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

[mollybuck]

I'll tell you where NOT to put it....In the dining room where people tromp in and out of the back door all day and the wind whips in each time, and your 4 year old thinks we live in a barn

Can you tell where I put mine?

I want one! Can I just buy one of the kiddie toy ones?

HA! I feel for you! except mine are 15 through 7 and they still leave it open all the time! my 15 y/o thinks he's so tough he's been trying to sneak of to school without a coat on. it was 7 deg. this morning!

 

[ronott1]

Okay under the arm reading!!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!!

It works just fine then.

Use the water wiggle probe!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I have all my eggs ready to go into the bator!

I was given three eggs this morning that were laid yesterday. When they were handed to me, I was told to let them touch each other, even in the bator, so that they can communicate as they are growing...first time I've ever heard that one! I told the gal that I have a turner in my bator and I've never heard that they should be touching. She was quite serious!

Another gal that I got eggs from was telling me that she candled some of her own eggs and they were all clear, so she's not sure how mine will do...I'll just wait and see!

I read some research from a manufacturer of large scale commercial incubators that said letting them touch each other improves hatchability. The vibration makes the other embryos move thereby gaining more nutrition.

I'm not going to be able to participate In the hatch-along after all. I'm pretty sure I have a marek's outbreak in my backyard flock

I sent one chicken to get a necropsy and am waiting for those results, now a second chicken is limping (my favorite too) I'm very sad and devastated that this is happening. I have never dealt with this virus before and I'm sure all my chicks and young pullets have been exposed to it. I can't imagine hatching knowing I have a virus running rampant. I have 30 6 week old chicks that I'm growing out for someone, I can't possibly sell them now, right? If anyone would has dealt with marek's in their flock who can give me advice pm me? I could really use your help right now. Thanks everyone!

That's devastating but there are a couple options - if it is Marek's.
Marek's, with good egg hygiene, is not transmitted vertically from hen to chick so you could order some vaccine.
Another option is to hatch and not vaccinate. Those that aren't affected will be resistant and a valuable gene pool.

carriebain, Marek's is inevitable for all of us. If we have adult chickens who have not displayed symptoms, they are resistant. Certain strains are more resistant than others even within a breed - last year I lost every single one of the 25 Speckled Sussex I purchased from a breeder - absolutely stunning birds, it just about broke my heart.

... There is no way to avoid exposure, and my personal choice has been to raise a resistant flock, rather than vaccinate every single chick at hatch.

All that said, I am deeply sympathetic and strongly encourage you to hatch from your adult, healthy birds. Unless they came to you vaccinated, they are resistant.

X2

Okay random question!!! Where in your house do you all run your incubators?

I am trying to figure out which room to do. With 3 kids I can't have grabby hands that are in reach of it. My older two know better but my youngest would yank it down and throw eggs at the dog or something. I was thinking about keeping it in our bedroom on the dresser. Our room stays pretty constant. However, I am imagining that on hatch day(s) everyone will want to be gathered around... AND I am thinking the peeping will keep us awake those last days?? Hmmm just not sure and was curious where everyone else's was

Mine are in the cellar. It's colder there so more expensive to operate them but the temperature is more consistent than the house where the temps can swing by 10 to 20 degrees. It also keeps me from checking on them every 10 minutes. Also, the wife doesn't know how many more chickens are coming home to roost.

 

[TJChickens]

Just ordered my spot check from Brinsea. Hope this helps my current hatch rate.

I am beginning to suspect that winter in Pennsylvania is never going to end. All waterers frozen solid this morning (again), what was new was a pipe outside of the house burst so water is turned off in the house. We have a stomach bug.... read: no flushing toilets. I'd like to lie on the couch and cry, but time to get to the dentist for my root canal. Oh Joy.

I was about to complain about something...and then I read your post.

I hope you feel better and it warms up for you soon!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: Well that is what a small egg then?

I have been using these 2.5 oz salad cups, about 2" long.
I cut a small hole in the side of the lid, put the probe in fill with water and then tape the top on and tape at the wire going in. More like a Large/XL egg, but that is mostly what we incubate so I figure its as close as I will get it without getting technical and using whats on hand.

I was going to silicone, but it works well so I didnt bother, I just make sure the probe is in the middle of it.

We had discussed somewhere if oil would be a better liquid to use, thoughts and suggestions, something that wont go bad obviously ha ha ha

 

[cindynkidsd]

Okay random question!!! Where in your house do you all run your incubators? 

I am trying to figure out which room to do. With 3 kids I can't have grabby hands that are in reach of it. My older two know better but my youngest would yank it down and throw eggs at the dog or something. I was thinking about keeping it in our bedroom on the dresser. Our room stays pretty constant. However, I am imagining that on hatch day(s) everyone will want to be gathered around... AND I am thinking the peeping will keep us awake those last days?? Hmmm just not sure and was curious where everyone else's was

Between four dogs and 4 grandchildren and a very old, cold, drafty house with no "central" anything, I chose the downstairs corner shower stall. Enclosed in glass and its small enough to run the heater in the room full time. My first time-hope it works!

 

[Gardeningmama]

Quote:
Oh, I have a 14, 12, 9, & 4 yr.old. I fight with every one of them about wearing a coat. Yesterday: Mom, I don't want to wear a coat..........................Me: There's snow on the ground, are you trying to make me look like a bad mother?????

 

[Pozees]

cindynkidsd I think that is an excellent idea, should work great!

Cynthia12 - yes, it is very nice to have that extra room

(Sorry, I am on my work computer and the quote function does not work, don't know if it's the elderly version of Internet Explorer or what.)

