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

[angelobutter]

Set 28 button quail eggs.
(there is a slight chance I will get two more by the end of the day since I was two eggs short this morning but we will see)

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Set 28 button quail eggs. (there is a slight chance I will get two more by the end of the day since I was two eggs short this morning but we will see)

. They are soooo tiny! I was amazed that a creature that small and newly hatched could move so fast!

 

[chicken pickin]

Set 28 button quail eggs.
(there is a slight chance I will get two more by the end of the day since I was two eggs short this morning but we will see)

I LOVE these eggs!!! Every time I see pics of quail eggs I am so tempted to try my hand at them, just for the gorgeous, tiny pieces of artwork eggs. But I will restrain myself, I hope...

 

[Amywilliams]

Set 28 button quail eggs.
(there is a slight chance I will get two more by the end of the day since I was two eggs short this morning but we will see)

So beautiful

 

[mpgo4th]

I tried. I really did but the broody silkie didnt take on the clutch until the 17th. I'm late but I hope I'm in. Shes on 3 LF mix eggs.

 

[RedIII]

Those button quail eggs are SO cute! I love the heavy mottling of coturnix eggs, too.

 

[MonTXChickens]

Oh yeah, it's great fun! I mostly enjoy being around and looking at adult chickens, they are much better looking after a year or two, to me at least. I have Heritage and rarer breeds too, so they normally take longer to grow up. I never end up having time to play or fuss over the babies, so I really start enjoying them when they are old enough to be out-and-about, and they rush over to see me. My boyfriend says they don't rush over to him or anyone else, so it makes me feel good when they recognize me. They know me as the Human-slave treat lady. But incubating and having fluffy babies is fun too. I'm sure once you have some success you'll enjoy it.

That will be nice since they didn't have to travel through the mail, I've heard they can be trickier that way. Your ameraucanas will make for really fluffy chicks!

Just in case you want the same eggs I have, we got them from Melissa and Don at Nonesuch Farm in Conroe or New Caney, Texas (borderline area). They advertise on Houston Craigslist. They have Wheaten/Blue Wheaten Ameraucanas, Salmon Faverolles, and Jubilee Orpingtons. However they are having some 'too fluffy to mate' issues with the JO's so they don't have eggs available right now. They have local pick up and ship as well. I met Don in person once (gave us tour of the farm) and talked to Melissa on the phone once so I don't know them very well but they seemed like very nice people. They are proud of their eggs and were very accommodating to us. Don't think I'm selling you here - I just like to share about people that have been nice to deal with.

 

[blkjak]

I am not sure I will have easter chicks. Broodies are sitting so I should have some Silkies hatching close to April 4. Set 47 barred rock and barnyard eggs yesterday.

 

[Junibutt]

I am curious about what happened with your humidity pump. I got one, but so typically me, I didn't test it out and just hope it works in about 19 more days. I know you were having issues. What did you learn about using it?

Turns out that the pump is working fine, it was a "user error". I had the tube looped around the rotor in the wrong direction so instead of pumping out water, it was pumping in air from the incubator. What a relief! Now I don't have to worry about the Brinsea at least.

My other incubator "(PI-24)" is funky. Its water channels are so wide, that even 1 tablespoon of water is added, humidity goes up to 45-50% but gradually over a 12-18 hr period, goes down to 30% as water dries out. So I am thinking that while I am having issues keeping the humidity stable around 35% right now, this would be a great incubator during lockdown because the humidity easily goes to 75-80% if you fill up all water channels.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I couldn't wait any longer, had to candle tonight. I see definite development in 6 out of the 20 eggs I set, so I'm excited. 4 of the 5 EE eggs, 1 of the welsummers, and 1 of wyandotte's. Reasonably certain there is also development in at least 3 others.

Got my spot check yesterday, and thought that would cure all my worries. ;P Been adjusting the temp on and off all day today; seems I can get the temp to settle in at a degree too high or a degree too low, but not right at 99.5. It's driving me nuts. So, question is, which is better? Run the temp too high or too low? Because I'm ready to give up. I need to go to bed.

A bit higher is better than lower. Plus, they will hatch a bit early.

Am I seriously the only person with Hova-Bator 1602N? I love that thing!

Of course, I wasn't loving it today when it got hot outside. Made my temps go up to 103.4. I guess it wasn't that high for long since the eggs never got hot.

I ended up putting 3 fans in the room to cool it down. It's not my bator's fault it was 83 in the room.

ETA: I don't have a turner or fan.

I have a 1602N. It's a very reliable incubator. It just needs a bit more adjusting than my Brinsea.

Okay, I got some pictures of my eggs. These first three are all different eggs. You can see how they just ...... don't look good.







This is a picture of what the four that may still be okay look like.



Input, please?

Those all look great for this stage of development.

Man! Busy busy busy! I can't imagine how quick this will go in a few weeks!

Question! How long can a broody hen sit on an egg before it is inedible?
I have a broody hen who jumps on any egg in the nest boxes. I can't collect until around 7 when I'm off of work. Are these eggs still ok to refrigerate and eat?

Yes, collecting them the same day is fine. It takes a while for them to start developing.

Also, when I turn them slowly, the darker stuff inside drifts around like loose sludge.

When you roll the egg around, the yolk will move - and the embryo is attached to the yolk.

Well I broke down and ordered my spot check from brinsea today. Hope it gets here soon. I'm worried that I may have cooked my eggs.

I've never seen my acurite or meat thermometer go above 100 but that digital one I got has said 104 a couple times. Then again when I tried to calibrate it I could never get it to say 0c. The lowest was 1.4

You'll be very happy with it.

My newly remodeled tile shower has now turned into a chick/duckling condo of sorts. My hubby is not thrilled! He says that he's gonna call that animal hoarding show.

Beautiful shower! I can see why he's not happy. It looks very clean!

Set 28 button quail eggs.
(there is a slight chance I will get two more by the end of the day since I was two eggs short this morning but we will see)

Adorable teensy weensy eggs, and such a variety of colors!

I LOVE these eggs!!! Every time I see pics of quail eggs I am so tempted to try my hand at them, just for the gorgeous, tiny pieces of artwork eggs. But I will restrain myself, I hope...

Me too, especially the Coturnix eggs.