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

[HugHess]

I though it was necessary to incubate up right, big side up. But for lock down the eggs should be laid down?

I am with Ron on this one. My experience, I have only done one horizontal hatch, in a new to me Brinsea. All else have either hatched inside bottom of carton or I prop them up on the top of the egg carton using its vent holes.

 

[blkjak]

I have an autoturner. At lockdown I put the eggs in the top part of the cardboard carton horizontal for hatching.

 

[chicken pickin]

So confusing.... I read and read and thought you laid shipping eggs down for hatch. Ugh.

Ron is right. Shipped eggs are best left upright, wide end up.

 

[HugHess]

I am trying my pullet's eggs for my second attempt at the horizontal hatch, but not with shipped eggs...
I have had too much success and worked too hard to assure they have had a fair shot at hatching to give wonky air cells any chance to interfere with an egg that made it to lockdown.
I don't care how ya lay 'em, I wish you all a happy, healthy hatching!

 

[holm25]

Well of the 18 eggs I set under the 2 broodies I am down to 4!!! 2 Barred rocks went through and ate a bunch of eggs!! Worst part is I saw development in all but 3 eggs! Sadly we culled those hens cuz we have had NO success breaking egg eaters

 

[Kaylish]

Same here, my DH would kill me. I already got kicked out of the garage, the well house and all outbuildings. I now brood chicks in a small coop.

I just moved my brooder from DH garage into my office in the house...we'll see how long that lasts.

This may be. Silly question... But can a bantam cochin roo do his manly "job" with a large fowl hen and produce viable eggs? His eggs with other bantams have been fertile so far.

Absolutely! Though it's pretty funny to watch and not all LF ladies will allow it.

 

[Cynthia12]

On Monday we candled our 29 eggs, and had to remove 7. We are down to 22 in the incubator at this time. We have started our "Guess who Breaks Out First" contest here at Aster Retirement, and as usual have a lot of buzz going around the building in anticipation, and we get to share all those wonderful memories of chasing chickens around the yard when we were young, and our favorite "cluck hen".

some from last year.


And even when they have grown they make a return visit.

Love it!!

 

[Cynthia12]

So confusing.... I read and read and thought you laid shipping eggs down for hatch. Ugh.

I do, out of the two batches that I got shipped, one is doing well, one isn't. Sadly, had to take out quite a few of my winning Marans. Some are very dark and I can see the air sacs..a couple are quite high, most of the others are doing what I now understand the meaning of...glowing.

I went ahead and opened 4, nothing, no blood, not even a start of anything. I fear this may be the case with most of the others.
On the other had, some silkie eggs that I got, 6 out of 8 are doing great. On their sides.

 

[Cynthia12]

Anxious are you? Waiting on those eggs..well, this makes me anxious just watching it...maybe he knows about a beautiful looking clutch of eggs up there and he's going for them! Worth the trip.

 

[Sambi89]

Quote:
I lay my eggs down shipped or not, it's just my preference, and I've had really great hatch rates!