 

[Happy Chooks]

White Rock eggs, Bob Blosl's line, arrived this morning. Thanks Ken weavers rocks

Now to rest them in the cool place. No turning. Hoping the insides "heal".

So excited. 2 more days till I can set the eggs. I'm getting my Americana's tomorrow, and then my OE first thing Saturday morning, and then set time. Trying to see if I can work in some BO too. Just got the incubator all cleaned out and turned on.

We are almost there!

I have all my eggs ready to go into the bator!

I was given three eggs this morning that were laid yesterday. When they were handed to me, I was told to let them touch each other, even in the bator, so that they can communicate as they are growing...first time I've ever heard that one! I told the gal that I have a turner in my bator and I've never heard that they should be touching. She was quite serious!

Another gal that I got eggs from was telling me that she candled some of her own eggs and they were all clear, so she's not sure how mine will do...I'll just wait and see!

I wonder what she'll say when you hatch her infertile eggs?

No way I can catch up I haven't collected eggs yet today and I found a broody who has a ton under her, so those are out. But I have over 60 so far and still have to collect from today.

What time is set time?

Set time is NOON your time on Saturday, March 29th! (for chicken eggs)

I just called them again, after I inspected it again and tried to take my temp I notice the tip of mine is broken! They are gonna send another out today so I can hopefully still use the new coolerbator but those eggs maybe a day or two after the 29th set.

I hope you get it in time! Even if you don't, a day or two is still fine!

@Sally Sunshine

Sally they are here!!! Now I just have to get them!

*happy dance* more eggs to set!!

Quote:

Might be a silly question

But what is Lemoncello?

Oh girl, don't worry. We can fix this. You need to come visit me.

I've actually never had it.

Wow. So many post to catch up on. I am so excited to be doing this again this year.

Welcome!

I had some eggs come today. Some that I ordered and didn't think about them being in the Easter Hatch A Long. he he..but they are now. Waiting on my other two orders. Hopefully they will come by tomorrow. They are both coming from the east from me...waaay out there, kind of worried that they won't get here by Sat. I know how our sorting facility is a couple of towns over. The eggs usually..take three days from the east if they were mailed out before 2 in the afternoon their time. See how I have this all figured out? I did ask them to mail them by Tues..now come on P.O.!

I get to play also I got 8 maran eggs. In the mail from a byc swap I have 6 dorking eggs available crazy egg chain.

Cool! Welcome!

I'm not going to be able to participate In the hatch-along after all. I'm pretty sure I have a marek's outbreak in my backyard flock

I sent one chicken to get a necropsy and am waiting for those results, now a second chicken is limping (my favorite too) I'm very sad and devastated that this is happening. I have never dealt with this virus before and I'm sure all my chicks and young pullets have been exposed to it. I can't imagine hatching knowing I have a virus running rampant. I have 30 6 week old chicks that I'm growing out for someone, I can't possibly sell them now, right? If anyone would has dealt with marek's in their flock who can give me advice pm me? I could really use your help right now. Thanks everyone!

I'm sorry. I have never had Mareks in my flock, but it is a virus that is passed by dander. It does not transmit vertically, from hen to chick. You can hatch from your eggs, but if you put the juveniles in the same coop as birds with Mareks, they will be exposed. Even if not in the same coop, you can carry the dander to another coop on your clothes, shoes, etc. Whether they are strong and survive or not is unknown. Those that survive would pass on a greater immunity to offspring. This is called breeding for resistance, and many breeders use this technique.

Just ordered my spot check from Brinsea. Hope this helps my current hatch rate.

I am beginning to suspect that winter in Pennsylvania is never going to end. All waterers frozen solid this morning (again), what was new was a pipe outside of the house burst so water is turned off in the house. We have a stomach bug.... read: no flushing toilets. I'd like to lie on the couch and cry, but time to get to the dentist for my root canal. Oh Joy.

Sorry you aren't feeling well. Get better soon.

My eggs arrived today

They all made it safely and were wonderfully packed I received 14 BCM and 2 Olive Eggers, Thanks Wynette

.

Good luck silly.. girl. I got some eggs today, thought I knew where they came from..now I'm not sure..no real return address on it..what? It says, Meryweather Northbridge..that's all....??

Silkiesensation? Arielle? Or, it could be some that I ordered after you two. I need to know!!

So, what you are saying, is that you order so many eggs that you can't keep track of who you ordered them from?

Or you have a secret admirer.

Okay random question!!! Where in your house do you all run your incubators?

I am trying to figure out which room to do. With 3 kids I can't have grabby hands that are in reach of it. My older two know better but my youngest would yank it down and throw eggs at the dog or something. I was thinking about keeping it in our bedroom on the dresser. Our room stays pretty constant. However, I am imagining that on hatch day(s) everyone will want to be gathered around... AND I am thinking the peeping will keep us awake those last days?? Hmmm just not sure and was curious where everyone else's was

Mine is in my dining room. It is stable in temperature and far enough away from the woodstove.

Okay under the arm reading!!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!!

Good news is...............YOU are alive! (and the thermometer is accurate)

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Okay random question!!! Where in your house do you all run your incubators? 

I am trying to figure out which room to do. With 3 kids I can't have grabby hands that are in reach of it. My older two know better but my youngest would yank it down and throw eggs at the dog or something. I was thinking about keeping it in our bedroom on the dresser. Our room stays pretty constant. However, I am imagining that on hatch day(s) everyone will want to be gathered around... AND I am thinking the peeping will keep us awake those last days?? Hmmm just not sure and was curious where everyone else's was

I used to keep mine in the kitchen counter. Now that we are up to 3...I keep the hatcher on the kitchen counter (for close observation) and the other 2 are in the craft room.