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

[bantambury]

That is good to hear. I've ordered lavender Ameraucana eggs, and that's a breed I've wanted for a long, long time. I'll be thrilled if any hatch. They're traveling a long way.

Last year, every single salmon Faverolle I set in the TSC model hatched and did great. I think the other breeds maybe had fertility issues, the hens hated the rooster and often drop kicked him.
So, that TSC model does a very, very good job. You're in for many chicks

oooh! same for me with seramas! my eggs came from CA!

I'm hoping for a broody.

Put them in a egg carton wide end up and let them rest before setting them. I usually do about 8 hours on shipped eggs, but I've set them 4 hours later too and been fine.

will I get a broody by Saturday? probably not. LOL
OOOHHHH...I have them wide end up, and I was going to wait 48 hours...is that TOO long?

 

[bekkanblue]

For people with Hav-A-Bators, which model do you have?

 

[LadyHawkeAvry]

wow that's great! how do you let your shipped eggs settle? I got mine today and have NO IDEA WHAT TO DO

Candle your eggs when they arrive. Look for cracks and note the condition of the air space. Usually after a few days in transit, it is mobile and may have some air bubbles around the edge. Put them in a cool spot large side up in an egg carton. Tilt the carton to each side a few times a day, and leave them be for at least a day. The goal is to correct the disruption in the air space that can be caused by shipping, and to allow any bubbles caused by the trip to rise to the top and rejoin the rest of the air in the space. After 24 hours, candle them and if the air space is mobile or there are still some bubbles in the air space, let the eggs sit a bit more. I have found that 24 hours usually does the trick. Once they look like real eggs again, set those bad boys!!!!!

 

[nate1the1great1]

LETS GET READY TOOOO SETTTT EGGS

 

[bantambury]

Candle your eggs when they arrive. Look for cracks and note the condition of the air space. Usually after a few days in transit, it is mobile and may have some air bubbles around the edge. Put them in a cool spot large side up in an egg carton. Tilt the carton to each side a few times a day, and leave them be for at least a day. The goal is to correct the disruption in the air space that can be caused by shipping, and to allow any bubbles caused by the trip to rise to the top and rejoin the rest of the air in the space. After 24 hours, candle them and if the air space is mobile or there are still some bubbles in the air space, let the eggs sit a bit more. I have found that 24 hours usually does the trick. Once they look like real eggs again, set those bad boys!!!!!

awesome thanks! ill try that out! so just tilt the carton a bit so the eggs move and put it back to its regular position?

 

[LadyCluck77]

LETS GET READY TOOOO SETTTT EGGS

It's so good to have something to look forward to, isn't it? Those eggs are itching to go in the incubator, as soon as tomorrow gets here, then watching and waiting with excitement here
How's the weather been at your neck of the woods Nate?

 

[Math]

My wife is so sneaky!!! She told me to get the incubator (LG still air) out and get it ready for the HAL. I went to my man cave where I keep my stuff and she had got me a brand new FI 4200 she had it setting on top of my Lg. Gotta love surprises.

Congratulations.
Our wives are enablers, aren't they.

My wife texted me today to say that my mother-in-law wants some chicks.
So, eggs go into the incubator very soon. The fun continues.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Quote: I filled up my little incubator and set some under my broody about two weeks ago, but I don't really have enough eggs to start my big one up. So I am hatching, just not for this hatch-a-long.

 

[ChickenFox]

I too have the Farm Innovators! I've hatched nothing but shipped eggs in it and get about 60% hatch rate. Not bad considering how damaged some of the eggs have been. I even hatched a cracked silkie egg in it last year. can't wait to see how well it does with non shipped eggs.

wow that's great! how do you let your shipped eggs settle? I got mine today and have NO IDEA WHAT TO DO

I think a few others answered your question but I'll tell you what I do too I let mine rest big end up in a carton for at least 24 hours. I know some people say to tilt them a few times a day but I usually don't. I do candle before though to check for cracks an if I do find a crack that's not bad I'll put a coat of clear nail polish on it. It worked great on my silkie last year. Any eggs that are leaking get tossed. If you do seal a crack be diligent about giving it the sniff test. You don't want an exploding egg in your bator. I also don't turn my egg turner on the first day in the incubator. Thats probably a no no but it's what I do. Everyone has their own way of doing things and not everything works for everyone. Trial and error.

 

[LadyHawkeAvry]

awesome thanks! ill try that out! so just tilt the carton a bit so the eggs move and put it back to its regular position?

I put a folded washcloth under one side and just move it to the other side a few times a day, It's basically hand turning while keeping the wide end upright by alternating the position of the washcloth over the course of the day. You want the air space to set, but you don't want the embryo to stick.