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

[ozexpat]

Thank you thank you thank you!!!! Now I gotta find 'em online and buy some. They expand, right? So I don't have to worry about cutting off circulation?

most dont expand. especially from chick to chook.

I use zip ties and make them lose

one at hatch
i change it when I put them in the grow out pen
i change it at 15 weeks when i give routine pre-laying mite and worm Ivermectin

setting dates to change leg bands is a good reason to pick up my birds and inspect them

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: Thanks, not the cutest but sure are cute!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Advice from a hatcher....? My pip is still not going any further. It's still just an x shaped crack in the egg, no beak yet. I am starting to worry, I do hear faint peeping, but it happened at noon today and still no progress. None of the other eggs look pipped. Last time I tried an assist I was too late. Should I just wait it out? It's a Pyle leghorn.

update!! with pics!!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

My incubator is spiking. I want to cry! It was fine at 2pm when I hand turned, just got wondering with my humidity was because I've been fight it. I can't get it up past 25%, not sure why, the last hatch was perfect, but I didn't have 40 eggs in there either. I added a sponge today, but that can't be why its spiking to 102. I just opened it up to let all the hot air out really fast, and I guess I will just have to watch it.

Remember what is more important than a set number with humidity is those air cells! what did they tell you at candle or weigh?

and still air should be 102 at the top of the eggs, unless you have a water wiggler with probe or something? It is very bad to have a low temp even .5 degree below 99.5 can cause issues at the end, delay hatch and also create big and sometimes wet chicks.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: Have you calibrated your hygros?

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Just thought I would post this.... If you want to follow my first hatch I have a thread going for it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/868751/ive-candled-my-first-eggs-day-7-pics/30#post_13192218

 

[Sally Sunshine]

3 of the better vein pics from tonight. 4.5 days til lock down

awesome pics!

I'm so surprised, 7/8 of my chicken and duck eggs are still kicking!

The Brinsea is doing it's job! Although, it's towards the end that it likes to screw with my babies, so we shall see. I haven't bothered candling the 10 quail, because its near enough impossible to see through them properly. I'm especially excited about one of the bantam eggs..it's from a silkie, is her first egg ever (and fertile!), AND could potentially be a showgirl.

Here's hoping they keep cookin'! Especially that one.

 

[bantiesrule]

most dont expand. especially from chick to chook.

I use zip ties and make them lose

one at hatch
i change it when I put them in the grow out pen
i change it at 15 weeks when i give routine pre-laying mite and worm Ivermectin

setting dates to change leg bands is a good reason to pick up my birds and inspect them

I don't do it but I know some people toe punch the chicks. Punching different webbing on different toes to signify breeds or colors.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Good morning! My DIY incubator has developed a problem that causes the temp to drop randomly and it doesn't stop until I "fix" it. I really can't take vacation until they hatch so I'm hoping one of my hens becomes broody! I can't permanently fix the issue while it's in use. Has anyone with a homemade incubator ever had their thermostat (hot water type) develop static where it causes the light to flicker and buzz? I unplug it and turn the dial back and forth a bunch of times and it stops but it comes back when it decides to. It's like an old radio knob static (potentiometer?) for comparison. I don't think spraying contact cleaner on it would be good for the eggs...

Another reason I threw my hot water thermostats out! hated them, I have too much at stake to mess with them, the wafer is the way to go, or @ozexpat can show you his cheap digital solution that is reliable as well.

My last broody is hatching her eggs now. She has 2 so far out of 6. I also have chicks hatching in the bator I have 6 in there now. All these split hatches are killing me. I have more to hatch next week also. It seems everytime I get more space in the incubator ,more eggs fall back into it. Lol!! Same thing with my other bator also.

at least i can sell them almost as fast as I hatch.. Literally!!

I hear you on this one! luckily I only have one brooder box in the house at the moment! and the chicks will head to their new homes in FL by end of the week!

 

[ronott1]

Thank you thank you thank you!!!! Now I gotta find 'em online and buy some. They expand, right? So I don't have to worry about cutting off circulation?

You will have to change the bands as they grow. An Orp will start with something like a 4 but will need a 12 or larger when fully grown.

Tow punching is an option too.

Zip ties work fine for the littles. It takes some practice but I can put them on with one hand and the cut the end off. I start them first by making a loop and then putting the foot of the chick through the loop. Watch when the tie is getting tight and then cut it off and put on a new one.

Spiral bands go no when they are close to full grown. The plastic bands will say on for years too. zip ties disintegrate so are not a good permanent solution.