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

[jbenson]

I read on Ron's digest that someone lost eggs to a faulty thermometer.
I have as well. I set 14 Comet eggs and 4 Leghorn eggs, and they did alright, but I had quitters along the way. It was my first hatch.
I locked down 8 eggs, and switched thermometers. I egg-topsied the seven that didn't hatch. According to the assisted hatching article (link in it to a university study), they had gotten too hot during lockdown.

I found out after the first 36 hours of lockdown that the thermometer I was using was reading 90-ish when the temp was really over 102*.
We named our lone hatchling "Little Red" and we're keeping him/her no matter what (even though I was going to cull all my cockerels). I just can't cull my very first hatchling!
To those who have lost eggs, chicks, etc:

that was me - I lost my whole first hatch this year to a thermo that was off by like 5 degrees. Here I thought the temp was a perfect 99.5 and it was like 104. Totally explained all the early quitters. The ones that made it to lockdown were little miracles. They either passed that critical point during the day someone accidentally unplugged the 'bator and then were near the vents so as to be slightly cooler or something. I was going to be happy with the 3 at lockdown that were still moving, but according to eggtopsy, they were gone within the next day due to the high temps. I originally thought it was bacteria, but in my sanitizing the 'bator i found the thermo was bad. I was so bummed to find out I had cooked those sweet little babies by not having multiple thermos to check. Won't make that mistake again.

 

[cindynkidsd]

Finally found the photo of one of chicks that I got from Dick..as a pullet. Looking pretty, Silver Pencil Rock Pretty little girl.

Hi Cynthia, She is beautiful!

 

[pickitfarm]

If all goes well we are getting a mix of Colloncas, Huastecs and Quechuas to hatch. That along with the Basques and possible Swedish Flower Hens. It is SOOOOOOO eggciting.

 

[ronott1]

If all goes well we are getting a mix of Colloncas, Huastecs and Quechuas to hatch. That along with the Basques and possible Swedish Flower Hens. It is SOOOOOOO eggciting.

Your hatch is fantastic!

 

[1cluckadoodle]

I'm new to BYC but I love it. Count me in on the hatching too !! Turkin / polish cross !!! Happy Hatching !!!

 

[PAchickenlover]

Ok so I checked my eggs 26 of the first eggs that I put in are good and growing. Three were duds one quit already (blood ring). Here is one of the eggs I candled.

In the second batch of eggs that I put in (the seven duck eggs and two chicken eggs from my flock) I have 5 ducks forming and two duds. The two chicken eggs from that batch are duds also. :'(
Here is one of the duck eggs.

So I am starting to wonder about the fertility of my flock now and am excited that i have chicks forming in their eggs in the incubator.

Still searching for the elusive Speckled Sussex eggs. Have even put a post up in Craig's list with no luck so far. Am looking on the web, but was not looking to pay a ton for eggs that are going to be a backyard flock... Any suggestions?

 

[ronott1]

I'm new to BYC but I love it. Count me in on the hatching too !! Turkin / polish cross !!! Happy Hatching !!!

Happy Hatching!

 

[chicken pickin]

Ok so I checked my eggs 26 of the first eggs that I put in are good and growing. Three were duds one quit already (blood ring). Here is one of the eggs I candled.


In the second batch of eggs that I put in (the seven duck eggs and two chicken eggs from my flock) I have 5 ducks forming and two duds. The two chicken eggs from that batch are duds also. :'(
Here is one of the duck eggs.


So I am starting to wonder about the fertility of my flock now and am excited that i have chicks forming in their eggs in the incubator.

Still searching for the elusive Speckled Sussex eggs. Have even put a post up in Craig's list with no luck so far. Am looking on the web, but was not looking to pay a ton for eggs that are going to be a backyard flock... Any suggestions?

So they have to be Speckled? or are you open to other colors of Sussex?

 

[PAchickenlover]

Ok so I checked my eggs 26 of the first eggs that I put in are good and growing. Three were duds one quit already (blood ring). Here is one of the eggs I candled. In the second batch of eggs that I put in (the seven duck eggs and two chicken eggs from my flock) I have 5 ducks forming and two duds. The two chicken eggs from that batch are duds also. :'( Here is one of the duck eggs. So I am starting to wonder about the fertility of my flock now and am excited that i have chicks forming in their eggs in the incubator. [COLOR=FF0000]Still searching for the elusive Speckled Sussex eggs.[/COLOR] Have even put a post up in Craig's list with no luck so far. Am looking on the web, but was not looking to pay a ton for eggs that are going to be a backyard flock... Any suggestions?

So they have to be Speckled? or are you open to other colors of Sussex?

I am open to the other colors of Sussex also.. Have never had any of the other colors. But I am in love with the way the Sussex are. So yes I am interested...

 

[Arielle]

Arielle..what kind of eggs are you going to have for me? And, how many did I pay for? I can't remember? I guess I can go back to the messages.

I'm not one that cares too much for the Marans. Anything blue, or green is great if you have that. Blue girls..I love blue girls. Remember the one I posted with her foot up under her during the cold..cutest face..here she is again..one of yours. What a sweetheart. She's the one that lays brown eggs.

I'll have to check my records-- a dozen I think. More hens are laying, more colors showing up!!

I know all of you are just sitting on pins and needles waiting to hear the head count when I got home...

When I first got home about an hour ago there were 7 out with some more working, now there are 10 and several more working on it. Pretty soon it will be too hard to count.

10--- go chickies go!