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

[Cynthia12]

Couldn't stand it any longer. Called the P.O. They said they haven't seen anything..yet. The guy that answered the phone knows me pretty well by now. he he...said he would call me if he sees it. If...

 

[Bhmathews]

I was so egg-cited (sorry, can't help myself) when I set my eggs yesterday I forgot to check in!

I set 41 eggs in my new HovaBator 1588. The breakdown is:

7 marans
9 english orps, including BB splash, spangled, cuckoo, gold laced)
15 salmon faverolles
5 wheaten Ameraucana
2 easter eggers

I am so excited I can hardly stand it! This is my 5th time incubating, but the first time I actually get to keep some hens!
Here's a pic. The IncuView belongs to my chicken partner-in-crime Jbher!!

 

[HarrietB]

Ive set 15 copper black and copper blue maran eggs to hatch! This is my first ever hatch along how exciting!!!!

 

[SoManyHats]

After candling this morning (day 3) to recheck air cells, I have the following observations/thoughts:

1) Only 2 of 30 air cells are stable, most are still wobbly, and at least 3 are still floating.

2) I have no idea what to do with information in number 1. Start turning the wobbly and stable ones?Wait another day? They have been sitting upright for over 4 days.

3) I'm wondering how long an incubating egg can go without turning before it becomes detrimental.

4) I thought I saw tiny veining in a few. Am I supposed to see something this early?

5) It's my first time with shipped eggs, and I've already decided I don't want to do it again.

6) I am scared I will have a 0% hatch rate.


Edited to add: all four of my thermometers were showing about the same thing up until about 24 hours ago, when two started fluctuating down and up within a 3 degree range. Which brings me back to #6 above.

 

[Penny Hen]

In case your interested, this is what I installed in my cooler bator.


It is a water heater thermostat. Not sure what kind of heating element you have but if you use one of these they measure by radiant heat. So you have to place it close to your heat source, like within 1-2 inches of the heating element. My cooler bator holds the temp directly on 99.6° f with virtually no fluxuation at all.

Just thought you might want to know.

That explains so much why I was not getting the right performance out of my waterheater thermostat. I had it about 8 inches from the heat source.

 

[southernflock14]

Unknowingly I set mine on Saturday march 29th . Sooooo I guess I am in the hatch along

 

[Cynthia12]

After candling this morning (day 3) to recheck air cells, I have the following observations/thoughts:

1) Only 2 of 30 air cells are stable, most are still wobbly, and at least 3 are still floating.

2) I have no idea what to do with information in number 1. Start turning the wobbly and stable ones?Wait another day? They have been sitting upright for over 4 days.

3) I'm wondering how long an incubating egg can go without turning before it becomes detrimental.

4) I thought I saw tiny veining in a few. Am I supposed to see something this early?

5) It's my first time with shipped eggs, and I've already decided I don't want to do it again.

6) I am scared I will have a 0% hatch rate.

Edited to add: all four of my thermometers were showing about the same thing up until about 24 hours ago, when two started fluctuating down and up within a 3 degree range. Which brings me back to #6 above.

I know someone will come along and answer this for you...I also have one that has a fluid look in the bottom, but I have it on it's side now. I have had them do fine at this point..no floating to the top of the egg..

 

[Cynthia12]

Unknowingly I set mine on Saturday march 29th . Sooooo I guess I am in the hatch along

 

[CackleJoy]

One more incubator to wash and set the eggs before my final count - I love this part! It's so full of hope

 

[gryeyes]

Monica wasn't really truly broody yet, the tease! I had to redistribute the eggs.

Grace, however, is pancaked over hers. I gave her two of "Monica's." This is a photo taken before I added them.

Sparkle took the other two, added to the wild turkey egg and the three I already gave her.

The Brinsea is handling 7 eggs.

Total chicken eggs set : 17, wild turkey: 1.

Can't seem to get the Brinsea phot uploaded but I'll keep trying.