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

[Wisher1000]

Looks like my next hatching system. Thank you for the visual. Which brand incubator are you using? -DB

Is this post for me? I have a GQF Sportsman and three styrobators that I use for hatching. I use the cabinet bator for the first 18 - 19 days, then move them to the styrobators for the hatching. I can raise the humidity in the styros and not have to clean (except for a quick wipe down with a Clorox Wipe) the big bator between sets. The pic of the chick hatching above was taken just a few minutes ago. They are due tomorrow and that little Campine is the first to hatch. There are about ten or so that have pips.

As for the cut down egg cartons, I can fit an 18 egg carton and half a 12 egg carton in the styrobator in one end, wall to wall, and it is snug. That leaves more room for the chicks to play while waiting on the others to hatch.

I see how you think of it, Ron, and as long as you keep it straight in your own mind, it works, too. I just think in terms of 24 hour increments (days) and it is not one day old until one day has passed. Truthfully, I don't keep up with it very specifically, I just try to remember to move them from the bator to the hatcher a day or so before they hatch. Sometimes, I move them when I hear peeping from the bator.

Sometimes I move them when I find a chick in the bottom of the cabinet bator.

 

[Cynthia12]

Will my eggs be okay with 65% humidity the first couple of days? I want to set more today, but as of now I still have a few stragglers from my test hatch that need the higher humidity.

What have you got in there? Chicken eggs do best with it a lot lower. 65 is for lock down for chicks. If ducks..I may be wrong, but that still may be a bit high? Chicks..everyone is different..I do the real low..30 to 35% during incubation. 60 to 62% for lock down.

 

[Cynthia12]

I am very sad I have to pull out. My hen that started to go broody decided she wasn't to serious about and stopped sitting

So sorry.

 

[Darnbunnies]

Thank you for the information. -DB

 

[Cynthia12]

Here is a great video showing when and what is developing inside your eggs!

 

[Cynthia12]

And, I love this one!!

 

[Razadia]

I did have a bunch of things multiquoted, but my computer gave up on me. I just got through all the posts.

Ducky Girl is laying again! Maybe this time she'll stay on the nest.

I have learned that I have a slight problem with seeing certain colors of blue. They actually look green if a slightly brighter color of blue is present. My new favorite color is green since I have no problems seeing the true color.

I need to see an eye doctor that isn't going to make me wear glasses just because I'm dyslexic. Glasses don't turn the letters and numbers back around the right way.

I'm kinda tired, so nothing I say makes a lot of sense.

 

[Mama Bay]

The egg starts developing within an hour of setting.

If the eggs are set before noon, the first day counts since it will have developed for 11 hours or more.

The app mentioned before and the calculator I posted count set day as day one.

Added: we get into this with each hatch a long. It matters because if you do not calculate the days correctly, incubation temps can be off.

Ok lol I hope I didn't start anything

I set mine between 12:30 and 1 pm so day 7 will be next Saturday correct?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Is this post for me? I have a GQF Sportsman and three styrobators that I use for hatching. I use the cabinet bator for the first 18 - 19 days, then move them to the styrobators for the hatching. I can raise the humidity in the styros and not have to clean (except for a quick wipe down with a Clorox Wipe) the big bator between sets. The pic of the chick hatching above was taken just a few minutes ago. They are due tomorrow and that little Campine is the first to hatch. There are about ten or so that have pips.

As for the cut down egg cartons, I can fit an 18 egg carton and half a 12 egg carton in the styrobator in one end, wall to wall, and it is snug. That leaves more room for the chicks to play while waiting on the others to hatch.

I see how you think of it, Ron, and as long as you keep it straight in your own mind, it works, too. I just think in terms of 24 hour increments (days) and it is not one day old until one day has passed. Truthfully, I don't keep up with it very specifically, I just try to remember to move them from the bator to the hatcher a day or so before they hatch. Sometimes, I move them when I hear peeping from the bator.

Sometimes I move them when I find a chick in the bottom of the cabinet bator.

x2 I agree. 24 hours after set. A baby isn't a day old until it's 24 hours.

 

[bekkanblue]

The covers that Premier has for their heat plates are a great idea. For those who use the EcoGlows or don't have covers - I cover mine with Glad Press n' Seal. Makes clean-up much easier.

The hot plates are easy to clean. I don't get the covers, and haven't remembered to get press n seal! Just scrub it with a sponge and it cleans right up. My guys have way too much fun BASE jumping off the top to use the cover. Lol