The 7th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-A-Long!

[AmyPaperlady]

My hygrometer came!

The probe is too big for the ventilation holes :wah

Does anyone know if Incubator Warehouse is good about returns? Also, does anyone have any recommendations for a hygrometer with a probe that will fit through a pencil-sized hole?

 

[Ravynscroft]

My hygrometer came!

The probe is too big for the ventilation holes :wah

Does anyone know if Incubator Warehouse is good about returns? Also, does anyone have any recommendations for a hygrometer with a probe that will fit through a pencil-sized hole?

Incubator warehouse is good about returns, just give them a call...

I dunno about a probe one, mine is a small one I put directly in the bator...

 

[AmyPaperlady]

My hygrometer came!

The probe is too big for the ventilation holes :wah

Does anyone know if Incubator Warehouse is good about returns? Also, does anyone have any recommendations for a hygrometer with a probe that will fit through a pencil-sized hole?

Incubator warehouse is good about returns, just give them a call...

I dunno about a probe one, mine is a small one I put directly in the bator...

Good to know.

I had the same hygrometer you had for the hatch last fall, but the first chick kept flipping it over and/or sitting on it, so I couldn't exactly tell what the humidity was Even before that, though, I had a hard time positioning it so I could read it--you may remember how full my Octagon 10 was with a dozen eggs

 

[UGLYFOOT]

[COLOR=008080]It doesn't have specific directions on staggered hatching, just basic info on recommended incubating or hatching humidity levels, but I just read through the section on humidity again carefully, and it does have a note (after giving general guidlines of 40-50% RH for incubation, and 60%+ for hatching and explaining how to measure average weight loss) where it says[/COLOR] "In all cases the humidity for hatching needs to be high. Because of the short duration involved water/weight loss will not be significantly affected." [COLOR=008080]  I assume this is referring to the eggs that are NOT currently hatching?  I guess I will just have to try it out and see for myself!  [/COLOR] [COLOR=008080] I was just wondering if anyone else on here had done a similar weekly staggered hatch and had any tips from their experience. [/COLOR]   [COLOR=008080]   [/COLOR]

I am curently doing a staggered hatch in my cabinet for the first time. Just hatched using 70%RH for three days during lockdown, so will drop the humidity back down below 50% and see how it goes. Next batch goes into lockdown on Monday and will candle then and bring it back up again. I will post the outcome and see if the higher humidity made a difference.

Had some chickies hatch today. Salmon Faverolles and Welsummers. Should be getting my new bloodline faverolles eggs next week e

Awwww cuties!! Both are on my wish list.

 

[JoyfulPromise]

I stagger hatch. It's actually the only type of hatching I've ever done since I started incubating last summer. For me it's been a bit of trial and error and it's always a work in progress.

I run my incubator at about 40%. I normally add eggs to the incubator every two weeks or so, I'm was setting/adding eggs on Sundays. It just works for me; easier to remember and to have a plan to go by. My next hatch has been moved to Monday to accommodate me being away during next weekends lockdown.

I incubate and hatch in the same incubator. I raise the humidity to approx. 60%-65% at 18 days and usually get hatching happening on the 21st day. I don't have an automatic egg turner so I'm in the incubator 3 times a day (at least) the entire time, including the time of "lockdown," to turn the eggs. If you have an automatic turner and I see you have a humidity pump...that makes things a lot easier.

At 18 days I've been putting the eggs to hatch in their own tray just to keep it easier to keep track of them to watch for hatching, to keep me from turning them in case I forget and to keep most of the mess in the tray and not in the incubator. Of course the chicks always seem to hop the walls before I get them out...lol. As soon as the chicks are up and going...I put them in a smaller box with a light so they don't mess up the incubator. They sleep there for most of the first day...lol.

Below is a pic from my BYC New Years Eve hatch.



A pic of the chicks in their box.



But that's just how I do it. I've taken different parts of different information and made it work for me. Keep in mind that I'm also a very strong believer in "survival of the fittest" genetics. I'm breeding for a very strong, seasonally tough, low maintenance flock, not a 100% hatch rate. If I have 10 eggs and only 7 make it out on their own...in my way of thinking, the 3 chicks in the eggs weren't meant to be.

Everyone has their own techniques that may or may not work for the next person.
The best thing is do what works for you and work at things from there.

Thanks!

That is what I was hoping to hear - testimony that staggered hatching in the same incubator CAN work from someone who has done it. I have a feeling that I am worrying about this for no reason anyway, but it definitely helps to know that there are others who have been there, done that, even if not in the exact same incubator.

 

[JoyfulPromise]

I am curently doing a staggered hatch in my cabinet for the first time. Just hatched using 70%RH for three days during lockdown, so will drop the humidity back down below 50% and see how it goes. Next batch goes into lockdown on Monday and will candle then and bring it back up again. I will post the outcome and see if the higher humidity made a difference.

I will be eager to hear your results!

for a great hatch!

 

[GitaBooks]

Had some chickies hatch today. Salmon Faverolles and Welsummers. Should be getting my new bloodline faverolles eggs next week

Adorable chicks! Congrats!

I had a Salmon Faverolle (named My Fav) but he died the first day we got him.

I can't wait to get another and see those gorgeous feathers start growing in.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Good to know.

I had the same hygrometer you had for the hatch last fall, but the first chick kept flipping it over and/or sitting on it, so I couldn't exactly tell what the humidity was Even before that, though, I had a hard time positioning it so I could read it--you may remember how full my Octagon 10 was with a dozen eggs

Uhhhh... I *think* I remember...

Yeah, my bator is a bit bigger than yours... :/

 

[generaldsherman]

ARRGH! All my hens are getting in with my broody girl and soiling her eggs. I tried putting wire over the most of the box (she is a bantam and they aren't) and that doesn't work. I tried marking her eggs and the pencil got rubbed off. I can't move her or she'll break up. Last time this happened my hen lost all of her chicks and I don't want it to happen again. I'm so glad that Princess lets me move her. Interesting observation on my Dalmatians. They seem to "wean" their chicks as soon as they fully feathered. Princess stays with hers until they leave her (2 or so months old), but Ruby and Susie both left their chicks at only 4-5 weeks of age. Susie, sitting on the wrong nest because another hen kicked her off her own.

Move her at night and put a blanket over her new spot until she settles down again

 

[jaide]

My husbeast just bought me an incubator!!!!!!! I love that man. I was going to build one this weekend but he found this one on sale!!! He's the best.