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

[swampducks]

I want to do this for the spring, we had only 3 days where we had 50 degree weather. Then it turned cold again. I thought I missed my window of opportunity. I am thankful that I didn't.

I have a driveway lined with old maple trees. I heard there is a lot of boiling and I want to be up to it. However I have to research when I need to tap them here where I live. Thank you for sharing...it seems there are a lot of people on here with interest in making syrip and/or candy.

My DH has learned a lot from a website called mapletrader.com. Apparently the best weather is highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s. Nights need to be below freezing to get the sap pumping, or something like that. If your trees aren't fully budded you've got a chance.

 

[mlm Mike]

reading some of the posts,

it appears that some are changing total eggs set with every mishap or candle,

is that what the judges want?

No, we are not updating the Total Set list based on candling and mishaps. Of course people are welcome to discuss what they find candling and how many they have left.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I need help!
Can someone please send me a private message, my post will get lost in this thread!
I have a little giant still air, I did not trust the digital thermometer so I added my own. Placed next to the eggs it reads 98, placed on top, right under the heater it reads 106! Please help I don't want to kill my eggs

You are best to get an accurate thermometer. I have the Brinsea spot check and it's accurate to .1 degree. It's about $30.

I just have to see what the little buggers are up to. I saw little feet today.
Does anyone know why some have bigger air spaces than others?

I would imagine more air getting into the egg, or an older egg.

Anyone ever have an egg stuck in the egg turner?

Yes, they seep and get stuck to the turner. Unfortunately, it broke when I was trying to get it out. Luckily, I already took all of the other eggs out and I was trying to get it out over the sink. It may help if you run water over it first.

reading some of the posts,

it appears that some are changing total eggs set with every mishap or candle,

is that what the judges want?

No. We want the original number set. If you take eggs out after the start of incubation, that will affect how many will hatch, but not how many were set.

Quote: All of you are making me jealous with all of this syrup talk. Us CA folks don't get to experience this. I get my pure maple syrup from the store, and it's darn expensive!

 

[LadyHawkeAvry]

Same here, I would never move the entire incubator to another room just for candling its not worth the possibility of having an accident while carrying them. I just wait till dark and candle then.

Congrats on the spiders! I might candle tomorrow but my plan is to wait till day 10. I don't want to handle them too much.

My main incubator is huge and way too heavy to move. I set up a pillow to sit on, my scale, logbook, and light after dark and pull eggs one by one from the incubator. I do it as part of a scheduled turn, so as I do each one, i set them in the other direction and have a visual reminder of who is done. This way, the incubator isn't open for very long at any time, and only one egg is exposed at a time. For the waterfowl, I do it as part of a cool down - I open up the incubator, and do my candling and weights while the eggs cool. By the time I'm done, it's time to mist everyone down and put the lid back on. In both cases, I don't do any extra movement of anything. Haven't broken anybody yet! (Watch me drop one tonight during my scheduled candle & weigh...)

 

[tntchix]

Getting stronger, but still the occasional coughing fit and the accompanying chest and back pain.

I bought a pineapple yesterday but it wasn't quite ripe enough. It did seem to help some. It's still good for what ails me.

They're good for reading surface temperature but unless you spend thousands, they'll only be accurate to within 2% which doesn't tell you much of anything for the purpose of incubating.
That said, here's a variety for your perusal.
http://www.thermoworks.com/products/ir/

Good luck.

CC, try this if you want for the cough:
1 tsp cinnamon to 6-8 oz boiling water in mug let steep.
Add 2 tbsp raw honey after water cools a bit, (do not add to boiling water)
You can also add lemon or acv
I'm glad you are feeling a little better.

 

[Peep-Chicken]

One of the eggs is day 8 today

 

[JDchicks]

 

[calientepocket]

You all candle too much! I haven't touched mine.

I haven't touched mine either. Tomorrow though!

 

[bamadude]

I need help!
Can someone please send me a private message, my post will get lost in this thread!
I have a little giant still air, I did not trust the digital thermometer so I added my own. Placed next to the eggs it reads 98, placed on top, right under the heater it reads 106! Please help I don't want to kill my eggs

I have tried, tried, and tried everything possible to get good hatches with that bator. Nothing works. I sold my 9300 on craigslist for $10 and apologized to the person who bought it.
I then "upgraded" to the 10300 forced air model. It has a pretend fan.
The only thing the digital little giants could possibly be used for is an emergency floation device in case of flooding

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

I have tried, tried, and tried everything possible to get good hatches with that bator. Nothing works. I sold my 9300 on craigslist for $10 and apologized to the person who bought it.
I then "upgraded" to the 10300 forced air model. It has a pretend fan.
The only thing the digital little giants could possibly be used for is an emergency floation device in case of flooding

or an emergency beer cooler...