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

[michaelf]

Also Check with @michaelf
 for H Rhode Island Reds.

Thanks! I am also NPIP.

 

[jbenson]

Well I figured out exactly why my last hatch didn't hatch - temp was WAY TOO high. Set up the 'bator back in the "office" room like when I hatched last year after getting it all squeaky clean and dry with the new thermo inside. Powered it up and came back about an hour later to 104 temp inside! Holy crap! Had the knob set exactly where it was set during the end of the last hatch when using the thermo that came with the thing. Just looked and realized that at some point, the bulb on my original analog thermo came unglued from the backing and the whole tube had slid! When I measured the amount it was slid, it was about the same distance from 99.5 to 104! I cooked my poor babies!

New digital thermo is working like a charm. I'm gonna reset it's high/low values before I set eggs so I can check to see if I've had unexpected temp drops or spikes while I'm away from it. I decided to move away from using the wells for water too. I've got a small mason jar in there right now with water. I'll probably go back to using the wells if I put the turner in and will for sure during hatch. I think I might need a chunk of sponge in the jar for surface area though cause it's awful dry this time of year and I've got only 30% or so humidity in there. I think I'd like a smidge more to prevent air sacs from getting out of control.

Also, whomever suggested using that rubbery shelf liner from the dollar store, I took your idea. I think it will help to keep the eggs from rolling all around so much and I got enough to line it for two hatches (I'm hoping it will catch a majority of the crud during hatch and can be peeled out and chucked to aid in faster cleaning).

Thinking of asking the guy I sold one of our roos to (the one who I was trying to hatch his offspring and cooked them instead) if he will sell me some eggs. He has some lovely little Seramas and he's crossing them with my Red Pyle Old English Game roo. Those are gonna be lookers. (hubby's idea so he can't be mad if I do a special hatch just for those right?)

 

[uphilljill]

Bac

LOVE the baby goats! We're expecting some soon as well.


Cheese cave/wine fridge: Actually not much is needed to modify the wine fridge. The temperature range is already good (unlike a mini dorm-style fridge.) Just add a water tray to the bottom to pump up the humidity... Much like an incubator. Shallow tray with more surface area work best, and add sponges if needed to get it up to 90-95%.

Love your avatar!!!!!

Back at ya!

 

[sunflowerparrot]

Bac
Back at ya!

Just curious where in NY you are - I used to live in Gloversville.

 

[uphilljill]

A few towns east of Saratoga Springs, near VT

 

[PAchickenlover]

Candled most of the 39 eggs in my bator last night and most of them I can tell are forming! Yay!!! I am so excited to be getting closer to having chicks again!!

Still would love to find someone who has SS hatching eggs.... Anyone?????

 

[carriebain]

I wanted to share a picture of my broody blue ameraucana with her BLRW chick

 

[PAchickenlover]

I wanted to share a picture of my broody blue ameraucana with her BLRW chick

<3

 

[Happy Chooks]

I wanted to share a picture of my broody blue ameraucana with her BLRW chick

Adorable!

 

[Gardeningmama]

My dream is to have big ole huge barn. The old kind with stalls on both sides and a hay loft up top in the middle.
Quote:
X2.... I have a dream of housing an unlimited # of chickens in one building, and at night they all walk in, roost, and I shut 1 door.

I will have this one day!! I swear!