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

[Pozees]

Ron, did you ever read any of the UA or Bramwell incubation info? I found a tidbit out that was quite cool and certainly makes sense! actually a few things I didnt know he pointed out in 2012 when I first viewed it.

here is the podcast, someone taped it not so great but its cool to hear his input on incubation!

this is a paste from the Hatching 101 article..... see the purple color font...... read his suggestions below and then the link to the podcast is there as well, I dont think you can view on a cell though. Its pretty long so dont bother to watch until you have time to sit. I did look up some papers on it, and they also made the same conclusions. Whoda thunk!

VENTILATION (OXYGEN)
Ventilation is VERY important during the incubation process.
While the embryo is developing, oxygen enters the egg through the shell and carbon dioxide escapes. Oxygen requirements will increases during development and during hatching. Unobstructed ventilation holes, both above and below the eggs, are essential for proper air exchange. HOWEVER New Studies (Show Dr.Bramwell Discussion) have found that a slight decrease in oxygen the first 10 days (ONLY the first 10) creates a natural higher CO2 level which will naturally build in the incubator and add a little stress to young embryos which will force the embryo to survive and grow stronger, hatch earlier, hatch larger, grow stronger, grow faster and yeild more muscle mass at 6 weeks of age. PUT THE VENT PLUGS IN FOR THE FIRST 10 DAYS ONLY and then REMOVE ALL VENT PLUGS for the rest of the hatch! NOTE: When Lockdown occurs, vent openings are frequently restricted in an attempt to boost incubator humidity. Instead of helping the chick hatch, the chick is suffocated from lack of oxygen. Never decrease ventilation openings at hatching in an attempt to increase humidity. Increase humidity by other methods. If any vent adjustments are made, they should be opened more. Try adding a dampened sponge or towel to help boost humidity during lockdown.
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I wonder if elevation would affect this finding - I have read that hatches can be more successful when extra oxygen is added to the atmosphere in the room where the incubator is running, when hatching at higher elevations. I would think plugging the vents would have a negative effect for me.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Fox how is hubby? did he need much surgery or patching

 

[cluckinkere]

Really not sure how to participate, but our Salmon hen went broody on March 29th, so we're hoping for an Easter hatching.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I woke up to one super cute little Wheaten Ameraucana this morning. So cute im in love

I am so happy, but so bummed at the same time!!! My chocolate orpington bantam laid her first egg this morning....a week late!!! I want to add it to the bator SO BAD!!! What are the odds it would make it through lockdown without being turned??

Honestly if she is a new layer and this is the first egg in her clutch I would collect the entire clutch this week, what happens is the first laid in the clutch has a much denser albumen, and changes with each egg laid in the clutch. this is how nature lets the hen lay eggs for a week and then set on them. As the denser eggs set they are changing and ultimately when she sets on them they are almost of same density, or composition, so mother nature has a way of making up for all of this also they say that the younger the flocks age, the longer you should store eggs, up to 7 days to get the best hatch results. whoda thunk yet again!

 

[ronott1]

How interesting! Ron do you think I should add a few more things about altitude in the Hatching article? of at least some other links?

I only have the following in the humidity section! I never really jumped into that area but I would love if you could help me with a section in regards to that! I have had several people asking for help at the end of incubation and only to find out the wet chicks were from buying eggs from sea level areas and then incubating high alts! so the following is what I base research on for the article, but I would love to add a section for those people who are in fact above 3100!

The influence of high altitude on the hatching of chicken eggs.

Because of increased egg shell conductance at high altitude, eggs that were layed at sea level but incubated at 3100m will loose more water than eggs layed & incubated at sea level. Also, eggs laid at 3800m have lower amounts of albumen, less water than eggs at sea level and both egg composition and weights vary as consequence of changes in elevation, eggs produced at sea level are consistently and significantly larger than eggs laid at 3810 m. The mass of the yolk decreases and the albumen increases as sea level compared to 3810. Data suggest increase in mass of eggs at sea level compared to 3810 m is due primarily to water. http://www.wmrs.edu/resources/reference%20documents/Natural%20History%20of%20the%20White%20Mountains/ch23.pdf
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It seems to be an issue starting a 3200ft. The article I quoted from has different strategies based on where the eggs came from and where they are being hatched.

3100m 10170.6037ft. Should the M in the 101 article say ft.?

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: thats a good question because meters doesnt make sense, that would take it to over 10,000 feet not? I am terrible with that stuff! this is why I was asking you for help on that section. If you have time further down the road and can jump into researching I would be grateful to add a section in regards to alt and I am positive so will everyone else that can get the info quickly.

 

[mlm Mike]

Really not sure how to participate, but our Salmon hen went broody on March 29th, so we're hoping for an Easter hatching.

How many is she sitting on? We'll add you. Welcome.

 

[ronott1]

I wonder if elevation would affect this finding - I have read that hatches can be more successful when extra oxygen is added to the atmosphere in the room where the incubator is running, when hatching at higher elevations. I would think plugging the vents would have a negative effect for me.

Yes, you need to not use a plug and if very high would need to add oxygen. More humidity would be needed for some eggs--weighing was recommended. 7000 ft. is a limit for a lot of life. The Tree line is 1600 ft. in Scotland but 4500 ft. in Washington. Trees have a hard time up that high and "specialist" trees are the only ones there.

It is something to climb Mt. Lassen and see that looking our over the Cascade Mt.s

 

[cacooley]

I candled using a toilet paper roll and a bright LED light from my phone. Is day 6 too early to see a blood ring?

 

[BridgetBarger]

Quote:
I think I saw one last night as well.