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

[Joshua G]

I have not been on BYC in foreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeever.
Happy to say though that.....I'M BACK!!!!!
And I will be participating in the Easter hatch-a-long!
Last year I hatched over 600 chicks of various chicken breeds and over 300 mixed breed ducklings.
I'm hoping to do even more this year.
But, enough said I'm just glad to be back.

 

[CherMoz]

Welcome back!

 

[Razadia]

I have a forced air hovabator. My first hatch was shipped eggs and I hatched 12 of 14 Marans very much a success in my eyes. I just recently picked up a used little giant still air to use as a hatcher. I'm not sure about it yet. My first couple attempts to get a stable temp in it have been rough. I have about 2 weeks until my first set of eggs go in it so we'll see how it goes. I knew I'd be doing a lot of staggered hatches so I couldn't resist when I saw it up for sale lol

I'm thinking about getting some marans eggs for HAL. Is there really anything different that needs to be done for them since they're darker than most eggs?

 

[ronott1]

I'm thinking about getting some marans eggs for HAL. Is there really anything different that needs to be done for them since they're darker than most eggs?

A bit lower humidity helps them--It may be best to weigh them and go by moisture loss.

 

[Razadia]

Quote:A bit lower humidity helps them--It may be best to weigh them and go by moisture loss.

I dry incubate, so that shouldn't be a problem. I'll just have to keep a better eye on the humidity. Thanks ron!

 

[Myfourladies]

I would like to join! I will have a brooder full of week olds then, if all goes right, but you can never have too many chicks on Easter!

I would love to find some lavender orps, or any kind of speckled chickens to hatch- anyone out there have something like that? LOL

I have a small clock of bantam cochins with frizzle genes if anyone would need eggs!

 

[acemario]

I'd love to hear people's opinions on the best small incubator (I'm planning on setting 6-12 eggs).  I've read so many reviews and I appreciate how important maintaining the temperature, humidity level and O2 concentration is, as well as appropriate turning of the eggs.  I have a friend who has done lots of home hatching who says manual turning is better than automatic turning, as she has improved hatch rate with hand turning vs higher mortality rate with the automated turner.  I would just think not opening the incubator to hand-turn the eggs would be better -
Help!
thanks
MavisMama (Teri)

You are talking about a mini incubator.

Brinsea makes a very popular mini incubator.

Yes. I LOVE the Brinsea mini. I have the version that doesn't automatically control humidity. There is a reservoir in the middle of the incubator that is split down the middle. During he first 18 days you only keep one side full, during lockdown, you double the surface area by filling the other side. If you are looking for a bator that is great to see through, easy to setup, maintains a constant temperature (only has varied .1 degree Celsius in all 5 of my hatches), and is basically hands off, this is my incubator of choice.

My only negative is after I took apart the inside panel to clean out all of the chick fuzz after my second hatch, the fan now makes more noise, which is slightly annoying, but this doesn't affect the usefulness of the bator.

 

[Happy Chooks]

The Random Posting Contest has begun!

3 random dates and times have been chosen.

Post in this thread closest to the secret time and you win a 6 month GFM!​

 

[Peep-Chicken]

The Random Posting Contest has begun!​

3 random dates and times have been chosen.​

Post in this thread closest to the secret time and you win a 6 month GFM!​

Oh cool!

 

[nate1the1great1]

2/29/15 @ 10 pm