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

[jgoldy2]

To see intersesting weather, look at Colorado's weather

 

[PrairieChickens]

Quote: Yup, I checked and my name wasn't on the list, but they added me after my post. Either they missed my original post or (more likely) I never actually said I was participating. I'm on there now, so it's all groovy. :3

 

[SoManyHats]

I just ordered a Brinsea Octagon 20 Advance. I'll be putting it up against my homemade incubator for the hatch!

 

[chicken pickin]

I just ordered a Brinsea Octagon 20 Advance. I'll be putting it up against my homemade incubator for the hatch!

I have heard many great things about that incubator. I hope you like it.

 

[Ravynscroft]

In Tennessee in the midst of an ice storm. We are hopefully getting to a balmy 30 today for the high temperature of the week. Going to be single digits and negative numbers for actual lows the rest of the week. The chickens that came out today are ice encrusted. It is supposed to rain ice for 6 more hours. We already have about 1/2 inch. Even the interstates are closed right now. The joy of winter.  

Yup, I'm not impressed with our ice storm either... My Jim is staying at a motel tonight in Bellevue instead of driving 75 mi home...

 

[chicken pickin]

I still need to dig out my incubators and give them a little dusting off and fire them up to give them a test run. I will be taking them out soon and getting my area set up. I have a corner of the basement that is designated for my egg, incubating, and hatching needs.

Does anyone know or heard anything about if sunlight plays any part in the way eggs/chicks develop/hatch. I know direct sunlight on the incubator is not good due to possible temps fluctuating. But does sunlight play any other part? I know its probably a very silly question because hens pick dark corners to nest in and also are on top of the eggs almost 24/7 but it doesn't hurt to ask,right?

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote: Thank you. I've spent some time reading her post now. I'll reread it a few times as a brand new cooler is much easier to find than a used or broken wine chiller.

Incuview

Yes, that is a great view for hatching. If the price was closer to $100 maybe I'd get a pair. But for now all chicken money after the feed bill is paid is going towards either a hatcher or a plucker. Last summer the chicken money after the feed bills went towards new breeding pens.

 

[Razadia]

I still need to dig out my incubators and give them a little dusting off and fire them up to give them a test run. I will be taking them out soon and getting my area set up. I have a corner of the basement that is designated for my egg, incubating, and hatching needs.

Does anyone know or heard anything about if sunlight plays any part in the way eggs/chicks develop/hatch. I know direct sunlight on the incubator is not good due to possible temps fluctuating. But does sunlight play any other part? I know its probably a very silly question because hens pick dark corners to nest in and also are on top of the eggs almost 24/7 but it doesn't hurt to ask,right?

I'm not sure about chicken eggs, but I know it slightly increases hatch rate in quail. Tried it myself.

 

[chicken pickin]

I'm not sure about chicken eggs, but I know it slightly increases hatch rate in quail. Tried it myself.

That is interesting to hear. How many hatches did you try that with?

I used to hatch in my bedroom where the incubators got plenty of sunlight and hatches I had were great, then when I moved my incubators downstairs to the basement the hatches were less great. Same room temps as upstairs and no fluctuations, I was curious is sunlight or lack of played any part or if it was just coincidence...

 

[kbarnes]

I'm curious as well. I have mine set up in the darkest part of my kitchen but it still has plenty of ambient light.