise the lamp.

Second question. I've noticed over the past few days my bator keeps getting hotter. I've had to turn the dial down almost two whole turns since it started. Is this because, now that the chicks are getting bigger inside the egg, they are producing more heat which rises the temp inside the bator? Or is my thermostat going bad or something?

Final question. I just had a friend of mine give me a hovabator (the styrofoam kind) she doesn't use anymore. Is this something I could use as a 'hatcher'? If so, could someone explain to me how to use a hatcher? I know that sounds like a silly question, but I've never had/used one before, so if someone could tell me all about how to use a hatcher and when, I'd appreciate it. Oh, and explain it to me as if you're trying to explain to a 1st grader LOL.

I've noticed in past hatches the incubator temp goes up toward the end. (maybe not that much) I turn it down as needed but only a little at a time. Keeping a close eye on it has never been a problem, since the excitement builds as we get closer to hatch day.

When making a brooder, any type of box can be used. I like plastic storage tubs for the 1st week or 2 because they're so easy to clean. I often must clamp the light to a stool or chair to get the correct height. You should see a range of temps inside the brooder so the chicks can move toward or away from the heat. When they get bigger, I use an old dog crate &/or infant play yard.

A hatcher is used when you have different batches of eggs going at the same time. For example, you set some eggs then get some nice eggs the following week. Because the humidity & temp requirements change on Day 18, both batches would suffer if you tried to keep them together. So, having a hatcher allows the younger eggs to remain in place while you put the older eggs into lockdown. It also works for times when one is hatching different types of poultry with varied incubation lengths.

 

[MontanaDolphin]

I've noticed in past hatches the incubator temp goes up toward the end. (maybe not that much) I turn it down as needed but only a little at a time. Keeping a close eye on it has never been a problem, since the excitement builds as we get closer to hatch day.

When making a brooder, any type of box can be used. I like plastic storage tubs for the 1st week or 2 because they're so easy to clean. I often must clamp the light to a stool or chair to get the correct height. You should see a range of temps inside the brooder so the chicks can move toward or away from the heat. When they get bigger, I use an old dog crate &/or infant play yard.

A hatcher is used when you have different batches of eggs going at the same time. For example, you set some eggs then get some nice eggs the following week. Because the humidity & temp requirements change on Day 18, both batches would suffer if you tried to keep them together. So, having a hatcher allows the younger eggs to remain in place while you put the older eggs into lockdown. It also works for times when one is hatching different types of poultry with varied incubation lengths.

Thank you! I have a brooder, btw...I just thought I could use the aquarium for the bantams that hatch (seramas) since they are smaller.

 

[CackleJoy]

Humm, empty quote, okay - anyway, had to say, Mrs. Oz rocks, and so glad she will be winging her way to you on Friday! Sorry about the dehumidifier, I know exactly how that stuff happens though - it's in your head so you just assume it's in hers.
Once internally pipped you often hear chirping, not so much the wiggling, at least not here.

I've never seen wiggling but the chirping is usually a sign of pipping! My ears are tuned for that chirp and I get so disgusted when I run to the bator only to discover I was faked out AGAIN by those outside birds!