The 6th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!

[chicken pickin]

I want to do this for the spring, we had only 3 days where we had 50 degree weather. Then it turned cold again. I thought I missed my window of opportunity. I am thankful that I didn't.

I have a driveway lined with old maple trees. I heard there is a lot of boiling and I want to be up to it. However I have to research when I need to tap them here where I live. Thank you for sharing...it seems there are a lot of people on here with interest in making syrip and/or candy.

For many folks in our area maple tapping was started a few weekends back. If I were you I would tap this weekend. Next weeks temps will be perfect for getting lots of sap The tapping season is short and flies by quick, you don't want to accidentally miss it.

 

[Aprildeesunshin]

For many folks in our area maple tapping was started a few weekends back. If I were you I would tap this weekend. Next weeks temps will be perfect for getting lots of sap The tapping season is short and flies by quick, you don't want to accidentally miss it.

Thank you

 

[chicken pickin]

Thank you

Your Welcome!

 

[ronott1]

Does anyone use the infrared thermometers, if so what do you suggest I buy?

The $20.00 range infrared thermometers are not accurate for temps. They can read temps that are around 8 degrees off.

The $100.00 plus models are more accurate but still not accurate enough.

 

[Mama Bay]

Yes, I have. It broke when I tried to get it out. maybe someone else knows of a more effective way...

Yikes, maybe I should just wait until lockdown when I take out the turner?

 

[JoyfulPromise]

For many folks in our area maple tapping was started a few weekends back. If I were you I would tap this weekend. Next weeks temps will be perfect for getting lots of sap The tapping season is short and flies by quick, you don't want to accidentally miss it.

We tapped our trees here in Mid Michigan at the beginning of last week. The run was slow last week, but it has really picked up this week with the PERFECT temperatures (i.e. 40º F during the day, and 20ºs at night)! Syrup Season is very busy, but a lot of fun and SO worth it to have the DELICIOUS maple syrup all year long after that!!!

 

[RedIII]

reading some of the posts,

it appears that some are changing total eggs set with every mishap or candle,

is that what the judges want?

I would imagine the answer is "no". My understanding was that the total number of eggs that hatch will be counted in a different contest. Clears and quitters would still count toward the original number set, if I'm correct.

 

[chicken pickin]

We tapped our trees here in Mid Michigan at the beginning of last week. The run was slow last week, but it has really picked up this week with the PERFECT temperatures (i.e. 40º F during the day, and 20ºs at night)! Syrup Season is very busy, but a lot of fun and SO worth it to have the DELICIOUS maple syrup all year long after that!!!

It is so worth it!!! Smells so fantastic while boiling and man does it taste sooooooo good. I think its my favorite time of the year.

Unfortunately Im missing it this year. DH taps on his friends 60acre property that is in a different town, usually DH makes the daily trips out to get the sap and bring it home and I do all the boiling. This year DH is out of state on work so he cant do it and I wouldn't be able to find the time with all the kids and animals and the activities that I have to get the kids too etc to go out that far daily to collect the sap. So fingers crossed we can do it again next year because I am really missing my real maple syrup.

 

[JoyfulPromise]

Ok, so I admit I have been "peeking" at a few of my eggs earlier this week while I was hand turning them, and was THRILLED to see some healthy little "spiders" growing in most of them!!!

Day 7 started this morning for me, but I may wait until tomorrow to do a complete candling and check air cells. My incubator is in the living/dining room, where there are big windows, so I have to wait until it is dark outside to effectively candle. I never thought of moving the entire incubator, I would be so afraid of shaking the eggs around too much or dropping them!

I did see some healthy looking veins in at least 4 of the shipped Ameraucana eggs this morning!!!

They are upright in cut down egg cartons and I have just been gently tilting them from side to side when I turn the other eggs.

 

[chicken pickin]

Ok, so I admit I have been "peeking" at a few of my eggs earlier this week while I was hand turning them, and was THRILLED to see some healthy little "spiders" growing in most of them!!!

Day 7 started this morning for me, but I may wait until tomorrow to do a complete candling and check air cells. My incubator is in the living/dining room, where there are big windows, so I have to wait until it is dark outside to effectively candle. I never thought of moving the entire incubator, I would be so afraid of shaking the eggs around too much or dropping them!

I did see some healthy looking veins in at least 4 of the shipped Ameraucana eggs this morning!!!

They are upright in cut down egg cartons and I have just been gently tilting them from side to side when I turn the other eggs.

Same here, I would never move the entire incubator to another room just for candling its not worth the possibility of having an accident while carrying them. I just wait till dark and candle then.

Congrats on the spiders! I might candle tomorrow but my plan is to wait till day 10. I don't want to handle them too much.