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

[AmyLynn2374]

I actually set a day early because I was out of town the Saturday we were supposed to set... They are just barnyard mixes. I haven't separated anyone into breeding pens yet. I have Americaunas, Silkies, Buff Orpingtons, Black Australorps, Easter Eggers, Cochins, and a bunch of mixes. I don't even know how many I have right now. I have way too many roosters, but everyone seems to be getting along, so I'll just let them be. This winter was really hard on my poultry. I lost many, many chickens, a few ducks, and a few turkeys. Out of 10 turkey's I got as poults last summer, I only have three left, and 2 of them are Toms!!! My hen hasn't started laying yet. I can't wait to find that first turkey egg! It's going straight into the bator!!! I have 7 duck eggs in there right now too, but they aren't going to be ready to hatch for 2 more weeks...

I love the mixes!! Especially when there's so many varieties. They are so fun and it really is a suprise as to what you are going to get.

 

[AsterRetirement]

X2! Thanks for sharing, Aster! It makes me want to pack up my incubator and haul it over to the nearest retirement home

Everyone needs little fuzzies!

Please DO!

Your rewards will be 10 fold!

I set up a portable touch less hand sanitizer next to the brooder box, because you know they want to hold the the little ones!

 

[Happy Chooks]

I have made a discovery. I tested my thermometer all yesterday afternoon, and it typically shows the temp as being .5 degrees F cooler than it really is. What's more, when I turned on my incubator Sunday night to get it warmed up, I noticed the alarming trend of it staying at 103.5 degrees, according to the thermometer. No wonder my eggs all died! I'm sorry babies

At least you are figuring out what the issue is. Now that you know what the problem is, you can correct it and get a good hatch!

Like I said last night my duck eggs are pipping sooo YA that's happening on day 24 instead of day 26 through 30

Wow, that's WAY early!

32 of the 36 eggs I set went into lockdown today! Within 1 hour, I already had a pip... Now I have 5 pipped!!!! I think it's going to be an early hatch for me!!! Let the hovering begin...

Your incubator is running a bit hotter, that's why they are pipping already.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Here's what I was dealing with trying to get those bee pictures. Turn up your sound if you want to hear the buzzing sound. Bee airport activity.

 

[domesticzoo]

Well, the eggs are on lock down. I am not feeling it. I hope at least one egg hatches. No feeling hopefull

 

[Happy Chooks]

Well, the eggs are on lock down. I am not feeling it. I hope at least one egg hatches. No feeling hopefull

 

[holm26]

hi

 

[TMNfarm]

I love the mixes!! Especially when there's so many varieties. They are so fun and it really is a suprise as to what you are going to get.

I figure anything that made it through this past winter on my farm has got to be pretty hardy and therefore has earned the right to procreate!

 

[casportpony]

Have two chocolate Muscovy ducklings that just hatched! One was upside-down and needed help. Here is what an upside down one can look like:

The dark spot is where it has pipped internally, No air cell there, so they will usually die unless one pips for them.


Here it is after the pip.


48 hours later I helped it out. Small and weak, it might not survive.

-Kathy

Edited to Add:
Please note that I am not suggesting that anyone assist, just wanted to share a a picture of what an upside-down duck egg might look like.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Was the air sac still intact on the other end? I've had wrong way pippers in my chicken eggs hatch completely on their own.