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

[JustHenny]

Yaaay!

 

[Nomibear]

I set backyard mix on the 11th. We should hatch chicks about the same time. Hopefully. God bless your hatch.

Thank you! I need all His blessing, but I've really been praying for these guys. My last two hatches both resulted in 0 chicks. I need my confidence back...

How do you turn them all when they're in there like that? Can you just put something under the incubator and keep switching sides?
I have a staggered hatch going on right now too. I put 14 in last monday,11 in this Monday and adding another 6 tomorrow (shipped eggs coming today). This is my first attempt at a staggered hatch. I need to get the little giant up and running her in a couple days and try to get the temps stable since it's going to be my hatcher. I've never used it yet lol.

I use dowels through my incubator to creat different levels.
Since I will be incubating and hatching in the same cooler-bater, I would LOVE any tips on how to do that safely for the eggs that aren't due yet.

 

[Hatching Addict]

How do you turn them all when they're in there like that? Can you just put something under the incubator and keep switching sides?
I have a staggered hatch going on right now too. I put 14 in last monday,11 in this Monday and adding another 6 tomorrow (shipped eggs coming today). This is my first attempt at a staggered hatch. I need to get the little giant up and running her in a couple days and try to get the temps stable since it's going to be my hatcher. I've never used it yet lol.

Yep, you guessed it. I just used a 2x4 and put it under one side. I'd swap it three times a day...so roughly every 8 hours. With all those eggs...it was pretty heavy. I actually got the idea from off of BYC forums. I saw/read that someone had done it...and I couldn't resist.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Welcome to everyone joining us!

 

[SoManyHats]

Can we get the hatching 101 link added to the first post? Thank you!

 

[myfivegirls]

If everything goes as planned, I'll be joining you all for the Easter Hatch-a-Long.
I separated my breeding groups the first part of February, so they'll have a month to make sure the right roosters have fertilized the eggs.
Planning on hatching Swedish Flower Hens, Bielefelders (for the 1st time from my own flock! - can't wait!),
and whatever room I have left over, I'll fill up with eggs from my "Catskill Homesteader" breeding project.
Trying out some new roosters from last year's CH hatches, so it'll be fun to see what they produce.

Joined this HAL two years ago when I first used my new Genesis 1588 incubator. Working on a coolerbator now, so I can have staggered hatches.

Doing a "test hatch" now, due March 6-7th, to make sure everything's working ok & just because I need a chick fix!
October was the last time I had chicks, and while looking at all the photos from last year helps, I want some real live ones!
Not sure how many will hatch this first time, as they weren't separated yet & too many hens for the roosters to cover everyone.
Plus, it's been very cold, even though I collected the eggs frequently so they wouldn't get too chilled.
I'm hoping that it will warm up in time for the HAL.

 

[jbkirk]

My hatch wasn't that great about 60-65%, but it was due to the eggs not being fertile and to high humidity. I've learned that I can have hatch rates of 80% and up by doing a dry hatch.

Ventilation didn't seem to be a problem, especially since none of the eggs were completely covered. My incubator also has a fan...not sure I would want to try it in with a still air incubator...but that doesn't mean that it couldn't be done.

I haven't tried to do a big hatch since I've discovered doing dry hatches....but I can feel it coming on...especially since I've have gotten another incubator to use as a hatcher.....

My latest and highest hatch rate was yesterday at 75%

 

[jgoldy2]

If anybody hatches a nice pure bred Quail Antwarp Belgium Rooster I cold posably adopt 1

 

[campingshaws]

If everything goes as planned, I'll be joining you all for the Easter Hatch-a-Long.
I separated my breeding groups the first part of February, so they'll have a month to make sure the right roosters have fertilized the eggs.
Planning on hatching Swedish Flower Hens, Bielefelders (for the 1st time from my own flock! - can't wait!),
and whatever room I have left over, I'll fill up with eggs from my "Catskill Homesteader" breeding project.
Trying out some new roosters from last year's CH hatches, so it'll be fun to see what they produce.

Joined this HAL two years ago when I first used my new Genesis 1588 incubator. Working on a coolerbator now, so I can have staggered hatches.

Doing a "test hatch" now, due March 6-7th, to make sure everything's working ok & just because I need a chick fix!
October was the last time I had chicks, and while looking at all the photos from last  year helps, I want some real live ones!
Not sure how many will hatch this first time, as they weren't separated yet & too many hens for the roosters to cover everyone.
Plus, it's been very cold, even though I collected the eggs frequently so they wouldn't get too chilled.
I'm hoping that it will warm up in time for the HAL. 

Please tell me more about your "Catskills Homesteader"

 

[Jessorr2]

I'm in!